Prognostic significance of solitary lymph node metastasis in patients with stages IA2 to IIA cervical carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic significance of and risk factors for solitary lymph node metastasis (SLNM) of patients with cervical carcinoma. METHODS: Clinical data from patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages IA2 to IIA cervical carcinoma who underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy between January 2003 and December 2010 were analysed retrospectively. Histopathological analysis was used to identify SLNM. Long-term survival and risk factors associated with SLNM were analysed. RESULTS: The study enrolled 302 patients with cervical cancer: 48 with SLNM (SLNM group) and 254 patients with no lymph node metastases (nLNM group). FIGO stage, tumour grade, depth of tumour invasion, uterine body involvement, parametrial involvement and lymphovascular invasion differed significantly between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that FIGO stage, depth of tumour invasion and lymphovascular invasion were independent factors associated with SLNM. The 5-year survival rates of the SLNM and nLNM groups were 54.2% and 87.8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified SLNM as an independent factor affecting survival. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of just one solitary lymph node metastasis significantly worsened the prognosis in patients with cervical carcinoma compared with patients without lymph node metastases.