Evaluation of carcinoma cervix using magnetic resonance imaging: Correlation with clinical FIGO staging and impact on management

Added value of radiological staging to clinical examination in different histopathological subtypes of uterine cervical cancer: A retrospective study

Objective

Accurate staging of uterine cervical cancer (UCC) is crucial for treatment guidance and prognostic predictions. This study investigated the added value of conventional diagnostic imaging for different histopathological subtypes of UCC by comparing clinical staging according to International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics staging system (cFIGO) and radiological staging (rFIGO) with histopathological staging (pFIGO) as reference.

Methods

26 consecutive patients with UCC from the retrospective part of the PRODIGYN study (ethical approval number 2022-04207-01; NCT05855941) were included in the present study. Data from study participants was collected from radiological and histopathological records 2016-2022 at the University hospital of Umeå. Staging was assessed according to the FIGO 2018 staging system. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and Cohen's weighted kappa coefficient (κ) for calculation of agreement between cFIGO and rFIGO, and between rFIGO and pFIGO.

Results

With rFIGO staging, more advanced disease stages were found in 67 % (8/12 patients with known cFIGO). Poor agreement was found between cFIGO and rFIGO (κ =0.057) and between rFIGO and pFIGO (κ= 0169). Among the patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) positive for human papilloma virus (HPV+), 67 % (4/6) were assigned a higher stage by rFIGO compared to cFIGO. For the single patients with HPV-negative SCC and HPV status unknown SCC, both were upstaged by rFIGO. In the case of adenocarcinomas, 67 % (2/3) of the patients were assigned a higher stage with rFIGO.

Conclusions

In primary staging of UCC, rFIGO leads to substantial up-staging compared to cFIGO, without obvious differences in subtypes.

Recent Advances and Adaptive Strategies in Image Guidance for Cervical Cancer Radiotherapy

The standard of care for locally advanced cervical cancer is external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with simultaneous chemotherapy followed by an internal radiation boost. New imaging methods such as positron-emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been implemented into daily practice for better tumor delineation in radiotherapy planning. The method of delivering radiation has changed with technical advances in qualitative imaging and treatment delivery. Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) plays an important role in minimizing treatment toxicity of pelvic radiation and provides a superior conformality for sparing the organs at risk (OARs) such as bone marrow, bowel, rectum, and bladder. Similarly, three-dimensional image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (3D-IGABT) with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been reported to improve target coverage and reduce the dose to normal tissues. Brachytherapy is a complementary part of radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer and, over the past 20 years, 3D-image-based brachytherapy has rapidly evolved and established itself as the gold standard. With new techniques and adaptive treatment in cervical cancer, the concept of personalized medicine is introduced with an enhanced comprehension of the therapeutic index not only in terms of volume (three-dimensional) but during treatment too (four-dimensional). Current data show promising results with integrated IGRT and IGABT in clinical practice and, therefore, better local control and overall survival while reducing treatment-related morbidity. This review gives an overview of the substantial impact that occurred in the progress of image-guided adaptive external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy.

Prognostic impact of tumor size reduction assessed by magnetic resonance imaging after radiochemotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a key exam used for the initial assessment of loco-regional involvement of cervical cancer. In patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, MRI is used to evaluate the early response to radiochemotherapy before image-guided brachytherapy, the prognostic impact of which we aimed to study.

METHODS

Patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated using concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by closure treatment between January 2010 and December 2015 were included in this study. Clinical, anatomopathological, radiological, therapeutic, and follow-up data were evaluated.

