Histopathologic subtyping of cervical adenocarcinoma reveals increasing incidence rates of endometrioid tumors in all age groups: a population based study with review of all nonsquamous cervical carcinomas in Norway from 1966 to 1970, 1976 to 1980, and 1986 to 1990

BACKGROUND: The effect of histopathologic review and subclassification on incidence rates for nonsquamous cell carcinoma (non-SCC) of the uterine cervix in the Norwegian population was evaluated. METHODS: All non-SCC from three 5-year periods (1966-70, 1976-80, and 1986-90) were reviewed, classified, and graded. RESULTS: Incidence rates were 1.2, 1.2, and 1.7 per 100,000 for adenocarcinoma and 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 per 100,000 for other carcinomas in the three periods. Adenocarcinomas increased in all age groups, most markedly in women younger than 35 years. Incidence rates for both major subgroups of endocervical (EC) and endometrioid (EM) carcinomas increased for women younger than 55 years. After 1976-80, the incidence rate for EC, but not for EM, decreased in women older than 55 years. Endometrioid carcinoma became the dominant histologic subtype in 1986-90. Shifts toward lower clinical stages and younger age were found for EC, EM, and carcinoma not otherwise specified (NOS). Patients with NOS, clear cell, serous, or glassy cell/undifferentiated carcinoma were older, and their disease was diagnosed at higher stages. Distribution of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages was: Stage I: 62%; Stage II: 21%; Stage III: 12%; and Stage IV: 5%. Distribution of histologic subgroups was: EC:, 24%; EM: 21%; NOS: 16%; clear cell: 7%; adenosquamous: 7%; small cell: 6%; serous: 4%; undifferentiated: 3%; and villoglandular carcinoma: 2%. Other subgroups were seen only sporadically. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence rates of non-SCC of the uterine cervix are increasing in Norway. Improvements in diagnostic procedures may explain shifts toward lower stage and age of patients but not the observed differences between histologic subgroups.     

Microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix.

BACKGROUND. Microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix (MIC) has been poorly defined in the past and is still a focus of persistent controversy. In 1985, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) defined Stage IA as "preclinical invasive carcinoma, diagnosed by microscopy only," subdividing it into Stage IA1 or "minimal microscopic stromal invasion," and Stage IA2 or "tumor with invasive component 5 mm or less in depth taken from the base of the epithelium and 7 mm or less in horizontal spread." In 1974, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) defined MIC as any lesion with a depth of invasion of 3 mm or less from the base of the epithelium, without lymphatic or vascular space invasion. METHODS. To assess the risk of lymph node metastasis and treatment failures, pathologic material and clinical data on 370 patients with Stage I carcinoma of the cervix, who were treated by radical hysterectomy and pelvic-aortic node dissection, were reviewed. Histopathologic analysis of tumors was based on a uniform format, including measurement of the maximum depth of invasion, the width and length of the horizontal tumor spread, invasive growth pattern, cell type, tumor grade, and lymphatic or vascular space involvement. RESULTS. Of the 370 patients, 110 had a depth of invasion of 5 mm or less. Of these, 54 patients fulfilled the SGO definition of MIC; 42, the new FIGO Stage IA2 definition; and 27, both definitions. None of the patients with MIC, as defined by either the SGO or the new FIGO Stage IA2, had lymph node metastases or tumor recurrence. These data support the conclusion that MIC, defined by either the SGO or FIGO definitions, have a low risk for lymph node metastasis or recurrent carcinoma. A review of the literature indicated a recurrence rate for Stage IA2 of 4.2%. In addition to depth of invasion, lymph vascular space invasion is a better predictor of lymph node metastasis and recurrence than the surface dimension. CONCLUSIONS. The authors recommend adoption of the SGO definition of MIC. Patients with a depth of invasion of 3 mm or less without lymph vascular space invasion safely can be treated conservatively.     

Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. Prognosis and patterns of failure in 367 cases

Between 1965 and 1985, 367 patients received initial treatment for adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). Of the 334 patients treated with curative intent, 223 had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage I, 60 had Stage II, and 51 had Stage III/IV disease. The 5-year and 10-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rates for all patients treated for Stage I disease were 73% and 70%, respectively. RFS was strongly correlated with initial bulk of disease (P = 0.002), although locoregional control (LRC) was good in all groups: 91 patients with a normal-sized cervix (tumor less than 3 cm) had a 5-year RFS rate of 88% and an actuarial LRC rate of 94%; 102 patients with lesions 3 to 5.9 cm in diameter had an RFS rate of 64% and an LRC rate of 82%; and 22 patients with bulky lesions greater than 6 cm in diameter had a comparable LRC rate of 81%, but an RFS rate of only 45%. Decreased RFS also was strongly correlated with positive lymphangiogram (LAG) results (P = 0.02) and poorly differentiated lesions (P = 0.0014). When initial primary tumor size was taken into account, there was no significant difference in RFS or LRC between patients treated with radiation (RT) alone or RT plus extrafascial hysterectomy (R + S). The 5-year and 10-year RFS rates of 60 patients who received curative therapy for Stage II disease were 32% and 25%, respectively, with an LRC rate of 62% at 5 years. Patients with bulky Stage II disease did particularly poorly, with a 5-year RFS rate of 15%. Decreased RFS was correlated with positive LAG results and poorly differentiated tumors. Most Stage II patients whose disease relapsed died with distant metastases (73%). Forty-eight patients with Stage III/IV disease treated with curative intent had a 5-year survival rate of 31% and a 5-year pelvic disease control rate of 52%. In summary, patients with small volume Stage IB lesions have excellent LRC and survival with RT alone. RT achieves good LRC of bulkier Stage I lesions, but survival decreases with increasing primary tumor size. R + S holds no apparent advantage over RT alone. Patients with more advanced disease have a high rate of relapse with frequent distant metastasis. In particular, the survival of patients with FIGO Stage II disease is much lower than what we have observed after treatment of comparable stage squamous carcinoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Microinvasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage IA)

In 1985 the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) subdivided Stage IA cervical cancer and specified metric criteria to demarcate Stage IA from Stage IB. Early stromal invasion (Stage IA1) denotes the first invasive protrusions of a carcinoma in situ into the stroma. Microcarcinomas (Stage IA2) are small cancers a number of orders of magnitude larger than Stage IA1 lesions and with a maximum depth of invasion of 5 mm and a maximum horizontal spread of 7 mm; larger lesions are classified as Stage IB. This study reviews 486 patients previously classified as having Stage IA disease. This yielded 344 Stage IA1 and 101 Stage IA2 lesions; 41 cancers were reclassified as Stage IB. Three hundred nine, 89, and 38 patients were followed for greater than or equal to 5 years. One (0.3%) patient with Stage IA1 disease re-presented with Stage IIB disease 12 years after conization. Five (5.6%) patients with Stage IA2 lesions developed invasive recurrences; three died. None of the 38 patients reclassified as having a Stage IB lesion, including 16 who were treated conservatively, developed a recurrence. The FIGO classification is not a guideline for treatment. Stage IA1 lesions can be treated conservatively, but treatment in Stage IA2 must be individualized. Risk factors such as vascular space involvement and confluency are of high sensitivity but low specificity.     

A therapeutic approach to primary adenocarcinoma of the cervix

Retrospective study of 97 patients with primary adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of two treatment methods, radiation alone and radiation plus surgery. Of 31 Stage I patients, 16 were treated with radiation alone and 15 with combined radiation plus surgery. There was no difference in 5-year disease-free survival of Stage I patients treated by either method. Of 44 Stage II patients, 30 were treated with radiation alone with 54% survival rate; while 14 were treated with a combined approach, with 86% survival rate. It is apparent from the results of this study that surgery in conjunction with radiation showed a significant improved survival rate from 54% to 86% in Stage II disease. Factors influencing the prognosis appear to be tumor volume, uterine size, and tumor grade. Furthermore, these data suggest that early primary adenocarcinoma of the cervix (Stage I, lesion smaller than 4 cm) can be treated effectively by radiation alone or radical hysterectomy with comparable results. Tumors larger than 4 cm, Stage II or beyond disease, uterine enlargement, a high-grade tumor or barrel-shaped lesion, would necessitate a combined therapy to improve the cure rate.     

Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix

The prognosis of 589 patients with adenocarcinoma, 387 with mixed type of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix from 18 hospitals in Japan were evaluated. Stage 0, I a patients with adenocarcinoma or mixed type had good survival. Stage I b, II, III patients had smaller five-year survival (p less than 0.01) than squamous cell carcinoma. Lymph nodes metastasis was related to poorer survival. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy was not sufficient for patients with stage I b, II, III, IV diseases.     

