| Summary: | Background: The aim of the present article was to evaluate whether angiogenic parameters as
assessed by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound (TVCD) may predict those prognostic factors
related to recurrence.
Methods: A total of 27 patients (mean age: 51.3 years, range: 29 to 85) with histologically proven
early stage invasive cervical cancer were evaluated by TVCD prior to surgery. Subjective
assessment of the amount of vessels within the tumor (scanty-moderate or abundant) and
pulsatility index (PI) were recorded. All patients underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph
node dissection. Postoperative treatment (RT or chemoradiotherapy) was given according to risk
factors (positive lymph nodes, parametrial and vaginal margin involvement, depth stromal invasion,
lymph-vascular space involvement)
Results: Tumors with "abundant" vascularization were significantly associated with pelvic lymph
node metastases, depth stromal invasion > 10 mm, lymph-vascular space involvement, tumor
diameter > 17.5 mm, and parametrial involvement. Postoperative treatment was significantly more
frequent in patients with "abundant" vascularization (OR: 20.8, 95% CIs: 2 to 211). The presence
of scanty-moderate vascularization with a PI < 0.82 or abundant vascularization with either PI >
0.82 or PI < 0.82 was associated with high-risk group in 94.4% of the cases (OR: 21.2, 95% CI: 1.9
to 236.0)
Conclusion: The results are consistent with a relationship between tumor angiogenesis and
prognostic factors for recurrence in early cervical cancer. "Abundant" vascularization and PI < 0.82
may be related to postoperative treatment due to risk factors.
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