Early stage cervical cancers containing human papillomavirus type 18 DNA have more nodal metastasis and deeper stromal invasion.

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical and pathological factors which might explain the poor prognosis associated with early stage cervical cancers containing human papillomavirus (HPV) type 18 DNA.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A clinical and pathological review of 144 patients with stage IB cervical cancer treated with radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection was done. HPV genotyping was determined from fresh tumor specimens through PCR. Clinical-pathological information, sites of recurrence, use of adjuvant radiation, and survival data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-three (23%) tumors contained HPV 18 DNA. These tumors did not differ from those which contained non-HPV 18 DNA with respect to tumor grade or size. However, HPV 18-containing cancers were more likely to be adenocarcinomas. A higher incidence of pelvic lymph node metastasis was noted among the HPV 18 group (48%) as compared with the non-HPV 18 group (28%), and deeper stromal invasion was more common in HPV 18-associated tumors. Although a slightly higher proportion of patients with HPV 18-containing tumors received adjuvant radiation (67%) than those with non-HPV 18 cancers (49%), recurrences were more common among HPV 18 patients. Eleven (33%) of HPV 18-containing cancers relapsed compared with 18 (16%) of non-HPV18-containing tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The explanation for the worse prognosis associated with stage IB cervical cancers containing HPV 18 DNA treated with radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection appears to be related to deeper cervical stromal invasion and more nodal metastases. Despite an increased use of adjuvant radiation therapy, these cancers are still more likely to relapse.