Dr. Ferguson Discusses AEs Associated With Surgery in Cervical Cancer

Sarah Ferguson, MD, FRCSC, associate professor of gynecologic oncology, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, discusses adverse events (AEs) associated with surgery in cervical cancer.

In the perioperative setting, there is an ongoing study comparing the AEs attributed to simple hysterectomy versus those attributed to radical hysterectomy. The study includes a very small patient population, but it will be the most significant data to date on the perioperative AEs and oncologic outcomes associated with these surgical approaches, Ferguson says.

With hysterectomy in general, there may be an increased risk of certain unique complications like fistulas, although those are highly rare. Bladder dysfunction is also associated with surgery, and whether or not sexual dysfunction is another AE will be confirmed in a future study, Ferguson concludes.