This study sought to explore the outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (SCNEC) and to determine the effects of adjuvant treatment on survival in patients with FIGO stage I-II SCNEC after radical surgery.

A single-institution retrospective analysis was performed in 92 patients who underwent radical surgery for SCNEC. All clinicopathological variables and treatment strategies were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used for survival analyses.

During a median follow-up period of 38months (23.6-52.4), 43 (46.7%) patients experienced disease recurrence, and distant metastases were documented in 35 (81.4%) patients. The 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) for the entire group was 50.1%. The median RFS was 39months. The multivariate analysis confirmed that lymph node metastasis, positive parametrial extension and cycles of etoposide plus platinum (EP) were independent prognostic factors for disease recurrence. Adjuvant chemotherapy for at least 5cycles of EP (EP 5+, n=39) was associated with improved 5-year RFS compared with other treatments (n=46) (67.6% vs. 20.9%, p<0.001). Additional radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiation failed to validate further improved RFS in patients with EP 5+, and this finding was consistent in the subset of patients with high-risk factors (positive lymph nodes or positive parametrium).

Half of stage I-II SCNEC patients experienced disease failure within 3years, and distant metastasis was an outstanding issue. EP regimen for at least 5cycles improved long-term RFS after radical surgery. Additional radiation might be unnecessary, even in patients with high-risk factors.