RESULTS

After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria to the initially chosen 310 patients, 232 were included for evaluation (median follow-up period, 5.3 years). The median age was 50 years (range, 25-83 years), and the median tumor size was 47.5 mm (range, 0-105 mm). Based on the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics classification system, 9 patients were in stage IB2; 20, IB3; 2, IIA; 63, IIB; 4, IIIA; 7, IIIB; and 127, IIIC1 or higher. The re-evaluation MRI was performed at the median dose of 55.5 Gy, and median reduction in tumor size was 55.2% (range, -20-100%). There was a difference between the disease-free and overall survival rates of the patients with a tumor response greater or lesser than 50%. The risk of recurrence or death reduced by 39% in patients with a tumor size reduction >50%. The overall 5-year survival rate of patients with a response greater and lesser than 50% were 77.7% and 61.5%, respectively. The 5-year disease-free survival rate for these two groups of patients were 68.8% and 51.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms the prognostic impact of tumor size reduction using MRI data obtained after radiochemotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Can MRI Be Used as a Sole Diagnostic Modality in Determining Clinical Stage in Cervical Cancer?

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare staging by MRI to clinical staging in patients with cervical cancer and to determine the histological accuracy of staging by MRI and examination under anesthesia (EUA) in early stage disease.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer between 2010 and 2020 at the Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands. Pretreatment stage (FIGO 2009) by MRI was compared with staging by EUA. Diagnostic accuracy in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value was calculated for MRI and EUA in patients undergoing surgery (early stage disease) with histological results as a reference standard.

RESULTS

A total of 358 patients were included in the study and MRI-based stage differed from EUA stage in 30.7%. In 12.3% this meant a discrepancy in treatment assignment between MRI and EUA. Diagnostic accuracy of MRI in terms of sensitivity and specificity for detecting early stage disease was comparable to EUA in surgical patients. Further analyses showed that premenopausal status, early stage disease and a tumor diameter of <2 cm were associated with improved comparability of MRI and EUA (98%).

CONCLUSION

There is still a large discrepancy between MRI and EUA. In patients with suspected early stage disease, diagnostic accuracy of MRI is similar to EUA, especially for premenopausal women with early stage disease and a tumor diameter of <2 cm.

Correlation of clinical staging and MRI staging for cervical cancer

Background

Cervical cancer is a major public health problem for women. Accurate staging may lead to proper management of cervical cancer. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with cervical cancer who underwent pre-treatment MRI between January 2009 and December 2018 and analyzed the correlation between the clinical staging and MRI staging.

Results

Correlation of overall clinical and MRI staging by percent agreement is moderate (73.9%), but the kappa coefficient showed a slight correlation. The correlation of clinical and MRI findings in the vaginal invasion, pelvic sidewall invasion, adjacent pelvic organ invasion, and spreading to distant organ also showed moderate-to-strong correlation by percent agreement (ranging from 67.6 to 91.9%) but slight correlation between clinical and MRI examinations by kappa or weighted kappa coefficient (K = 0.000–0.128w).

Conclusion

In patients with cervical cancer, pretreatment MRI provides higher spatial soft tissue resolution which can define pelvic tumor extent, including a more accurate assessment of tumor size (due to multiplanar evaluation), parametrial invasion, pelvic sidewall invasion, and adjacent pelvic organ invasion. This could potentially lead to a reduction in staging morbidity by invasive investigation such as cystoscopy and proctoscopy.

Impact of incorporating Magnetic Resonance Imaging in FIGO Staging of Primary Carcinoma Cervix: Experience from a tertiary cancer center

BACKGROUND

International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging of carcinoma cervix, although essentially clinical, acknowledges the benefits of MRI. The impact of incorporating MRI in staging of cervical cancer and the discordance between clinical-and MRI-based FIGO staging is not well studied, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

AIM

We aim to study the role and accuracy of MRI in staging carcinoma cervix, its correlation with clinical FIGO and histopathological staging with emphasis on how it can change treatment plan.

METHODS

Retrospective observational cohort study (n = 193) where MRI details of different staging parameters of the study subjects were compared with clinical FIGO staging and histopathology to assess correlation and agreement between them. Change of clinical FIGO stage and hence treatment plan brought about by incorporating MRI was assessed.

