BACKGROUND: 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. AIMS: 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. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.
BACKGROUND: Perineural space invasion (PSI) represents a poor prognostic factor in various carcinomas. Studies on PSI in cervical cancerpatients are scarce and report discrepant results regarding its incidence and prognostic value. AIMS: The aim of the following study was to evaluate the occurrence rate and prognostic significance of parametrial PSI in patientscervical cancer (FIGO IB1-IIB), accompanied by high-risk factors for recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.