The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published draft guidance on the use of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy in the management of early-stage cervical cancer.
The draft recommendations advise that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (laparoscopic radical hysterectomy or robot-assisted radical hysterectomy) should not be used for tumours ≥2 cm.
The evidence on efficacy for tumours <2 cm has been inconclusive. Therefore, for tumours <2 cm, the procedure should only be used in the context of research.
The decision is based on the findings of a rapid review of published literature on the efficacy and safety of this procedure. The evidence included one randomised controlled trial, eight non-randomised comparative studies, one cohort study, two systematic reviews and five case reports. Data from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service were also reviewed.
The draft recommendations are now open for comment. The closing date for submission of comments is 5 pm, Thursday, 23rd July.
The final recommendations are expected to be published in December.
This article originally appeared on Univadis, part of the Medscape Professional Network.
