According to the recent International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system, Stage III cervical cancer indicates pelvic or paraaortic lymph node metastasis. Accordingly, the new FIGO stage accepts imaging modalities, such as MRI, as part of the FIGO 2018 updated staging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best imaging modality to estimate the size or volume of uterine cancer because of its excellent soft tissue contrast. As a result, MRI is being used increasingly to determine treatment options and follow-up for cervical cancer patients. Increasing availability of cancer screening and vaccination have improved early detection of cervical cancer. However, the incidence of early cervical cancers has increased compared to that of advanced cervical cancer. A few studies have investigated if MRI findings are useful in management of early cervical cancer. MRI can precisely predict tumor burden, allowing conization, trachelectomy, and simple hysterectomy to be considered as minimally invasive treatment options for early cervical cancer. This imaging modality also can be used to determine whether there is recurrent cancer following minimally invasive treatments. The purpose of this review is to highlight useful MRI features for managing women with early cervical cancer.
Keywords: early cervical cancer; magnetic resonance imaging; minimally invasive surgery.