RESULTS

MRI had a tumor detection rate of 94.3%, overall staging accuracy of 78.3% and very strong correlation with histopathology (Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation, r = 0.886). Clinical FIGO and MRI had agreement only in 52.8% cases (r = 0.61). Incorporating MRI changed the clinical stage in 47.2% patients and subsequently modified primary treatment plan in 23.3%.

CONCLUSION

MRI is highly accurate in evaluating carcinoma cervix and has good correlation with histopathology. Our data shows low agreement between MRI and clinical FIGO staging. Thus, incorporating MRI in FIGO staging has considerable impact in altering treatment decisions and should be offered to all patients for staging carcinoma cervix.

Current update on vaginal malignancies

Primary vaginal cancers are rare and account for 1-3% of all gynecologic malignancies. There are several histological subtypes that affect a wide range of the population. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning of vaginal cancers. This article reviews the relevant anatomy, clinical findings, imaging characteristics, and recent advances in the management of vaginal malignancies.

Volume Delineation in Cervical Cancer With T2 and Diffusion-weighted MRI: Agreement on Volumes Between Observers

AIM

To delineate cervical cancer gross tumor volume (GTV) on T2-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, assessing volumes and inter-observer agreement between two observers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A radiologist and a radiation oncologist delineated GTV on T2 (T2_GTV) and ADC (ADC_GTV) sequences. Dice similarity index (DICE) and Bland-Altman analysis were used to estimated concordance.

RESULTS

Mean T2_GTV and ADC_GTV volumes were 43.84±71.47 cc and 37.28±68.92 cc according to the radiologist, and 43.4±70.44 cc and 36.65±69.21 cc according to the radiation oncologist. ADC led to statistically significantly smaller volumes compared to T2. The mean DICE index was 0.86 for T2_GTV and 0.84 for ADC_GTV The Bland-Altman plots globally showed concordance.

CONCLUSION

GTV delineation was smaller in the ADC maps compared to T2-MRI, reaching an almost perfect agreement between observers. Thanks to this acceptable variability, adding functional imaging might provide more information for tumor delineation, improving reproducibility for image-guided adaptive radiotherapy.

Role of ADC values in assessing clinical response and identifying residual disease post-chemo radiation in uterine cervix cancer

Objectives:

To evaluate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in assessing response after chemo-radiotherapy in cervix cancer and investigate the utility of ADC as a tool to identify residual disease, after the treatment completion.

Methods:

A prospective study was done in 100 patients with histopathologically proven cancer of uterine cervix who were classified as either complete response (CR) or residual disease posttreatment. MRI was done pretreatment and after 6 weeks post-treatment with chemo-radiation. 53 patients among the cohort also underwent a fluoro-deoxy glucose positron-emission computed tomography (FDG-PET CT). ADC values, change in ADC values, and metabolic activity obtained from FDG-PET CT were correlated with clinical outcome, and statistical analysis was done to determine the better tool for assessing response evaluation between ADC and PET-CT.

Results:

Residual lesions have notably lower ADC value than that of posttreatment changes. The mean ADC values of residual tumors: 1.26 ± 0.238 × 10⁻³ mm²/s and mean ADC values of lesions due to posttreatment changes: 1.540 ± 0.218 × 10⁻³ mm²/s (statistically significant difference between malignant and posttreatment lesions, P < 0.05). ADC has 67% sensitivity, 83% specificity, 35% positive predictive values (PPV), 95% negative predictive values (NPV), and 81% accuracy in differentiating residual disease from post treatment changes. PPV, NPV, sensitivity, and specificity with PET-CT were 93%, 89%, 98%, and 73%, respectively. PPV, NPV, sensitivity, and specificity of contrast MRI were 16%, 91%, 58%, and 59%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Diffusion imaging differentiates residual cervix malignancies from post treatment changes based on ADC values and can be a promising and evocative biomarker. Complimentary use of ADC and PET/CT may increase diagnostic confidence.

