Radical vaginal trachelectomy vs. radical hysterectomy for small early stage cervical cancer: A matched case–control study

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy and outcome from radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT) compared to a matched group of patients undergoing radical hysterectomy for small early stage cervical cancer.MethodsAll patient data were entered prospectively. Patients wishing preservation of fertility with cervical cancer, tumor < 2 cm, and not meeting the definition of microinvasive cancer were offered RVT. The outcomes were compared to a matched group of patients who underwent radical hysterectomy for stage IA/IB cervical cancer. Groups were matched 1:1 for age (± 5 years), tumor size (± 1 mm), histology, grade, depth of invasion (± 1 mm), presence of capillary lymphatic space invasion, pelvic lymph node metastasis, and adjuvant radiotherapy.ResultsA total of 137 patients underwent RVT between 1994 and 2007. Of them, 90 patients were successfully matched. Median tumor size was microscopic. Moreover, 43% and 49% were squamous and had adeno/adenosquamous histology. Median depth of invasion was 3.1 mm. Capillary lymphatic space invasion was present in 68% of cases. Of the tumors, 60% were grade 1, 29% were grade 2, and 11% were grade 3. After a median follow-up of 51 and 58 months, 5 and 1 recurrences were diagnosed in the RVT and radical hysterectomy groups, respectively. Five-year recurrence-free survival rates were present in 95% and 100% of the groups, respectively (p = 0.17). In addition, 3 and 1 deaths occurred in the RVT and radical hysterectomy groups, resulting in 5-year survival rates of 99% and 100%, respectively (p = 0.55).ConclusionsRVT seems to be the procedure of choice for women with small early stage cervical cancers wishing to preserve fertility.