Pattern of distribution and metastasis of deep obturator and parametrial lymph nodes in early stage cervical cancer patients

Pelvic lymphadenectomy has been widely performed as an essential part of the surgical treatment of early stage (IB-IIA) cervical cancer. In this study, the authors reviewed 128 patients who underwent this type of dissection to investigate the pattern of distribution and metastasis of deep obturator lymph node (DOLN) and parametrial lymph node (PLN), and the clinical hitstological factors that associated with detection of and metastasis to DOLN and PLN. The authors found the detection of DOLN and PLN significantly less common and more frequently unilateral compared with other groups of pelvic nodes. Tumor size and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen may help to identify patients suitable for individualized dissection of PLN.

Cervical cancer; Deep obturator lymph node; Parametrial lymph node; Distribution; Metastasis.

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