Perineural invasion in early-stage cervical carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the association between perineural invasion (PNI) and predictive and prognostic factors in early-stage cervical carcinoma patients treated with surgery.

METHODS

Fifteen PNI (+) and 21 PNI (-) early-stage cervical carcinoma patients, primarily treated by surgery, were evaluated retrospectively. Patients' complete blood counts and biochemistry tests, tumoral prognostic parameters, PNI status, postoperative treatment, recurrence and survival data were obtained from the records.

RESULTS

The percentage of mean depth of stromal invasion was significantly higher in the PNI (+) group (p < or = 0.05). Vaginal (p < or = 0.05) and uterine (p < or = 0.01) invasion of the tumor were significantly more prevalent in the PNI (+) group. Lymphovascular space invasion, in particular lymphatic invasion (p < or = 0.05), but not vascular invasion (p > 0.05) was significantly more prevalent in the PNI (+) group.

CONCLUSION

PNI is closely related with stromal invasion in percentage, vaginal and uterine involvement and lymphatic invasion of the tumor.