Retrospective DNA analysis by rapid high resolution cytometry in cases with cervical cancer before and after radiotherapy

DNA analyses of nuclei of squamous cells on 86 cases with squamous cells carcinoma of the uterine cervix, who had been treated with radiotherapy, were studied in 95 specimens. Forty-three specimens taken from invasive cancer cases before radiotherapy and 52 smears taken from the patients with cervical cancer after radiotherapy were examined by rapid high-resolution cytometry. The biologic behavior in this retrospective study was known, and the cases were classified into "poor" and "good" prognostic groups depending on their five year survival rates. In the poor prognostic group, the smears taken prior to radiotherapy showed a significantly lower 5N-exceeding rate (5NER) and a smaller Nuclear area than did those of the good prognostic group. The smears taken from the cases of recurrent cancer and postradiation dysplasia with poor prognosis showed significantly lower 5NER and a smaller Nuclear area than did those from cases of postradiation dysplasia and radiation changes in patients with a good prognosis after radiotherapy.     

Benign glandular and squamous metaplastic-like cells seen in vaginal Pap smears of post hysterectomy patients: incidence and patient profile

We have observed benign glandular cells and squamous metaplastic-like cells in vaginal Pap smears of post hysterectomy patients (PHP). Vaginal Pap smears from 1,547 PHP were retrieved. In 2% of these smears (Group A) glandular cells were observed, with the majority of the smears revealing squamous metaplastic-like cells (47%). Mucinous endocervical columnar-like cells were seen in 9% of the cases, glandular cells not resembling endocervical cells in 13%, and a combination of the former two categories in 31%. Group A patients were compared with other PHP without these cells in their vaginal smears (Group B). Several clinical and surgical parameters were evaluated. A distinctive clinical profile was not identified for either group of patients (A or B). Of patients in group A 49.8% had a history of a previous gynecologic malignancy (Group B: 19%). Based on our study, we postulate that in the absence of a clinically identifiable source of these cells, the most likely source of origin is probably vaginal adenosis not associated with DES exposure in utero or a metaplastic phenomenon perhaps related to therapy. These cells do not seem to be related to imminent neoplasia or dysplasia.     

Sequential radiation changes in cytology of vaginal smears in carcinoma of cervix uteri during radiotherapy

The study deals with acute/immediate radiation changes in 2020 sequential vaginal smears in 101 patients of carcinoma of the cervix uteri, 97 were of squamous cell carcinoma and 4 of adenocarcinoma. The smears were collected after 12-14 days, 15-24 days and 25 days to 6 weeks following radiotherapy. The pretreatment vaginal smears were collected and examined for percentage of cancer cells. Subsequent smears were studied for radiation changes in benign and malignant cells, such as cell size, vacuolation of cytoplasm, multinucleation and nuclear changes, etc. A gradual and linear decline in cancer cells was observed until the end of therapy; 41.6% of patients had less than 10% cancer cells within 12-14 days of therapy, 63.4% of patients between 15 and 24 days and 74.6% after 25 days to 6 weeks following radiation. Eighty three percent of the patients attained zero level at the end of therapy.     

A randomized phase III trial of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer: preliminary results

OBJECTIVE: Concurrent chemoradiation is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. This study was a preliminary result of a randomized two arms, prospective, open-label phase III trial comparing the activity and safety of the concurrent chemoradiation of Tegafur-Uracil and carboplatin or carboplatin alone in locally advanced cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The stage IIB-IIIB cervical cancer patients were randomized to have Tegafur-Uracil 225 mg/m(2)/day orally, 5 days a week and carboplatin 100 mg/m(2) IV over 30-60 min, weekly on day 1 concurrent with standard radiotherapy (Group A) or carboplatin alone concurrent with standard radiotherapy (Group B). RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-nine patients were randomized to Group A (n=234) or Group B (n=235). The tumor response at 3-month follow-up time showed no significant difference. The only prognostic factor to improve the complete response rate was the hemoglobin level. The patients in Group A, who had Hb <10 gm/dL had the relatively better change to complete response of 1.48 compared to that in Group B (P 0.025, 95% CI 1.07, 2.04). No severe toxicity or adverse event had been reported. The median follow-up time for Group A and Group B was 12.6 and 11.8 months, respectively. There was no statistical difference in PFS and OS. CONCLUSION: Concurrent chemoradiation by Tegafur-Uracil and carboplatin showed no difference in tumor response rate or treatment toxicity compared to carboplatin alone. The combination drugs might have benefit in poor prognostic patients such as the baseline Hb <10 gm/dL.     

