Sonographic Evaluation of the Cervical Volume Change Before and After Neoadjuvant Chemotheraphy in the Cervical Carcinoma as a Objective Method

Yoo, J B; Roh, J S; Kim, K T; Cho, S H; Moon, H; Hwang, Y Y

Abstract

The ultrasound is easily available and noninvasive diagnostic method. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential role of ultrasound in evaluating the response of cervical carcinoma to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Serial sonographic evaluation was performed in 24 patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for invasive cervical carcinoma during the period from Jan. 1991 to Aug. 1993. 1. The mean age was 49.0 years. According to FIGO classification, 24 patients were classified to 3 stage Ib 4, stage IIa 6, stage IIb, and 11 stage III. The distribution of geographic type was 16 exophytic, 7 endophytic and 1 ulcerative. 2. They received 2-6 courses at 3-week intervals of vinblastin, bleomycin and cisplatinum(mean 3.6 courses). 3. No significant difference was observed in the sonographic and clinical response according to the geographic type. 4. Although significant correlation was not observed between sonographic cervix volume change and clinical response, 12 cases in whom cervix volume was reduced more than 50% in sonography were revealed as same change in direction with clinical examination. Improvement in pelvic ultrasound technique, together with a close cooperation between gynecologist and more experience, might make ultrasound a useful tool for cervical carcinoma management in the future. Further investigation with larger series is warranted.