Prognostic factors in neuroendocrine small cell cervical carcinoma: a multivariate analysis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathologic factors associated with survival in patients with neuroendocrine (NE) cervical carcinoma. METHODS: All patients with NE cervical carcinoma diagnosed between 1979-2001 were identified from tumor registry databases at two hospitals. Data were collected from hospital charts, office records, and tumor registry files. The impact of clinical and pathologic risk factors on the survival of patients with small cell NE carcinoma of the cervix was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier life table analyses and log-rank tests. The independent prognostic factors found to be predictive of survival in univariate analysis were evaluated using Cox regression. All tests were two-tailed with P values < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (median age, 42 years) were diagnosed with neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma, which included 21 with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage I disease, 6 with FIGO Stage II disease, 5 with FIGO Stage III disease, and 2 with FIGO Stage IV disease. Seventeen patients underwent a radical and 6 patients underwent a simple hysterectomy. Fourteen women received adjuvant therapy with pelvic radiation and/or cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Ten women received primary radiotherapy with (n = 5) or without (n = 4) chemotherapy and the remaining patient refused therapy. Women with early-stage (Stage I-IIA) disease had median survival rates of 31 months compared with 10 months in the advanced-stage (Stage IIB-IVB) group (P = 0.002). In univariate analysis, advanced stage (P = 0.002), tumor size >2 cm (P = 0.02), margin involvement (P = 0.016), pure versus a mixed histologic pattern (P = 0.04), margin status (P = 0.016), and smoking (P = 0.04) were considered poor prognostic factors. In multivariate analysis, smoking for early-stage patients and stage of disease in the overall population remained as independent prognostic factors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and advanced stage are reported to be poor prognostic factors for survival in patients with NE small cell carcinoma of the cervix. Only those with early lesions amenable to extirpation are cured. The role of primary or postoperative radiation with or without chemotherapy is unclear and yields uniformly poor results, particularly in patients with advanced lesions. Clinical trials are needed.     

The effect of volume of disease in patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix

This is a retrospective study of 635 consecutively treated patients with FIGO Stage IIB or IIIB carcinoma of the uterine cervix. All patients were treated definitively with radiation therapy. The effect of volume of disease on outcome was studied. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year disease-free survivals (DFS) for the 346 Stage IIB patients were 64%, 61%, and 58%, respectively. Corresponding DFS for the 289 Stage IIIB patients were 40%, 38%, and 34%, respectively. The presence of bilateral parametrial invasion did not alter the 10-year DFS in Stage IIB patients (61% vs 64%, p = 0.60) but did decrease it in Stage IIIB patients (34% vs 50%, p = 0.006). Patients with both Stage IIB and IIIB cancers and central bulky disease (greater than or equal to 5 cm in diameter) had decreased DFS when compared to those without central bulky disease. Stage IIB patients with the lateral half of the parametrium involved had a decreased 10-year DFS in comparison with medial half involvement (52% vs 68%, p = 0.004). The total pelvic failure rate was 23% for Stage IIB and 41% for Stage IIIB patients. Central bulkiness increased the pelvic failure rate by about 11% for all patients. Bilateral parametrial disease increased the pelvic failure rate in Stage IIIB patients but not in patients with Stage IIB disease. The total pelvic failure rate for Stage IIB patients was greater in those whose disease extended into the lateral parametrium. Multivariate analysis was done using stage, lateral pelvic wall dose, parametrial disease, central bulkiness, age, and total dose to point A as variables. With local control as the endpoint, only stage (IIB vs IIIB) was significant (p = 0.008). Using DFS as the endpoint, stage (p = 0.0001) and central bulkiness of tumor (p = 0.026) were significant. Complications were not increased in patients with bulky or bilateral disease. We conclude that there is justification for subdividing FIGO Stage IIIB patients into those with unilateral or bilateral disease; however, these data do not support such a division for FIGO Stage IIB patients. These latter patients would be better analyzed with reference to medial versus lateral parametrial extension because of the difference in pelvic control and survival.     

Invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix in women age 25 or less

The incidence of cervix cancer in young women appears to be increasing. However, the influence of young age on prognosis remains unknown. There is almost no information on the prognosis of very young women, age 25 years or less, with invasive cervical carcinoma. From April 1969 to June 1987, 40/2195 (1.8%) patients, age 25 years or less, with invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix were diagnosed, staged, and treated at our institution. Median age was 24.7 years (range 20.7 to 25.9 years). Distribution by FIGO stage was: Stage IA 7 (18%), Stage IB 23 (58%), Stage II 4 (10%), Stage III 4 (10%), and Stage IVA 2 (4%). Thirty-four (85%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma and six (15%) had adenocarcinoma. Treatment consisted of radical hysterectomy for all Stage IA patients, radical hysterectomy with or without bilateral pelvic node dissection for the 12 early Stage IB patients, and radiation with or without surgery for the remaining 11 Stage IB patients and all Stage II-IVA patients. Median follow-up was 122 months (range 13.2-190.6 months). Five-year disease-free survival rates were: Stage IA 100%; Stage IB 54.8%; and Stage II-IVA 13.7%. Five-year disease-free survival for the Stage IB patients with squamous cell carcinoma age 25 years or less was 64.7%, compared with 83% for women of all ages with Stage IB squamous histology treated at our institution. Seven of 23 Stage IB patients suffered regional recurrence only, one a local recurrence only, one a distant recurrence only, and one a combined recurrence. Seventy-five percent of these patients presented with Stage I disease; however, one-third died from their disease. The major site of failure was in the pelvis only. This, coupled with the low risk of long-term serious complications, suggests that more aggressive pelvic therapy may result in improved disease-free survival.     

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with radiation and concurrent chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression was an indicator of prognosis in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage IIB uterine cervical carcinoma who underwent radiation and concurrent chemotherapy. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with FIGO Stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix who were treated with radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy between 1991 and 1996 were divided into two groups according to their COX-2 level in an immunohistochemical study: the COX-2 negative group (n = 54 patients) and the COX-2 positive group (n = 21 patients). The clinicopathologic features, patterns of treatment failure, and survival data for patients in the COX-2 positive group were compared with data from the patients in the COX-2 negative group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors that influenced patient survival. RESULTS: In the immunohistochemical study, COX-2 overexpression was observed in approximately 30% of patients with FIGO Stage IIB SCC of the uterine cervix. With delayed regression to the initial treatment, the treatment failure rate of patients in the COX-2 positive group was much higher compared with the treatment failure rate of patients in the COX-2 negative group. The higher incidence of central failure and lymph node failure for patients in the COX-2 positive group was statistically significant (48% for the COX-2 positive group vs. 13% for the COX-2 negative group). However, there was no difference in the incidence of hematogenous metastases between the two groups (5% for the COX-2 positive group vs. 7% for the COX-2 negative group). In addition, increased COX-2 expression in tumor cells also was correlated with a shorter interval to tumor recurrence (median interval to recurrence, 9 months in the COX-2 positive group vs. 26 months in the COX-2 negative group). Compared with patients in the COX-2 negative group, patients in the COX-2 positive group had lower overall actuarial and disease free survival rates (overall 5-year actuarial survival rates: 56% for the COX-2 positive group vs. 94% for the COX-2 negative group; P = 0.003). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that COX-2 overexpression was an independent prognostic factor that surpassed other well-known clinicopathologic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: COX-2 overexpression can be used as a potent molecular risk factor in patients with FIGO Stage IIB SCC of the uterine cervix who are treated with radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy.     

影响宫颈腺癌放射治疗的预后因素

 本文收集我院1980～1990年放射治疗宫颈腺癌163例根据FIGO分期Ⅰ期10例6．13％、Ⅱ期54例33．13％、Ⅲ期88例153．99％、Ⅳ期2例1．23％。9例中断治疗、17例失访、总5年生存率为50．28％。经COX回归分析，影响宫颈腺癌放射治疗的预后因素是：临床分期、肿瘤分化程度和放疗后肿瘤的消退情况。     

Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix

Fifty patients with adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix were evaluated retrospectively. Treatment was based on the stage and size of tumors and the overall medical condition of the patient. Radical surgery or surgery in combination with radiation therapy was employed whenever possible. The overall survival rate was 50%, with Stage IB survival 74%. Survival in Stage IB patients was adversely affected by increasing tumor grade and size. This closely correlated with a tendency of the tumors to dedifferentiate as they increased in size. Lymph node involvement increased with increasing grade of tumor as well. Survival in patients with advanced disease was dismal. Survival increased with aggressive management which should, if possible, include surgery in Stage I and II disease.     

