Early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma treated by surgical intent: the role of para-aortic lymph node dissection.
OBJECTIVE
Previous reports suggest that cervical adenocarcinomas have a unique pattern of spread and are more apt to metastasize to para-aortic lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to further define the node of para-aortic lymph node dissection in early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma treated by surgical intent.


METHODS
Institutional review board approval was obtained to perform a computerized search of the data of all women diagnosed with cervical adenocarcinoma between 1982 and 2000. Hospital charts were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up was obtained from the tumor registry, medical records, and correspondence with health care providers.


RESULTS
Three hundred (87%) of 345 early-stage (FIGO IA(1)-IIA) cervical adenocarcinoma patients were primarily treated by surgical intent. Two hundred seventy-six underwent pelvic and para-aortic node dissection (n = 69) or pelvic node dissection only (n = 207); 24 had no lymph node dissection. The median number of lymph nodes removed was 13 pelvic (range, 1-58) and 3 para-aortic (range, 1-17). Three (4%) of 69 patients had para-aortic nodal metastases. Each had either grossly evident para-aortic adenopathy (n = 2) or an adnexal metastasis. Thirty-six of 40 women developing recurrent disease had at least some component of pelvic recurrence; 4 had only extrapelvic disease. Three patients undergoing para-aortic node dissection developed an isolated extrapelvic recurrence despite originally negative para-aortic nodes (n = 2) or treatment by extended-field radiation for para-aortic metastases. One woman undergoing only pelvic node dissection had an isolated extrapelvic recurrence despite originally negative nodes.


CONCLUSIONS
Early-stage cervical adenocarcinoma primarily treated by surgical intent has a very low risk of para-aortic metastases. These were detected only when there was gross evidence of nodal or adnexal disease.
Lea
Jayanthi S
JS
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA.
Sheets
Ellen E
EE
Duska
Linda R
LR
Miller
David S
DS
Schorge
John O
JO
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010388:Pelvis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*