Distribution patterns of lymph node metastasis in early stage invasive cervical cancer

Abstract

The spatial distribution of lymph node (LN) metastasis was analyzed to provide data for an evidence-based approach to radiotherapy field design, particularly for guiding intensity-modulated radiation therapy. A total of 1886 postoperative patients were retrospectively reviewed. Pelvic LNs were classified as common iliac nodes, external iliac nodes, internal iliac nodes/obturator nodes, and deep inguinal nodes. The distribution of LN metastasis in these subgroups was calculated, and the distribution patterns of LN metastasis according to the pathologic types were investigated.We identified 392 eligible patients with LN metastasis. The frequency and number of external iliac node metastasis were higher in the left side in both single subgroup (P