The distribution of the pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients with cervical carcinoma

Objective: To explore the distribution of pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients with cervical carcinoma.Methods: The positron emission tomography(PET)-CT was performed to analyze the distribution of pelvic lymph node metastasis in 43 patients with cervical cancer at ⅠA2 to Ⅳ stage.Results:The metastasis rate of pelvic lymph nodes declines in the following order: parametrial and obturator lymph nodes→internal iliac and external iliac lymph nodes→common iliac,inguinal and para-aortic lymph nodes.Out of the 16 patients who received surgery,6 groups of positive lymph node metastasis were identified which were confirmed by postoperative pathological examination.The metastatic lymph nodes were mainly distributed in parametrial and obturatum area.Common iliac metastasis of lymph nodes was detected in 6 patients and para-aortic metastasis was detected in 5 patients.All of the 11 patients has lymph node metastasis in other pelvic regions and died in 5 years.Conclusion:The distribution of pelvic lymph nodes metastasis had some features.The metastatic rate of parametrial and obturator lymph nodes is the highest which can accurately predict the status of pelvic lymph node metastasis.The metastatic rate of internal iliac and external iliac lymph nodes is lower than parametrial and obturator lymph nodes but higher than common iliac,inguinal and para-aortic lymph nodes.The metastatic rate of common iliac,inguinal,and para-aortic lymph nodes is the lowest.