What MRI-based tumor size measurement is best for predicting long-term survival in uterine cervical cancer?

Insights into Imaging

Table 3 MRI-assessed maximum tumor diameter (MAX_imaging) and tumor volume (TVOL_imaging) in relation to other imaging findings in 416 patients with cervical cancer

Imaging findings	n	MAX_imaging, cm median (IQR)	p*	TVOL_imaging, cl median (IQR)	p*
Vaginal tumor extension			< 0.001		< 0.001
No	243	0 (0–2.2)		0 (0–0.2)
Yes	173	4.9 (4.0–6.2)		3.0 (1.2–6.0)
Parametrial infiltration			< 0.001		< 0.001
No	236	0 (0–1.9)		0 (0–0.1)
Yes	180	4.9 (4.1–6.1)		3.0 (1.4–6.0)
Enlarged (> 1 cm) pelvic lymph nodes			< 0.001		< 0.001
No	357	2.0 (0–4.2)		0.2 (0–1.6)
Yes	59	5.6 (4.9–6.6)		4.9 (2.5–6.8)
Tumor invasion into the bladder or rectum			< 0.001		< 0.001
No	380	2.4 (0–4.5)		0.24 (0–2.0)
Yes	36	6.6 (5.1–8.0)		6.2 (4.0–9.8)

IQR, Interquartile range
P values corrected for multiple testing of each size variable by Holm–Bonferroni method. Significant p values are given in boldface
*Mann–Whitney U test for two categories