Updated applications of Ultrasound in Uterine Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a common gynecologic malignancy worldwide. It is the fourth for both incidence and mortality. For cervical cancer, imaging and pathology assessments are incorporated in the revised 2018 Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system. Uses of imaging techniques for the pre-treatment work-up of cervical cancer have been increasing. Among imaging techniques for the evaluation of cervical cancer, ultrasound is cheaper, faster and widely available than other imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Advanced technique in ultrasound, such as three-dimension (3D) ultrasound and color Doppler, have improved the clinical application of ultrasound in cervical cancer. Ultrasound may provide highly accurate information on detecting tumor presence and evaluating local tumor extent if performed by ultrasound-trained gynecologists; the experience of readers is also critical for correct pretreatment staging and assessment of response to treatment. Sonographic images could be useful to predict response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with cervical cancer. This review article attempted to present the most updated specific applications of ultrasound in cervical cancer.

Keywords: cervical cancer; staging; therapy; ultrasound.

Figure 1

Transvaginal ultrasound image shows a longitudinal section of the uterus with normal cervix of the female aged 31-year-old. (A) Sagittal view (B) uterine size (C) cervical length.

Figure 2

Transabdominal ultrasound image shows a longitudinal section of the uterus with normal cervix of the female aged17-year-old. (A) Sagittal view (B) uterine size (C) cervical length.

Figure 3

Transvaginall ultrasound image gray scale and color Doppler shows a longitudinal section of the uterus with cervical cancer of the female aged 68-year-old. (A) Gray scale shows cervical mass (B) color Doppler shows abundant blood flow in cervical mass (C) color Doppler (D) color Doppler Blood flow.