Factors Determining Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Early Stage Non-Squamous Cell Cervical Carcinoma

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics of early stage non-squamous cell cervical carcinoma (non-SCCC) patients and identify factors that predict lymph node metastasis. Materials and method: Patients who underwent radical hysterectomy plus lymphadenectomy for stage IB1-IIA2 non-SCCC between 1993 and 2022 in six gynecologic oncology centers were included in this retrospective study. The effects of the risk factors on lymph node metastasis were evaluated by using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The study involved 126 patients with a median age of 48 years (range, 26-77 years). According to FIGO 2009 staging, 91 patients (72.2%) were at stage IB1, 24 (19%) were at stage IB2, 9 (7.1%) were at stage IIA1, and 2 (1.6%) were at stage IIA2. Tumor subtype were adenocarcinoma in 93 (73.8%) patients and adenosquamous carcinoma in 28 (22.2%) patients. In univariate analysis; age, tumor size, stromal invasion, parametrial invasion, uterine involvement, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), vaginal involvement, and surgical border involvement were associated with lymph node metastasis. In multivariate analysis, LVSI (Hazard Ratio: 19.63, 95% Confidence Interval: 3.499-110.166; p=0.001) and uterine involvement (Hazard Ratio: 4.36, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.178-16.165; p=0.027) were identified as independent prognostic factors for lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: LVSI and uterine involvement were independent predictors of lymph node metastasis in early-stage non-SCCC patients. These factors can be identified with high accuracy in biopsy specimens and imaging methods in the preoperative period.