Radiation therapy induced micronuclei in cervical cancer--does it have a predictive value for local disease control?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of serial changes in micronuclei induction during external radiotherapy (EXRT) in cervical cancer with respect to local response at the end of EXRT and local disease free survival (LDFS). METHODS: Twenty-five patients of squamous cell cancer of the cervix were treated by 50 Gy of EXRT delivered over 5 weeks followed by intracavitary brachytherapy. Serial cytological smears were taken from cervical growth at weekly intervals during the course of EXRT and stained by Giemsa and May-Grunwald's stain. Micronuclei induction were scored as (a) number of cells expressing micronuclei (MN), and (b) total number of micronuclei (TMN) in 1000 tumor cells from each of the serial smears. RESULTS: A significant rise in micronuclei count was seen for both MN and TMN from pretreatment (week 0) to successive weeks of EXRT. For those having a near total tumor regression by end of EXRT, a significant rise in micronuclei was evident even at the end of first week of EXRT (MN: P = 0.05, TMN: P = 0.04). A superior LDFS was observed in patients showing greater than 50% increment in MN value in the first week (median survival for <50% vs. > or =50% rise: 5 months vs. not reached, P = 0.21), while it reached significance for a similar rise of TMN (median survival <50% vs. > or =50% rise: 5 months vs. not reached, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The significant rise of micronuclei at the end of first week of EXRT in cervical cancers as observed from serial cytological smears could predict for a better local response and LDFS.     

Prognostic value of persistent cancer cells in vaginal smears of patients with cervical carcinoma treated by radiotherapy

In an attempt to improve the therapeutic scheme in cervical carcinoma a clinical research program involving 100 patients with stages 1 and 2 of cervical carcinoma was started. All patients underwent radiation treatment only. In the series 32 patients were state 1 and 68 stage 2. About 1/2 had undifferentiated squamous epithelioma and the others moderately differentiated epthelioma. Radiotherapy consisted of intracavity radium of 5000 mg-hr. and an external telecobalt irradiation up to 4000 rad tumor dose through 4 portals. During and after radiotherapy patients were followed by clinical examiniations and vaginal smears. Months after beginning of treatment another cervical punch biopsy was done. The 3 year recovery rate was 97% of stage 1 but only 75% of stage 2 patients. Recovery seemed better in well differentiated epithelioma and in cases treated first with external radiation. There were 13 deaths from recurrent disease within 5 to 35 months after begining of treatment. Punch biopsies performed 4 months after beginning of treatment revealed carcinomatous tissue in the cervical area of only 2 of these 13 patients. In all 87 survivors, abnormal cells disappeared from vaginal smears by 7 weeks. In the 13 fatal cases, abnormal cells persisted for 7 weeks or beyond. In 5 of the 13 fatal cases, tumor cells in the vaginal smears persisted throughout the remainder of the patients' lives. Other follow-up methods seemed inefficient cases. Well defined vaginal cytology seemed of most prognostic value. The radioresistent group could be submitted to complementary surgical treatment to improve the prognosis.     

A study of the follow up patterns of women treated for CIN 2 and 3 before and after the introduction of the 1992 guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the five year cytology follow up data after discharge on women treated for histologically proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 and 3. To assess whether the introduction of the 1992 Guidelines for Clinical Practice and Programme Management affected follow up patterns. To identify who was lost to follow up and for what reasons. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of cervical cytological follow up data from 186 women treated for CIN 2 and 3. SETTING: Primary care services, West Midlands, United Kingdom. POPULATION: One hundred and eighty-six women with CIN 2 or 3 treated with large loop excision of the transformation zone at the City Hospital, Birmingham, in whom the first follow up smear at six months was normal. The women were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of women treated before the introduction of the Guidelines (1988-1990), and Group 2 consisted of women treated at the time of the introduction of the Guidelines in 1992. INTERVENTION: Introduction of the 1992 Guidelines for Clinical Practice and Programme Management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To determine the number of follow up smears each woman had over a five year period, to determine the number of women who had the recommended number of follow up smears, and to identify the number of women lost to follow up. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) number of smears in Group 1 was five (four to six) and in Group 2 was four (four to five). A similar proportion of women in both groups subsequently had abnormal smears (15% and 13.6%). Only one woman required further treatment. 22% of women in Group 1 and 10.2% of women in Group 2 had the correct number of smears to fulfil the 1992 Guidelines. There were 21 women (11.3%) who only had one smear following discharge from the clinic in the five year follow up period. CONCLUSIONS: The data from both cohorts shows follow up to be poor, and the introduction of the 1992 Guidelines has yet to result in an improvement in follow up patterns. The absence of a national cervical cytology database means that surveys of cytology follow up data will continue to be difficult due to the problems of data collection from numerous health authorities and the mobility of women in this age group.     

