Current surgical principle for uterine cervical cancer of stages Ia2, Ib1, and IIa1 in Japan: a survey of the Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the current operative principle of uterine cervical cancer of stages Ia2, Ib1, and IIa1 (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) in Japan by surveying member institutions of the Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (JGOG).

Methods: We conducted a survey to assess the current operative principle, including indications and treatment, at all 199 active member institutions of the JGOG.

Results: A total of 166 institutions (83.4%) responded to the survey. For Ia2 squamous cell carcinoma without the need to preserve fertility, modified radical hysterectomy was performed, and lymph node dissection was done in about 85%. At 60% of JGOG institutions, it was considered that less invasive procedures might be suitable. At the majority of JGOG institutions, radical surgery and lymph node dissection were considered necessary for stages Ib1 and IIa1 squamous cell carcinoma, with 70% considering that less invasive procedures might not be suitable.

Conclusions: This survey provides information regarding the current status of surgical principle for uterine cervical cancer (stages Ia2, Ib1, and IIa1) in Japan.