Postoperative management of FIGO 2018 stage IIA1 cervical squamous cell carcinoma with only one intermediate-risk factor: Is radiotherapy needed?

Objective: To investigate whether postoperative radiotherapy is required for FIGO 2018 stage IIA1 cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients with only one intermediate-risk factor.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study. The selected patients were classified into no postoperative adjuvant therapy and postoperative radiotherapy groups. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were compared.

Results: In total, 159 patients with no postoperative adjuvant therapy and 179 patients with postoperative radiotherapy were included, with the former group showing a lower OS but no difference in DFS. No postoperative adjuvant therapy was an independent risk factor for patient mortality. Patients were also stratified by tumor diameter: 56 patients had a tumor diameter ≤2 cm, comprising 32 patients with postoperative radiotherapy and 24 patients without (no between-group difference was found); 272 patients had a tumor diameter >2 cm, comprising 122 patients with postoperative radiotherapy and 150 patients without, with the former group showing a higher OS, and no postoperative adjuvant therapy was an independent risk factor for patient mortality.

Conclusion: For FIGO 2018 stage IIA1 cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients with only one intermediate-risk factor and a tumor diameter >2 cm, postoperative radiotherapy is likely beneficial to improve prognosis.