Radiation therapy alone or combined with surgery in the treatment of barrel-shaped carcinoma of the uterine cervix (stages IB, IIA, IIB)

This retrospective analysis reports the results of therapy in 128 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix classified as barrel-shaped or expanded cervix (over 5 cm in diameter). Seventy-five percent of the patients were treated with irradiation alone and 25% with combinations of irradiation and surgery. The results of therapy are compared with those observed in 714 patients with non-barrel-shaped carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with similar techniques during the same period of time. The distribution of histological type of tumor was similar in both groups (90% epidermoid carcinoma, 8% adenocarcinoma, and 2% adenosquamous carcinoma). Approximately 15% of the patients in both groups with Stage IB and 25% with Stage IIA and IIB had positive endometrial curettings (stromal invasion or replacement by tumor only). Thus, the aggressive behavior observed in the barrel-shaped tumors is not a result of endometrial involvement, but to the large volume of tumor present. The actuarial 5-year tumor free survival in Stage IB barrel-shaped cervix was 76% compared to 92% in the non-barrel-shaped lesions. In Stage IIA the 5-year NED survival for patients with barrel-shaped cervix was 60 compared to 80% for the patients with non-barrel-shaped cervix. In Stage IIB the survival rates were 58 and 70%, respectively. A noteworthy finding in this analysis is the high incidence of distant metastases in the patients with barrel-shaped cervix (32% in Stage IB, 40% in Stage IIA, and 32% in Stage IIB) in comparison with patients with non-barrel-shaped tumors (10% in Stage IB, 16% in Stage IIA, and 25% in Stage IIB). The incidence of pelvic failures was comparable in both groups. Higher doses of irradiation resulted in better tumor control, which was comparable to that observed with a combination of irradiation and surgery (conservative hysterectomy). The 5-year survival rate in Stage IB was similar in both the barrel-shaped and non-barrel-shaped tumors treated with irradiation alone or combination irradiation and surgery. In Stage IIA the non-barrel-shaped lesions had the same survival with either treatment technique. In the barrel-shape group, eight patients treated with irradiation alone or survival of 70%, compared to 45% in 24 patients treated with irradiation alone. However, these differences are not statistically significant (p = .50). In eight patients treated with definitive irradiation and a lymphadenectomy and four patients irradiated after an exploratory laparotomy, two major and three minor (grade 2) complications were noted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Endocrine carcinoma intermediate cell type of the uterine cervix

Nine cases of endocrine carcinoma, intermediate-cell type of the uterine cervix, were found in a study of 404 cases listed in the files of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston as adenocarcinoma of the cervix. Based on light microscopic patterns, these cases were divided into pure endocrine carcinoma (six cases), and endocrine carcinoma mixed with adenocarcinoma (three cases). All tumors were 3 cm or larger in at least one dimension. On light microscopic examination, the predominant pattern was trabecular; however, insular, glandular, and spindle patterns were also identified. Argyrophilic granules were demonstrated in all cases by Grimelius stain, and Fontana-Masson (argentaffin) stain was negative. Electron microscopic examination of three cases showed membrane-bound, dense-core granules of the neurosecretory type. Although no endocrine symptoms were found, immunoperoxidase studies demonstrated 5-hydroxytryptamine in seven cases, substance P in three, vasointestinal polypeptide in two, pancreatic polypeptide in one, and somatostatin in one. Clinical behavior of these tumors was extremely aggressive. Although five cases were Stage IB at presentation, two Stage IIB, one Stage IIIB, and one Stage IV, 87.5% of these patients died of their neoplasms within 3 years. This study emphasizes the importance of correctly diagnosing endocrine carcinoma, intermediate-cell type in the uterine cervix, because of the poor prognosis of this tumor when compared with adenocarcinoma of the cervix.     

