I now have all the information needed for a comprehensive analysis and treatment plan. Here is the complete report:
PET-CT Report Analysis & Complete Diagnosis
Patient: Ms. Mithu Devi | Age: 48 yrs 6 months | Female | Date: 20-Jul-2026
This is a continuation of the previously analysed histopathology report (squamous cell carcinoma cervix). The PET-CT was done for pre-treatment staging - the right investigation at the right time.
Complete PET-CT Findings - Region by Region
| Region | Finding | Significance |
|---|
| Brain | Normal - no abnormal FDG uptake | No brain metastasis |
| Head/Neck | Bilateral tonsil uptake - likely inflammatory | Benign |
| Cervical/Supraclavicular lymph nodes | No FDG-avid nodes | No upper node spread |
| Lungs | Tiny calcific nodule, left lower lobe - benign. No FDG uptake | No lung metastasis |
| Heart/Mediastinum | Normal | Benign |
| Liver | Enlarged (~17.1 cm), diffuse fatty changes - no FDG uptake | Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) - not cancer spread |
| PRIMARY TUMOR - Cervix | FDG-avid lesion: 2.8 x 4.2 x 3.4 cm, SUVmax 13.3 - extends into upper vagina. Closely abuts bladder wall and rectum - no infiltration confirmed | Active primary malignancy |
| Left External Iliac Lymph Node | ~1.5 x 1.0 cm, SUVmax 14.3 - metabolically active | Likely metastatic spread |
| Other pelvic/aortic nodes | Multiple small, non-FDG-avid nodes | Likely reactive, not metastatic |
| Ureters (bilateral) | Uninvolved | No obstruction |
| Adnexa (ovaries/tubes) | Unremarkable | Not involved |
| Bones | Diffuse marrow uptake - physiological | Normal marrow stimulation, no bone metastasis |
| Rest of body | No other abnormal FDG-avid foci | No distant metastasis |
Definitive Diagnosis
Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix
FIGO 2018 Stage IIIC1 (pIIIC1)
Here is why this is Stage IIIC1 specifically:
Under FIGO 2018 staging (updated from previous criteria):
- Stage IIIC = Regional lymph node involvement
- IIIC1 = Pelvic lymph node metastasis (left external iliac node, confirmed on PET-CT)
- IIIC2 = Para-aortic nodes (not involved here)
The tumor itself is approximately Stage IIA/IIB by local extent (4.2 cm, upper vaginal extension, abutting but not invading bladder/rectum). However, the positive left external iliac lymph node (SUVmax 14.3) upgrades this to Stage IIIC1 under FIGO 2018 rules.
Summary at a glance:
- Primary tumor: 2.8 x 4.2 x 3.4 cm, cervix + upper vagina, SUVmax 13.3 (highly metabolically active)
- Regional spread: Left external iliac lymph node metastasis (1.5 x 1.0 cm, SUVmax 14.3)
- No distant metastasis (lungs, liver, bones clear)
- No bladder or rectal invasion (very important - still Stage IIIC, not Stage IV)
This is locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) with pelvic lymph node metastasis - treatable with curative intent.
Treatment Plan (2025-2026 Standard of Care)
This patient is now eligible for the most up-to-date treatment protocol, which has significantly improved survival compared to older approaches.
STANDARD TREATMENT: Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) + Brachytherapy + Pembrolizumab
Phase 1: INDUCTION CHEMOTHERAPY (Weeks 1-6, optional but recommended)
Based on the GCIG INTERLACE trial (Lancet 2024), giving 6 weeks of induction chemotherapy before CCRT improved outcomes in locally advanced disease.
