Cervical Tumors

Abstract

Imaging the cervix for benign and malignant disease can be achieved using transvaginal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. The best established role of imaging is in cervical carcinoma where magnetic resonance imaging, CT and increasingly positron emission tomography-CT are the most frequently used imaging modalities. These have a role in staging, treatment selection, recurrent disease, and imaging complications of treatment. Histopathological diagnosis of cervical disorders cannot be made on the basis of imaging alone but certain imaging features may provide an indication as to the underlying diagnosis. We describe the imaging features of some malignant tumor subtypes in which a preoperative diagnosis may alter management. Benign lesions of the cervix are usually detected incidentally or during investigations for dysfunctional vaginal bleeding. We describe the imaging features of the commonly encountered benign cervical lesions.

Female Reproductive System

“…Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological subtype of cervical carcinoma [ 4 ]. The histological subtypes of cervical carcinomas could not be differentiated by imaging alone [ 4 ].…”

“…Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological subtype of cervical carcinoma [ 4 ]. The histological subtypes of cervical carcinomas could not be differentiated by imaging alone [ 4 ]. Computed tomography and ultrasound are only useful for visualization of cervical carcinomas of large sizes or wide extents [ 4 ].…”

“…The histological subtypes of cervical carcinomas could not be differentiated by imaging alone [ 4 ]. Computed tomography and ultrasound are only useful for visualization of cervical carcinomas of large sizes or wide extents [ 4 ]. CT staging for cervical carcinomas is only useful for evaluating presence or absence of hydronephrosis/hydroureter and pelvic wall invasion rather than showing the tumor itself [ 4 ].…”

“…Computed tomography and ultrasound are only useful for visualization of cervical carcinomas of large sizes or wide extents [ 4 ]. CT staging for cervical carcinomas is only useful for evaluating presence or absence of hydronephrosis/hydroureter and pelvic wall invasion rather than showing the tumor itself [ 4 ]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly accurate in diagnosing cervical carcinoma and assessing its extent [ 4 ].…”

“…CT staging for cervical carcinomas is only useful for evaluating presence or absence of hydronephrosis/hydroureter and pelvic wall invasion rather than showing the tumor itself [ 4 ]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly accurate in diagnosing cervical carcinoma and assessing its extent [ 4 ]. Cervical carcinomas show intermediate signal intensity and higher to low signal intensity of normal cervical stroma on T2-weighted images of MRI [ 4 ], which allows accurate detection of the tumor.…”