Integrated pre-surgical diagnostic algorithm to define extent of disease in cervical cancer

OBJECTIVES

Survival of patients with cervical cancer is strongly associated with the local extent of the primary disease. The aim of the study was to develop an integrated diagnostic algorithm, including ultrasonography (USG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and examination under anesthesia, to define the local extent of disease in patients with newly diagnosed cervical cancer.

METHODS

Patients with biopsy proven cervical cancer who underwent primary surgery from January 2013 to December 2018 in four participating centers were recruited. Patients who underwent USG, MRI, and examination under anesthesia prior to surgery were included in the study. Those for whom complete data were not available were excluded. Data regarding tumor size, parametrial invasion, and vaginal involvement obtained by USG, MRI, and examination under anesthesia were retrieved and compared with final histology. Specificity and sensitivity of the three methods were calculated for each parameter and the methods were compared with each other. An integrated pre-surgical algorithm was constructed considering the accuracy of each diagnostic method for each parameter.

RESULTS

A total of 79 consecutive patients were included in the study. Median age was 53 years (range 28-87) and median body mass index was 24.6 kg/m2 (range 16-43). Fifty-five (69.6%) patients had squamous carcinoma, 18 (22.8%) patients had adenocarcinoma, and six (7.6%) patients had other histological subtypes. A statistically significant difference among the three methods was found for detecting tumor size (p=0.002 for tumors >2 cm and p=0.006 for tumors >4 cm) and vaginal involvement (p=0.01). There was no difference in detection of parametrial invasion between USG, MRI, and examination under anesthesia (p=0.26). Furthermore, regarding tumor size assessment, USG was found to be the significantly better method (p<0.01 for tumors >2 cm and p=0.02 for tumors >4 cm). Examination under anesthesia was the most accurate method for detection of vaginal involvement (p=0.01). Examination under anesthesia and MRI had higher accuracy than USG for identification of parametrial invasion. Application of the algorithm provided the correct definition of local extent of disease in 77.2% of patients (p=0.04). USG was the most accurate method to determine tumor size, while examination under anesthesia was found to be more accurate in prediction of vaginal involvement.

CONCLUSION

Our integrated diagnostic algorithm allows a higher accuracy in defining the local extent of disease and may be used as a tool to determine the therapeutic approach in women with cervical cancer.

MRI of cervical cancer with a surgical perspective: staging, prognostic implications and pitfalls

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis is the most reliable imaging modality for staging, treatment planning, and follow-up of cervical cancer; and its findings may now be incorporated into the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Federation (FIGO) 2018 clinical staging of cervical cancer. It is imperative that radiologists are familiar with the imaging appearance of the different stages of cervical cancer as well as the post-treatment changes and imaging pitfalls given the respective clinical manifestations, treatment regimens, and prognosis of an accurate diagnosis. In addition to the different stages of cervical cancer, we address the imaging techniques for diagnosis, staging and treatment implications as well as the changes of the new FIGO staging system.

BACKGROUND

The use of MRI to diagnose and stage cervical cancer is steadily increasing and the new FIGO stagi ng system, previously based on clinical examination, now allows the staging or change of staging based on the imaging findings. MRI can evaluate the extent of disease because of its excellent contrast resolution for pelvic tissues and organs, high accuracy and detailed elaboration of the cervical/uterovaginal anatomy.

CONTENT

Relevant anatomy, including normal MRI appearance of the cervix, parametria and pelvic ligaments; different stages of cervical cancer on MRI with prognostic and therapeutic implications; MRI sequences, other imaging modalities used in the staging and follow-up, treatment of different stages and the appearance of the cervix and cervical cancer post-treatment. Since clinical implications and therapeutic strategies for cervical cancer treatment vary tremendously according to degree of tumor extension, familiarity with relevant MRI techniques and findings is essential for radiologists. It is important that radiologists interpreting pelvic MRI are aware with the different stages of cervical cancer to provide useful information regarding treatment and prognosis. Pitfalls regarding the interpretation of tumor extension can interfere with an accurate diagnosis and have significant therapeutic implications.

