Among patients undergoing radical hysterectomy for Stage IB cervical carcinoma, which pathological finding carries the strongest adverse impact on 5-year survival?
- A Lymphovascular space invasion
- B Pelvic lymph node metastasis ✓
- C Deep stromal invasion
- D Tumour grade 3 histology
Correct answer: B. Pelvic lymph node metastasis
Explanation
Nodal status remains the single most powerful prognostic determinant in early cervical cancer: 5-year survival falls from above 90 percent in node-negative disease to around 50 to 65 percent when pelvic nodes are involved. Deep stromal invasion, lymphovascular space invasion and high grade are important but act mainly as intermediate-risk variables that predict nodal disease and guide adjuvant therapy under the Sedlis criteria.
Reference: Berek and Hacker's Gynecologic Oncology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.