- Carboplatin (AUC 2) + Paclitaxel (80 mg/m²) IV weekly × 6 cycles
- This "debulks" the tumor and the positive lymph node before radiation begins
- NCCN (Version 2, 2026) and ESGO guidelines both support this step
Phase 2: CONCURRENT CHEMORADIATION (CCRT) - Weeks 7-12 (5-6 weeks)
A. External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT)
- Dose: 45-50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks (5 days/week)
- Boost to left external iliac node: Additional simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) of ~57.5 Gy to the involved lymph node
- Technique: IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) or VMAT - reduces bowel and bladder toxicity
- Field: Whole pelvis covering cervix, uterus, parametrium, upper vagina, bilateral iliac, obturator, and presacral lymph nodes
B. Concurrent Chemotherapy (Radiosensitizer)
- Cisplatin 40 mg/m² IV weekly × 5-6 doses during radiation
- Must pre-hydrate adequately (1-2L IV fluids) to protect kidneys
- Weekly CBC to monitor bone marrow
C. Pembrolizumab (Immunotherapy) - NEW STANDARD (FDA Approved Jan 2024)
- Pembrolizumab 200 mg IV every 3 weeks concurrent with CCRT
- Based on KEYNOTE-A18 trial - this is now the standard for FIGO Stage III-IVA disease
- At 2-year follow-up (SGO 2025): OS 87% vs 81% (pembrolizumab vs placebo with CCRT), PFS HR 0.70
- Approved by FDA (Jan 2024), European Commission (Oct 2024), supported by NCCN 2026 and ESGO
Phase 3: BRACHYTHERAPY (After EBRT is complete)
- High-Dose Rate (HDR) Intracavitary Brachytherapy - 3-5 sessions
- Typically 6-7 Gy per fraction × 4-5 fractions
- Delivers concentrated radiation directly to the cervix/vaginal vault
- This step is non-negotiable - EBRT alone is not sufficient for local control
- Total treatment must be completed within 8 weeks of starting CCRT
Phase 4: MAINTENANCE PEMBROLIZUMAB (After CCRT completion)
- Pembrolizumab 400 mg IV every 6 weeks (or 200 mg every 3 weeks) for up to 14 additional cycles (~1 year)
- This consolidation phase is what drives the sustained survival benefit seen in KEYNOTE-A18
Treatment Timeline at a Glance
Weeks 1-6: INDUCTION - Carboplatin + Paclitaxel weekly × 6
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Weeks 7-12: EBRT (45-50 Gy / 25 fx) + Cisplatin (40 mg/m² weekly)
+ Pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks (concurrent)
[Boost 57.5 Gy to left external iliac node]
─────────────────────────────────────────────
Weeks 13-15: HDR Brachytherapy × 4-5 fractions
─────────────────────────────────────────────
Weeks 16-72: Maintenance Pembrolizumab (14 cycles, ~1 year)
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Response assessment MRI Pelvis: 3 months after completing CCRT
PET-CT reassessment: 3-6 months post-treatment
Important Pre-Treatment Workup
Before starting treatment, these must be done:
| Investigation | Purpose |
|---|
| MRI Pelvis with contrast | Detailed local staging, parametrial extent, bladder/rectal relationship |
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) | Baseline before chemotherapy |
| Serum creatinine / eGFR | Kidney function before cisplatin (creatinine already 0.70 - good) |
| LFT | Liver function (fatty liver noted - monitor during treatment) |
| Hemoglobin | Must be >10 g/dL before radiation; transfuse if needed |
| Blood glucose | Noted 161 mg/dL on scan - check for diabetes; hyperglycemia reduces immunotherapy efficacy |
| PD-L1 testing | For pembrolizumab eligibility (CPS score from histopathology blocks) |
| ECG / Echo | Baseline cardiac before paclitaxel |
Managing Key Side Effects
| Side Effect | Management |
|---|
| Nausea (cisplatin) | Ondansetron + dexamethasone + IV fluids before each dose |
| Bone marrow suppression | Weekly CBC; hold cisplatin if WBC <3000, platelets <75,000 |
| Radiation cystitis | Hydration, urinary alkalinizers (sodium bicarbonate), phenazopyridine |
| Radiation proctitis | Low-residue diet, stool softeners, mesalamine suppositories |
| Vaginal stenosis | Start vaginal dilators 4-6 weeks after brachytherapy |
| Immune-related adverse events (pembrolizumab) | Monitor for thyroid dysfunction, colitis, pneumonitis, hepatitis |
| Peripheral neuropathy (paclitaxel) | Dose reduction if Grade 2+; gabapentin for symptom control |
| Fatigue | Common; ensure adequate nutrition and iron supplementation |
Prognosis
With the new pembrolizumab + CCRT + brachytherapy regimen for Stage IIIC1:
| Outcome | Data |
|---|
| 2-year Overall Survival | ~87% (KEYNOTE-A18 2025 update) |
| 2-year Progression-Free Survival | Significantly better vs CCRT alone (HR 0.70) |
| Without pembrolizumab (CCRT alone) | 5-yr survival ~30-50% for Stage III |
| Key favorable factors in THIS patient | No distant metastasis, bladder/rectum not invaded, only 1 pelvic node involved, normal kidneys, young enough |
This patient's prognosis is substantially better than the average Stage III patient because:
- Only one pelvic lymph node is involved (the left external iliac)
- No para-aortic nodes involved
- No distant metastasis anywhere in the body
- Bladder and rectum are not invaded
- Both kidneys and ureters are normal
Where to Go for Treatment
In India, the following centres offer this protocol with subsidized or free treatment under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY:
- AIIMS New Delhi - Department of Radiation Oncology
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai - Premium cancer centre in India
- SGPGI, Lucknow - Closest major centre (given Gorakhpur location)
- BHU Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi - Regional cancer centre
- RIMS / NCI, Jhajjar (AIIMS affiliate)
Bring: the histopathology report with slides and blocks, this PET-CT report with CD, and all previous investigation reports to the first appointment.
Bottom line: Mithu Devi has Stage IIIC1 cervical squamous cell carcinoma - locally advanced but with no distant spread, making it potentially curable with current standards. The treatment is Concurrent Chemoradiation (cisplatin + EBRT + brachytherapy) plus Pembrolizumab immunotherapy, which is the FDA and ESGO-approved standard as of 2024-2026. Timely initiation of treatment is critical - ideally within 2-4 weeks.