Identifying selection criteria for non‐radical hysterectomy in FIGO stage IB cervical cancer

AIM: This retrospective study sought to identify the selection criteria required for a non‐radical hysterectomy with minimal parametrectomy in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB invasive cervical cancer. METHODS: Overall, 461 patients with FIGO stage IB cervical cancer who underwent a radical hysterectomy were reviewed clinicopathologically according to pathological tumor size (≤2 cm, >2 – ≤4 cm, and > 4 cm). RESULTS: The pathological parametrial involvement rate in the less than equal to 2 cm group (2%) was significantly lower than in greater than 2–less than equal to 4 cm (13%) or greater than 4 cm (29%) groups (both P < 0.001). The 5‐year overall survival rate was significantly higher in the less than equal to 2 cm group (97%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 94–99%) compared with greater than 2–less than equal to 4 cm (90%, 95% CI 94–86%) and greater than 4 cm (70%, 95% CI 79–60%) groups (both P < 0.001). Cox model analysis identified tumor size to be an independent prognostic factor for survival (95% CI 1.33–5.78) and recurrence (95% CI 1.31–5.66) compared to other pathological factors. However, a significant difference between the three groups was not found in rates of Grade 3 or 4 adverse events following radical hysterectomy (P = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor size is an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with FIGO stage IB invasive cervical cancer. This retrospective study suggests that FIGO stage IB patients with a less than equal to 2 cm tumor size are optimal candidates for non‐radical hysterectomy with minimal parametrectomy, and without resulting bladder dysfunction.