Perineural space invasion in cervical cancer (FIGO IB1-IIB) accompanied by high-risk factors for recurrence

• Published in: Journal of cancer research and therapeutics Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 957 - 961
• Main Authors: Skręt-Magierło, Joanna E, Soja, Paweł J, Skręt, Andrzej, Kruczek, Andrzej, Kaznowska, Ewa, Wicherek, Łukasz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01-10-2014; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: Aged; Carcinoma - pathology; Carcinoma - therapy; Cervical cancer; Development and progression; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - pathology; Neoplasm Staging; Peripheral Nerves - pathology; Prognosis; Recurrence (Disease); Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - pathology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - therapy
• ISSN: 0973-1482; 1998-4138
• DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.138126

Perineural space invasion (PSI) represents a poor prognostic factor in various carcinomas. Studies on PSI in cervical cancer patients are scarce and report discrepant results regarding its incidence and prognostic value.
The aim of the following study was to evaluate the occurrence rate and prognostic significance of parametrial PSI in patients cervical cancer (FIGO IB1-IIB), accompanied by high-risk factors for recurrence.
We reviewed clinical records and pathology slides of patients with cervical cancer after radical hysterectomy. Only patients with at least one of following factors: Depth of invasion of ≥15 mm, parametrial and lymph node involvement, were enrolled in the study.
A total of 50 patients fulfilled the above mentioned criteria. Parametrial PSI was found in 9 (18%) patients (Group I), whereas the remaining 41 (82%) subjects constituted group II. The presence of PSI proved to correlate with the depth of invasion of ≥15 mm (P=0.006) and tumor size of ≥40 mm (P=0.01), as well as a more advanced stage of the disease (P=0.04). No statistically significant differences in recurrence-free survival rate between the two groups were observed.
We were able to correlate parametrial PSI with the depth of invasion, tumor size and more advanced stage of the disease in early-stage cervical cancer with high-risk of recurrence. No association with a worse prognosis was observed.