Occult tumor cells in surgical specimens from cases of early cervical cancer treated by liposuction-assisted nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy.

Abstract

Tumor recurrence in patients with cervical cancer after primary radical surgery with complete tumor resection (R0) may be caused by occult tumor cell deposits (OTCD) in potentially tumor-bearing pelvic tissue. New surgical techniques, like liposuction-assisted nerve-sparing radical abdominal hysterectomy (LANS-RH) might be performed to remove this tissue. In a preliminary study of 30 cases, treated with LANS-RH, the liposuction specimens were examined on hematoxylin & eosin (H&E)-stained step sections and at immunohistochemical levels, using the antibody cocktails MNF 116 and AE1/AE3 for cytokeratins to detect occult tumor cells. In nine cases microscopically tumor-free lymph nodes were detected in the liposuction material. One case presented lymphovascular space involvement in the capsular region of a node on H&E stained slides. Two additional cases showed tumor cell deposits in pelvic perinodal fatty tissue on immunohistochemical examination. We conclude that the LANS-RH technique is capable of resecting potentially tumor-bearing pelvic tissue. Careful histologic handling and immunohistochemical techniques may improve the detection of OTCD.

• Authors: L C Horn, U Fischer, M Höckel
• Journal: International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society (Int J Gynecol Cancer) 2001 Mar-Apr Vol. 11 Issue 2 Pg. 159-63 ISSN: 1048-891X [Print] England
• PMID: 11328415 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Keratins

Topics

• Abdomen (surgery)
• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies
• Female
• Humans
• Hysterectomy (methods)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Keratins
• Lipectomy
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm, Residual
• Neoplastic Cells, Circulating
• Pelvis
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Uterine Cervical Neoplasms (surgery)