Magnetic resonance imaging and pathologic correlation in stage IB cervix cancers.

Ten patients with Stage IB cervical carcinoma underwent primary radical surgery within 2 weeks following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. Underestimation of stromal disease was common on examination under anesthesia (EUA), while MRI correctly estimated tumor volume and degree of stromal invasion in 9 of 10 cases. In six patients, EUA severely underestimated the tumor: stroma ratio, and five of these six underwent postoperative pelvic radiation therapy. Had the true extent of tumor involvement been recognized preoperatively, we probably would have selected either primary radiation or radiation plus extrafascial hysterectomy for these patients. Pathologic correlation revealed that MRI more accurately predicted tumor size and extent of stromal involvement than clinical examination. We believe that magnetic resonance imaging may have a role in treatment planning of patients with Stage IB cervical carcinoma.