Ultrasound Strain Elastography (SE) can be added to conventional ultrasonography as a complement to examine tissue strain. The clinical value of SE in patients with cervical cancer has not been thoroughly studied. The objective of this study was to explore the SE features in patients with cervical cancer, and to assess if SE can improve tumor delineation. SE features were explored prospectively in 30 women with all stages of cervical cancer. Tumor delineation was assessed using SE images and conventional Ultrasound (US) including power Doppler. Other SE features studied were tumor size, elasticity score, and strain ratio. SE improved tumor delineation in 40% (8/20) of early and 70% (7/10) of advanced tumors. Size agreement between SE and histology was excellent. An elasticity score of 4 to 5 was found in 45% (9/20) with early stage and 80% (8/10) with advanced disease (p=0.068). The maximal strain-ratio was significantly lower in early stages compared to advanced stages (1.9 SD ± 0.83 vs. SD ± 1.2, p<0.009). The results indicate that SE features differ in early and advanced stage disease, that SE may help in tumor delineation in advanced stage disease, and provide more accurate size measurements as compared to conventional US alone.

European Journal of Clinical Oncology Cancer poses a major challenge to development; it undermines socio-economic advances throughout the world. It is estimated that the number of patients with cancer would increase from 12.7 million in the year 2008 to 22.2 million by 2030. It is universally agreed that the condition is reaching epidemic proportions. At this time, the European Journal of Clinical Oncology is conveniently placed in the scholarly communication milieu to help counter the menace of cancer by aiding the development of novel treatment strategies, by providing novel insights into the mechanisms underlying this complex disease.

European Journal of Clinical Oncology publishes peer-reviewed original research articles, review articles, short communications, expert opinions, commentaries and letters/editorials based on open access policy. Author(s) are invited to submit their manuscripts as an e-mail attachment for fast and efficient processing. Aims & scope of the journal, key words, indexing as well as bibliographic information can be accessed at https://www.iomcworld.org/european-clinical-oncology.html

John Robert

Managing Editor
European Journal of Clinical Oncology
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