Short-term recurrence and distant metastasis following robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and chemoradiotherapy for a stage IB1 cervical adenocarcinoma: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: Postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is considered the standard treatment for patients with early stage cervical cancer with positive pelvic nodes, yet many patients with high-risk factors treated with CCRT still suffered from distant metastasis. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 48-year-old woman presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding for 5 months. Thin prep liquid-based cytology test revealed low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and the human papillomavirus test (type 58) was positive. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass measuring 17 × 15 mm, located predominantly in the posterior lip of uterine cervix. Colposcopy biopsy reported adenocarcinoma of the cervix. DIAGNOSIS: Cervical adenocarcinoma stage IB1. INTERVENTIONS: A robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed followed by postoperative CCRT. OUTCOMES: Distant metastasis was occurred shortly after postoperative CCRT and the patient died 9 months from initial diagnosis. LESSONS: In cases of new nodule in bones, lower abdominal distension and bloating occurring shortly after CCRT in early stage cervical adenocarcinoma, clinicians should bear in mind that recurrence should be considered. Development of more effective treatment to improve the survival outcomes of patients with postoperative metastasis is needed.