Expert Reviews Study Findings for Radical Hysterectomy in Cervical Cancer

Sarah Ferguson, MD, FRCSC, associate professor of gynecologic oncology, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, discusses her experience being involved in a population-based study of women with cervical cancer treated with a radical hysterectomy.

This study, spanning over a 10-year period, compared various surgical approaches and the impact on survival outcomes in these patients. The study showed that there was an increase in all-cause mortality in patients who underwent a laparoscopic surgery, which is considered a minimally invasive approach and was thought to benefit patients more than other approaches. The findings from this study were able to provide evidence for preconceived notions held by surgical oncologists.

According to results of the study, oncologists need to advocate for more randomized clinical trials to answer remaining questions in the field of cervical cancer. Although the study also demonstrated the difficulty in convincing people to change their practice based on new data.