Treatment patterns and outcomes in bulky stage IB2 cervical cancer patients: a single institution's experience over 14 years.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess various treatment options in stage IB2 cervical cancer patients. METHODS: Between January 1995 and May 2007, 63 patients with stage IB2 were treated by radical hysterectomy (n = 28), primary concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT, n = 16) or radiation therapy (RT, n = 19). Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between these treatment modalities. RESULTS: The 3-year DFS of the surgical approach group was 67.5% compared to 70.3% of the primary RT/CCRT group (p = 0.603). The 5-year OS of all patients was 75.9%. The 5-year OS of the surgical approach group was 81.6% compared to 76.2% of the primary RT/CCRT group (p = 0.578). Twelve (42.8%) of 28 surgically treated patients had high-risk pathologic factors. Out of 20 premenopausal patients who underwent the surgical approach, ovarian preservation was possible in 13 patients without adjuvant CCRT. Of these 13 patients, 7 patients did not experience disease recurrence and continued normal ovarian function. CONCLUSION: Both radical hysterectomy and primary RT/CCRT are effective treatment options in IB2 cervical cancer. In addition, the surgical approach can be considered for preserving ovarian function in premenopausal IB2 cervical cancer patients.