Impact of pelvic MRI in routine clinical practice on staging of IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on staging of IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer in routine clinical practice. Patients and Methods: A total of 1,016 patients with IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer who underwent primary surgery and preoperative pelvic MRI between January 2009 and December 2015 were identified in a retrospective multicentre study. Data on clinical stage, MRI reports and surgicopathologic findings were extracted from medical records. The impact of MRI on clinical staging was evaluated by comparison before and after combination of MRI. Using surgicopathologic findings as the reference standard, the impact of pelvic MRI on the accuracy of clinical staging was evaluated. Furthermore, the impact on the accuracy of individual staging parameters such as maximal tumor diameter, vaginal involvement or parametrial infiltration were also evaluated. Results: After combination of pelvic MRI, clinical stage remained unchanged in 59.7%, upstaged in 17.2%, and downstaged in 23.0% of the patients. The overall accuracy of clinical staging increased from 61.0% to 81.4% in our study (P<0.05). As for individual staging parameters, the area under the curve (AUC) for maximal tumor diameter increased from 0.58 to 0.81 (P<0.05). However, the AUC for vaginal involvement decreased from 0.61 to 0.57 (P>0.05). The AUC for parametrial infiltration was also suboptimal (AUC=0.56, P<0.05). Conclusion: In routine clinical practice, MRI could increase the overall accuracy of clinical staging in IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer. For staging parameters, it only significantly increased the accuracy of maximal tumor diameter.

Magnetic resonance imaging after external beam radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer helps to identify patients at risk of recurrence

OBJECTIVE

Tumor volume and regression after external beam radiotherapy have been shown to be accurate parameters to assess treatment response via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of tumor size reduction rate after external beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy prior to brachytherapy.

METHODS

Patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated at two French comprehensive cancer centers between 1998 and 2010 were included. Treatment was pelvic external beam radiotherapy with platinum based chemotherapy followed by brachytherapy. Records were reviewed for demographic, clinical, imaging, treatment, and follow-up data. Anonymized linked data were used to ascertain the association between pre-external and post-external beam radiotherapy MRI results, and survival data.

RESULTS

185 patients were included in the study. Median age at diagnosis was 45 years (range 26-72). 77 patients (41.6%) were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB2-IIA disease and 108 patients (58.4%) were stage IIB-IVA. Median tumor size after external beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy was 2.0 cm (range 0.0-8.0) and median tumor size reduction rate was 62.4% (range 0.0-100.0%). Tumor size and tumor reduction rate at 45 Gy external beam radiotherapy MRI were significantly associated with local recurrence free survival (P<0.001), disease free survival, and overall survival (P<0.05). Tumor reduction rate ≥60% was significantly associated with a decreased risk of relapse and death (HR (95% CI) 0.21 (0.09 to 0.50), P=0.001 for local recurrence free survival; 0.48 (0.30 to 0.77) P=0.002 for disease free survival; and 0.51 (0.29 to 0.88), P=0.014 for overall survival).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor size reduction rate >60% between pre-therapeutic and post-therapeutic 45 Gy external beam radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy was associated with improved survival. Future studies may help to identify patients who may ultimately benefit from completion surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, and closer follow-up.

The value of advanced MRI techniques in the assessment of cervical cancer: a review

OBJECTIVES

To assess the value of new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in cervical cancer.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and MEDLINE and reviewed articles published from 1990 to 2016 to identify studies that used MRI techniques, such as diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) MRI, to assess parametric invasion, to detect lymph node metastases, tumour subtype and grading, and to detect and predict tumour recurrence.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine studies were included. The additional use of DWI improved the accuracy and sensitivity of the evaluation of parametrial extension. Most studies reported improved detection of nodal metastases. Functional MRI techniques have the potential to assess tumour subtypes and tumour grade differentiation, and they showed additional value in detecting and predicting treatment response. Limitations included a lack of technical standardisation, which limits reproducibility.

