Para-aortic lymph node metastases in locally advanced cervical cancer: Comparison between surgical staging and imaging

• Monocentric retrospective study of 336 patients with cervical cancer FIGO stage IB2-IVa
• 204 patients with normal or not overtly malignant para-aortic lymph nodes on imaging underwent surgical para-aortic lymph node staging
• Despite negative imaging para-aortic lymph node metastases were present in 8% of the patients with surgical para-aortic staging.

ObjectiveCompare surgical staging with imaging (PET-CT, PET or CT) of the para-aortic lymph nodes (PAOLN) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).MethodsMonocentric retrospective study of 336 patients with cervical cancer FIGO stage IB2-IVA. All patients underwent staging of the PAOLN using imaging by PET-CT, PET or CT. Two hundred and four patients with normal or not overtly malignant PAOLN on imaging underwent surgical PAOLN staging up to the inferior mesenteric artery (189 endoscopy and 15 laparotomy).ResultsThe patients were divided into 4 groups: 16 with positive surgical staging and negative PAOLN imaging (sPAOLN +), 172 negative surgical staging (sPAOLN −), 20 positive imaging without surgical staging (iPAOLN +) and 128 negative imaging without surgical staging (iPAOLN −). Median operative time of staging was 70 (40–160) min and median number of removed PAOLN was 5 (0–24). Operative complications were 10 peroperative bleedings, 2 ureteral traumas, 1 carbon dioxide retention and 1 retroperitoneal abscess. The median follow-up was 31 (1–218) months. Overall survival at 2 years was for sPAOLN +, sPAOLN −, iPAOLN +, and iPAOLN − 40%, 83%, 58%, and 69%, respectively (p < 0.001 for sPAOLN + and iPAOLN + versus sPAOLN − and iPAOLN −). The most frequent site of recurrence was distant LN metastases (outside the pelvic and PAO area) (36%) for sPAOLN +. For sPAOLN −, iPAOLN +, and iPAOLN − the most frequent site of recurrence was the cervix (27%, 66% and 26%, respectively).ConclusionDespite negative imaging, PAOLN metastases were present in 8% at surgical staging. Overall survival is significantly influenced by the presence of PAOLN metastases.