Prognostic effect of different cut-off values (20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm) for clinical tumor size in FIGO stage IB cervical cancer

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate whether applying cut-off values of 20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm for tumor size have prognostic value in terms of survival or not.Material and methodsMedical records of 193 patients with FIGO stage IB cervical cancer (IB1: 173, IB2: 20) undergoing radical hysterectomy were evaluated. Tumor size was defined as the greatest tumor diameter determined by rectovaginal examination under general anesthesia. The influence of cut-off values (20 mm, 30 mm, and 40 mm) on surgical-pathologic risk factors and survival rates was evaluated.ResultsTumor size was ≤20 mm in 71, ≤30 mm in 125 and ≤40 mm in 174 patients. Only 40 mm was associated with the presence of metastasis in at least one of pelvic or para-aortic lymph nodes. Depth of stromal invasion was affected by 20 mm and 30 mm. For parametrial and surgical margin involvement, only 30 mm had a statistically significant effect. Probability of receiving adjuvant radiotherapy was similar with all of the cut-off values. Neither cut-off value had a statistically significant effect in terms of survival rates. It was observed that lymph node metastasis and age affected 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates. OS, but not DFS, was affected by lymphovascular space invasion. Stage, cell type, grade, parametrial invasion, presence of tumor at surgical margin and depth of stromal invasion did not affect recurrence or survival rates. Age and pelvic lymph node involvement were independent prognostic factors.DiscussionThe present study did not find a single cut-off value for tumor size that can predict all surgical-pathologic risk factors. Recurrence and survival were not affected by any of these values.