CONCLUSIONS

New advanced MRI techniques allow improved analysis of tumour biology and the tumour microenvironment. They can improve TNM staging and show promise for tumour classification and for assessing the risk of tumour recurrence. They may be helpful for developing optimised and personalised therapy for patients with cervical cancer.

TEACHING POINTS

• Conventional MRI plays a key role in the evaluation of cervical cancer. • DWI improves tumour delineation and detection of nodal metastases in cervical cancer. • Advanced MRI techniques show promise regarding histological grading and subtype differentiation. • Tumour ADC is a potential biomarker for response to treatment.

A prospective study of the value of pre- and post-treatment magnetic resonance imaging examinations for advanced cervical cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Cervical cancer has high incidence and mortality in developing countries. It is the only gynecological malignancy that is clinically staged. Staging at the time of diagnosis is crucial for treatment planning. After radiation therapy, clinical examination is limited because of radiation changes. An imaging method relatively unaffected by radiation changes would be useful for the assessment of therapy results and for management. We sought to demonstrate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the pre- and post-treatment assessment of cervical cancer.

METHODS

This was a prospective study, carried out between November 2012 and October 2014 on 18 subjects with advanced-stage cervical cancer diagnosed by colposcopy. The disease stage was determined clinically according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) criteria. Only patients with disease stage ≥ IIB or IIA with one of the tumor dimensions > 4 cm were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent abdominal-pelvic contrast-enhanced MRI as part of the workup. Tumor size, local invasion, involved pelvic lymph nodes, and staging according to MRI criteria were evaluated. Clinical and MRI examinations were also performed after chemoradiotherapy. After chemoradiotherapy, 94% of the patients (17 of 18) were treated surgically.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients aged 32-67 met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled: 10 stage IIB, 6 stage IIIA, 1 stage IIA and 1 stage IIIB, according to clinical staging. Using histopathological findings as a reference, MRI staging accuracy was 83.3%. The concordance of the clinical stage with MRI stage at the first examination was 56%. Parametrial involvement was assessed on pretreatment and post-treatment MRI, with post-treatment MRI compared with histology. There was no statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-therapy gynecological examinations (GYN) and the corresponding MRI assessments as to tumor size measurements (p>0.05). The post-therapy restoration of the cervical stroma ruled out tumor recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

For a detailed characterization of loco-regional extension, the calculation of tumor volume, and the evaluation of distant metastatic changes, clinical examination is insufficient. Magnetic resonance imaging is helpful aftertherapy.

From prospective biobanking to precision medicine: BIO-RAIDs - an EU study protocol in cervical cancer

Background

Cervical cancer (CC) is -second to breast cancer- a dominant cause of gynecological cancer-related deaths worldwide. CC tumor biopsies and blood samples are of easy access and vital for the development of future precision medicine strategies.

Design

BIO-RAIDs is a prospective multicenter European study, presently recruiting patients in 6 EU countries. Tumor and liquid biopsies from patients with previously non-treated cervical cancer (stages IB2-IV) are collected at defined time points. Patients receive standard primary treatment according to the stage of their disease. 700 patients are planned to be enrolled. The main objectives are the discovery of -dominant molecular alterations, -signalling pathway activation, and -tumor micro-environment patterns that may predict response or resistance to treatment. An exhaustive molecular analysis is performed using 1° Next generation sequencing, 2° Reverse phase protein arrays and 3° Immuno-histochemistry.

Discussion

The clinical study BIO-RAIDs is activated in all planned countries, 170 patients have been recruited till now. This study will make an important contribution towards precision medicine treatments in cervical cancer. The results will support the development of clinical practice guidelines for cervical cancer patients to improve their prognosis and their quality of life.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02428842, registered 10 February 2015.

Primary vaginal cancer: role of MRI in diagnosis, staging and treatment

Primary carcinoma of the vagina is rare, accounting for 1-3% of all gynaecological malignancies. MRI has an increasing role in diagnosis, staging, treatment and assessment of complications in gynaecologic malignancy. In this review, we illustrate the utility of MRI in patients with primary vaginal cancer and highlight key aspects of staging, treatment, recurrence and complications.

