Funding outcome

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (SCNECC) is a rare but aggressive type of cervical cancer. Prognosis with SCNECC is poor, with patients on average surviving only about 21 months after diagnosis. This is because such tumors grow quickly and often spread to other areas of the body. Best treatment for SCNECC is not known, and approaches can vary. Some experts suggest that small tumors should be managed with surgery first, then chemotherapy; while larger tumors that involve only the cervix should receive chemotherapy and radiation, including a more targeted type of radiation therapy called brachytherapy. Scientific evidence for these recommendations is often limited, sometimes extrapolating from other types of cervical cancers or neuroendocrine carcinomas that occur in other body systems. With more cervical cancers being diagnosed in Alberta, it is possible that there have been more cases of SCNECC lately. Better understanding of how our patients fare after different treatments will help us identify best options for treating this rare cancer going forward. We also know very little about how to monitor for SCNECC recurrence after treatment. By looking at outcomes for women with SCNECC who received care at the Cross Cancer Institute (CCI) in Edmonton, Alberta, between 2007 and 2023, we hope to measure survival times and treatment-related complications, also specific factors that might impact on these results. We will describe the timing and patterns of disease recurrence. This study will help guide clinical practice, using made-in-Alberta data to improve treatment and follow-up care for our patients. What we learn could potentially help other care teams, as well, in the management of cervical cancer.