Canadian researchers say some women with early-stage cervical cancer can be safely treated with a less invasive hysterectomy that has fewer complications.. A cervix self-screening kit is a part of the first self-screening cervical cancer plan in Canada, in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
A recent Canadian study suggests that some women with early-stage cervical cancer may undergo a less invasive hysterectomy with fewer complications safely, according to findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. Lois Shepherd, a professor of pathology and molecular medicine at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., and the senior author of the study, explained that the standard treatment for early-stage cervical cancer typically involves a radical hysterectomy. This procedure involves removing not only the uterus and cervix but also surrounding tissues and up to one-third of the vagina.
However, the study revealed that women who opted for a "simple" hysterectomy, where surrounding tissues and most of the vagina were left intact, faced no higher risk of cancer recurrence in the pelvic area after three years compared to those who underwent a radical hysterectomy.
Dr. Shepherd emphasized that the study establishes a less intrusive option with fewer side effects for women with early-stage, low-risk cervical cancer. The research highlighted that women who underwent a radical hysterectomy were more prone to experiencing urinary incontinence and sexual side effects post-surgery.
Dr. Marie Plante, the lead author of the study and a gynecologic oncologist at CHU de Quebec at Laval University, stressed that the simple hysterectomy should only be considered for cervical cancer patients meeting specific criteria. These criteria include early-stage cancer with superficial lesions measuring less than or equal to two centimeters and cancer-free lymph nodes.
Dr. Brent Jim, a gynecologic oncologist in Regina not involved in the study, commented that this new research could lead to a shift in medical practice. With the availability of cervical cancer screening programs in Canada, many women are diagnosed early and could potentially benefit from the less invasive hysterectomy option.
The study, a randomized Phase 3 clinical trial, included 700 women from 12 different countries, with over a quarter recruited from Canada. The findings provide robust evidence supporting the safety of less invasive surgery for early-stage cervical cancer patients.