Monitoring treatment response in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced uterine cervical cancer by additional diffusion-weighted imaging: A systematic review

PURPOSE

To determine the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in evaluating response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with uterine cervical cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 2005 to April 2014 using search terms related to uterine cervical cancer and magnetic resonance imaging. Two reviewers independently checked the studies for inclusion criteria, patient population, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters and analysis, follow-up for treatment response, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and quality assessment.

RESULTS

Nine studies with 231 patients were included. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging varied from Ib1 to IVb and mean age from 42 to 67 years. When baseline and after treatment pooled mean ADC values were compared, complete responders showed higher increase (0.88 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s to 1.50 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s; Δ0.62 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s) compared to partial responders (1.03 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s to 1.42 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s; Δ0.39 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s) and to nonresponders (0.87 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s to 1.18 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s; Δ0.31 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s). Individual studies also showed that an ADC of ≤0.31 was only seen in nonresponders and an increase of ADC of ≥0.62 was only seen in complete responders. The number of datasets for monitoring early response (at 2 or 4 weeks of therapy) were low and comparable increases in pooled mean ADC values between complete responders, partial responders, and nonresponders were seen. Data on quality assessment showed high risk of bias concerning patient selection, DWI evaluation, and flow and timing.

CONCLUSION

DWI can be used for monitoring treatment response after treatment, but not for the early response monitoring.

Lacunae in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification for cervical carcinoma: observational study using TNM classification as comparator

PURPOSE

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging for cervical cancer does not yet consider findings of cross-sectional imaging unlike clinical tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) staging system. We compare the two with regard to accuracy in pretreatment staging and their reliability in the prediction of prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was an observational study of patients with biopsy-proven nonmetastatic cervical carcinoma. Pretreatment evaluation of patients was done by clinical assessment and contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan of the pelvis to stage the disease with FIGO and clinical TNM (cTNM) system, respectively. The extent of discordance between the 2 staging systems were studied in assessing stage of disease, correlation with histopathologic classification in patients who were operated on, and in prediction of prognosis.

RESULTS

The study included 54 patients. Seventeen of 19 patients with early-stage disease underwent upfront radical surgery; and in 59% of these, FIGO did not match with final histopathologic TNM (pTNM), but only in 23% patients, cTNM did not match with histopathological TNM (P = 0.02). Sensitivity of computed tomographic scan to pick up lymph node metastasis was 85% in early disease. Stage migration rates to higher stage when considering imaging findings in stage I, stage IIA, and stage IIB were 25%, 71%, and 37%, respectively. Thirty-four percent of stage IIIB disease was downstaged with cTNM. Lymph node positivity by cTNM was a strong pointer of recurrence (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment cross-sectional imaging may help avoid undue surgery in patients with cervical cancer with positive lymph nodes and may help in a more accurate assessment of prognosis.

Interobserver variability of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging in cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the interobserver variability of pelvic examination under anesthesia (EUA) in cervical cancer.

METHODS

Subsequent patients undergoing a staging procedure under anesthesia for primary cervical cancer were enrolled in the study. All clinicians assessed "blinded" tumor size, and the involvement of vagina, parametria, sacrouterine ligaments, pelvic sidewalls, bladder, and/or rectum. Items were scored varying from 1 ("certainly no involvement"), 2 ("not sure about involvement"), to 3 ("involvement"). Each individual decided on the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage; also, the urge for imaging and treatment proposal were accounted for. Final FIGO staging was obtained by consensus of the team. Investigators were classified as experienced after more than 50 EUAs. All others were classified less experienced. The free-marginal κ values between experienced and less experienced investigators were calculated for all previously mentioned items.