Radiotherapy of carcinoma of the uterine cervix in Singapore, 1973-1975

The results of 322 patients with uterine cervix carcinoma treated by radiotherapy at the Singapore General Hospital in the 3-year period from 1973 to 75 are presented. Two hundred seventy-nine patients were treated with a combination of intracavitary radium, using Fletcher-Suit applicators and cobalt teletherapy; the remaining 43 patients received only cobalt teletherapy. One hundred thirty-four patients (41.6%) presented with FIGO Stage III disease. Only 46 patients (14.3%) presented with Stage I disease, showing that patients tended to present late in the disease course. Five-year actuarial (uncorrected) survival rates of 86.7% for Stage I, 65.0% for Stage II, 41.4% for Stage III and 4.9% for Stage IV were obtained with corresponding 10 year rates of 79.6%, 60.2%, 35.2% and 0%. The overall 5 and 10 year survival rates were 54.0% and 48.2%, respectively. The survival rates "flattened off" at about 7-8 years, reflecting late deaths after the fifth anniversary of treatment. Non-severe complications consisted mainly of chronic proctitis (41.3%) and vaginal stenosis (20.8%). Major complications were intestinal stricture (1.2%) and fistula formation (1.6%).     

Carcinoma of the intact uterine cervix treated with radiotherapy alone: A french cooperative study: Update and multivariate analysis of prognostics factors

: To determine independent prognostic factors in a group of 1875 patients with invasive carcinoma of the intact uterine cervix treated with radiotherapy alone in a French cooperative study from 1970 to 1993.

: Patients were staged according to the UICC-FIGO and MDAH substaging. The distribution per FIGO stage was Ia-Ib: 25.5%; IIa: 29%; IIIa: 5%; IIIb: 25%, and IV: 3.5%. Ninety-two percent had squamous cell carcinoma. The maximum diameter of the clinically detectable cervical disease was less than 3 cm in 24.5% of Stages I–II and in 10% of Stages III–IV, more than 5 cm in 13.5% of Stages I–II, and in 16% of Stages III–IV. Nodal involvement was shown on lymphangiogram in 16% of Stages I–II and in 32.5% of Stages III–IV.

: 1) Univariate analysis of Stages I and II: stage, cervical disease diameter, and nodal involvement are significant prognostic factors. Five-year specific survival rate (5ySS) in 83.5% in Stage Ib, 81% in IIa and 71% in IIb. Five-year disease-free survival rate (5yDFS) is 86% in tumors less of 3 cm, 76% in tumors of 3 to 5 cm, and 61.5% in tumor larger than 5 cm. Lymphangiogram strongly influences the 5-year pelvic disease-free survival rate (5yPDFS): respectively, 90% in nonpositive lymphangiogram vs. 65% when positive. A significant drop in specific and disease-free survival is observed (10 and 14%, respectively (p = 0.04) when comparing adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Age is a significant prognostic factor for specific because patients aged less than 30 years old have 91% vs. about 75% for patients over 30 years (p = 0.03). 2) Univariate analysis of Stages III–IV: Stage and positive lymphagiogram are predictive factors for relapse and death. Te MDAH substaging is more reliable to predict the probability of pelvic disease-free survival in Stage III. At 5 years, the FIGO Stages IIIa and IIIb have a rather similar PDFS (65% vs. 59%). Conversely, the difference of survival rates between MDAH Stage IIIA and Stage IIIB is more demonstrative (69% vs. 47.5%). 3) Multivariate analysis (Cox P. H. R. model). Nodal involvement and stage remain significant for all three models in all stages (p < 0.0001). Age above 70 years influences specific survival for Stage I–II (p = 0.01). Tumors larger than 5 cm and adenocarcinoma also appear to be independent prognostic factors for specific and disease-free survival in Stage I–II (p = 0.05 and p = 0.005, respectively).

: The relevance of tumor size (less or greater than 4 cm) is now recognized in the 1995 revised FIGO staging in Stage Ib but unfortunately not in other stages. Tumor size per stage and nodal status should be systematically recorded to allow a better prediction of failure rates and to compare literature reports.     

Pathology of the cervix: recent developments

In the UK, cervical carcinoma is still the eleventh most common cause of cancer in women--it comprises 2% of all female cancers, and accounts for 927 deaths in 2002 alone. The most effective treatments to date are surgery in the form of loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) for pre-invasive disease, LLETZ or simple hysterectomy with laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stages IA1 and IA2 microinvasive carcinomas, and Wertheim's hysterectomy or Coelio-Schauta for FIGO Stage IB disease along with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patents with at least FIGO Stage IB disease. However, radical trachelectomy, which involves a radical excision of the cervix with simultaneous laparoscopic or extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy, may be used selectively in patients with up to FIGO Stage IB1 cancers, as this may preserve fertility in younger women. This paper briefly discusses the role of human papilloma viruses (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the development of cervical pre-cancer, and some of the improvements in the techniques used in the cervical carcinoma screening programme. In addition, the diagnosis, staging, spread and prognostic factors involved in invasive cervical carcinoma are mentioned. We will also discuss the role of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of invasive cervical carcinoma and recent advances in the molecular pathology of cervical carcinomas.     

