Modern ultrasound diagnostics for locally advanced cervical cancer

Abstract

Aim. To determine the diagnostic characteristics of ultrasound when evaluating the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. This assessment is very important and necessary to define further treatment policy. Materials and methods. The survey data of 142 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer of stages IB2-IIIB, who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the first stage of complex treatment, was analyzed. Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment was carried out using clinical methods of research, as well as a comprehensive ultrasound. Complex ultrasound study was conducted before treatment initiation and after each chemotherapy cycle. Results. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, the volume of the primary focus, as determined by clinical examination and ultrasound (B-mode), decreased by more than 50%. Doppler ultrasound revealed a significant decrease in the velocity parameters of blood flow in the uterine arteries and the cervical stroma. Radical surgery after chemotherapy was performed in 133 (93.7%) cases. Conclusions. Dynamic ultrasound monitoring is quite informative when assessing the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The main ultrasound response criteria for treatment is the dynamics of the tumor volume, as well as functional parameters of blood flow in the tumor tissue.

Keywords

• locally advanced cervical cancer
• ultrasound diagnosis
• neoadjuvant chemotherapy