RESULTS

Between February 2009 and December 2010, a total of 86 patients were enrolled. Among experienced investigators, a moderate interobserver agreement was found with regard to FIGO stage (free-marginal κ value of 0.49) and an excellent interobserver agreement on their proposed therapy (free-marginal κ value of 0.84). A lower level of agreement was found when comparing experienced with less experienced investigators: only a slight level of agreement on FIGO stage and a substantial agreement on their therapy proposal (free-marginal κ values of 0.03 and 0.66).

CONCLUSIONS

We describe only a moderate interobserver agreement on clinical staging of patients with cervical cancer. The interobserver agreement increases in the group of experienced doctors, indicating that EUA can be learned.

Clinical impact of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in the pretreatment evaluation of patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) on the pretreatment evaluation of patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

METHOD

Forty-seven patients with stage 2b-4a cervical carcinoma underwent F-FDG PET/CT for initial staging and pretreatment evaluation. Concomitant pelvic/abdominal MRI was performed in 38 patients. The contribution of PET/CT to treatment planning was evaluated, and the prognostic performance of PET/CT was compared with that of MRI. Lymph node (LN) status on PET/CT was correlated with patient follow-up data.

RESULTS

PET/CT detected hypermetabolic LNs in 39/47 patients. In 24/39 patients (62%), PET/CT was found to be superior to MRI. In 13/24 patients (54%), PET/CT detected para-aortic ± pelvic LNs, which were not found on MRI. PET/CT successfully detected distant metastases in 10 patients and peritonitis carcinomatosa in one patient; these patients were upstaged clinically. Overall, PET/CT has led to modifications in the extent of the radiotherapy field in 34% of patients and to major alterations in treatment plans in 23% of patients with widespread disease. The frequency of PET-positive LNs was significantly lower in patients who were alive without disease at the time of last follow-up (60%) compared with patients with persistent disease and nonsurvivors (100%, P=0.012).

CONCLUSION

The presence of PET-positive LNs has prognostic significance in patients with cervical carcinoma. PET/CT has the potential to show both lymphatic and distant metastases, which results in modifications to the chemoradiotherapeutic regimen. The use of PET/CT must be included in the initial workup of patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

Uterine cervical malignancy: diagnostic accuracy of MRI with histopathologic correlation

Objective:

Cervical cancer is the third most common malignancy in women worldwide. Accurate staging of the disease is crucial in planning the optimal treatment strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of extension and staging of cervical malignancy in correlation with histopathologic examination.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty females with untreated pathologically proven uterine cervical carcinoma were included in this prospective study. The patients were 40 - 65 years of age and their average age was 45 years. All patients were subjected to routine clinical staging workup and underwent MRI for preoperative staging. Preoperative MRI findings were reviewed and compared with the final pathological staging that is the Gold Standard of reference.

Results:

Histopathologic examination established that of the 30 tumors, 22 (73.3%) were squamous cell carcinoma. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging criteria, 2/30 patients (6.6%) were stage IB, 12/30 (40.3%) were IIA, 8/30 were IIB (26.6%), and 8/30 (26.6%) were IVA. MRI had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity 85.7% in the detection of parametrial infiltration, and a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 90% in the detection of vaginal infiltration. It was sensitive (100%) and specific (100%) in detecting tumor extension to the stroma, urinary bladder, and rectum. Pathological examination demonstrated stage IB cervical carcinoma in 2/30 patients (6.6%), stage IIA disease in 10/30 patients (33.3%), stage IIB in 6/30 patients (20%), and stage IV disease in 8/30 patients (26.6%). MRI features demonstrated stage IB in 2/30 patients (6.6%), stage IIA disease in 12/30 patients (40%), stage IIB in 8/30 patients (26.6%), and stage IV disease in 8/30 patients (26.6%). MRI staging of cervical carcinoma was in concordance with histopathologic staging in stages IB and IVA and over-staging in IIA and IIB stages.

Conclusion:

MRI is an optimal non-invasive modality for preoperative staging of uterine cervical malignancy, and crucial in subsequent more accurate treatment planning.