Cerebral tumor staging in patients with bronchial carcinoma by computed tomography

Computerized tomographic (CT) scans of 271 patients with histologically proven bronchial carcinoma accomplished for initial tumor staging were retrospectively evaluated for signs of cerebral metastasis. The results for the histologic subtypes were quite different. In 13.8% of patients with small cell carcinoma and limited disease the authors found signs of brain metastasis. However, routine cerebral staging in these patients did not seem to be useful because of lack of therapeutic consequences. On the other hand, no patient with non-small cell carcinoma (N-SCC) and tumor Stage I or II had brain metastases. All patients with brain metastasis from N-SCC had been classified as tumor Stage III before cerebral imaging. Among these patients, however, the authors found brain metastasis in 17.5% of those without known distant metastatic disease (III/M0), especially in large cell carcinoma and in adenocarcinoma. Stage III/M0 patients should undergo routine cerebral imaging if their tumor is surgically resectable and thoracotomy is planned.     

Carcinoma of the uterine cervix stage IB and early stage II. Prognostic value of the histological tumor regression after initial brachytherapy

In our center limited centro pelvic invasive carcinomas of the uterine cervix (less than 4 cm) are treated with brachytherapy and surgery. With these therapeutic modalities no residual carcinoma was observed for 80% of the patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our results with this treatment, and to evaluate the prognostic value of the pathological status of the cervix. From 1976 to 1987 we have treated 115 patients with these modalities. Staging system used was the FIGO classification modified for Stage II (divided in early Stage II and late Stage II). Patients were Stage IB (70 cases) and early Stage II (45 cases); 60 Gy were delivered with utero vaginal brachytherapy before any treatment. Six weeks later a radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. Twenty-one patients with positive nodes received a pelvic radiotherapy (45 to 55 Gy). Local control rate was 97% (100% for Stage IB and 93% for early Stage II). Uncorrected 10-year actuarial survival rate was 96% for Stage IB and 80% for early Stage II patients. No treatment failure was observed for Stage IB patients. Ninety-two patients (80%) had no residual carcinoma in the cervix (group 1) and 23 patients (20%) had a residual tumor (group 2). The sterilization rate of the cervix was 87% for Stage IB tumors versus 69% for early Stage II, and was 82% for N- patients versus 68% for N+ patients. Ten year actuarial survival rate was 92% for group 1 and 78% for group 2 (p = 0, 1). Grade 3 complications rate was 6%. We conclude that brachytherapy + surgery is a safe treatment for limited centro pelvic carcinomas of the uterine cervix (especially Stage IB) and that pathological status of the cervix after brachytherapy is not a prognostic factor.     

磁共振弥散加权成像对宫颈癌新辅助化疗后无进展生存期的预测价值

目的 探讨磁共振弥散加权成像对新辅助化疗后宫颈癌患者无进展生存期(Progression free survival,PFS)的预测作用。方法 回顾性分析经术后病理证实为宫颈癌的患者32例,分析术后病理、治疗前及化疗后常规 MRI 及 DWI 检查结果,用Kaplan-Meier和Cox风险比例回归对所有患者病理结果及MRI资料进行单因素及多因素生存期分析。ROC曲线用于寻找独立预后因素预测疾病进展的临界值。结果 32例患者中10例在随访期出现疾病进展。平均随访时间31.6±6.3个月。单因素分析结果显示FIGO分期、肿瘤最大径线、肌层浸润深度、淋巴结转移及治疗前后ADC值变化(ADC change between before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy,ΔADC)值与疾病进展有关。多因素分析显示FIGO分期与ΔADC为患者无进展生存期的独立预后因素,ROC曲线获得的临界值分别为2.00和0.31,曲线下面积分别为0.841(敏感度90.0%,特异度68.2%)和0.864(敏感度80.0%,特异度81.8%)。结论 在新辅助治疗的宫颈癌患者中,FIGO分期和ΔADC值对无进展生期有一定预测作用。