DNA analysis cervical and vaginal cancer cells during radiotherapy by rapid high-resolution cytometry

The DNA content of the nuclei of cancer cells of 12 cases of cervical cancer and 2 cases of vaginal cancer, treated with radiotherapy, were studied in 50 specimens. Specimens were taken from each case before radiotherapy and at the totals of 1,000 rad, 2,000 rad, 3,000 rad and 4,500 rad (or 5,000 rad). All specimens were stained by the Papanicolaou method and were analyzed by rapid high-resolution cytometry. Total optical density, mean nuclear area and the 5N-exceeding rate (5NER) increased gradually following irradiation. Cancer cells disappeared in good response cases before 3,000 rad. Eight smears with a 5NER under 100 at the dose of 3,000 rad or more seemed to be poor response cases. Low 5NER and low mean nuclear areas were observed in both patients who died with persistent disease after radiotherapy, as well as in one case treated with chemotherapy for persistent disease after radiotherapy.     

Pilot study of vaginal plethysmography in women treated with radiotherapy for gynecological cancer

OBJECTIVE: After pelvic radiotherapy for gynecological cancer, changes in the vaginal epithelium might influence sexual arousal and satisfaction, leading to dyspareunia and relational problems. The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of vaginal plethysmography in order to measure physical late effects of this therapy on sexual function. METHODS: Patients treated with radiotherapy for cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancer, who were in complete remission for over 1 year, underwent vaginal plethysmography to measure changes in vaginal vasocongestion, while watching erotic video fragments. Afterward two questionnaires, designed to measure feelings of sexual arousal during the video, and to identify sexual dysfunction, were completed. The results were compared with those of healthy women. RESULTS: Patients (n = 9) and volunteers (n = 8) did not differ in baseline amplitude of plethysmography and showed comparable changes in vaginal vasocongestion during the various video fragments. The decline in amplitude during the last video fragment in the patient group did not reach significance, but the group of patients is small and heterogeneous. Addressing subjective sexual arousal during the video, patients reported less feelings of lust and desire and fewer bodily sensations while watching than the controls. Patients worried more about the sexual satisfaction of their partners than controls. CONCLUSION: Vaginal plethysmography can be used to measure vaginal vasocongestion in patients treated with radiotherapy to the proximal vagina. In this pilot study the changes of vaginal vasocongestion during sexual arousal between patients and healthy volunteers were not different. This correlates with a comparable sexual satisfaction, although patients reported less feelings of lust.     

Accuracy of HPV testing of vaginal smear obtained with a novel self-sampling device

BACKGROUND: Most of women diagnosed as having cervical cancer have not participated in organized cytological screening. Aim. A study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of human papilloma virus testing by self-collected vaginal samples in comparison to regular cytological screening. The agreement of hybrid capture 2 assay and polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of human papilloma virus DNA in self-collected vaginal samples and clinician-obtained cervical smears was investigated. METHOD: Forty-three women aged 23-58 years admitted for further examination due to previous positive cytology in the organized screening participated in self-collecting of vaginal samples with a novel self-sampling device. During the visit a clinician also collected a cervical smear using a cytobrush. The vaginal samples collected with the self-sampling device were analyzed for high-risk human papilloma virus with the hybrid capture 2 assay technique and the cervical smears were Pap-stained, examined cytologically and after that reanalyzed for human papilloma virus DNA using a polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULT: The vaginal samples were positive for high-risk human papilloma virus in 37% of the cases using hybrid capture 2 assay. Twelve of the 43 Pap smears showed positive cytology (ASCUS-CIN 3), of which 4 showed CIN 2-3. When polymerase chain reaction assay was performed, human papilloma virus DNA was detected in 40% of the glass slides. The agreement between cytology and the two human papilloma virus testing techniques was 67-74% (kappa 0.27-0.45) and the agreement between the two human papilloma virus tests was 70% (kappa 0.36). CONCLUSION: Testing for high-risk human papilloma virus can identify more women at risk of developing cervical cancer than cytology irrespective of the sampling method. Furthermore, offering a self-sampling device for collection of vaginal smear seems to be a useful screening tool for cervical cancer among women not responding to an invitation for smear sampling.     

Prognostic factors in FIGO stage IB cervical cancer without lymph node metastasis and the role of adjuvant radiotherapy after radical hysterectomy

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathologic prognostic variables for disease free survival, overall survival and the role of adjuvant radiotherapy in FIGO stage IB cervical carcinoma without lymph node metastasis. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 393 patients with lymph node negative stage IB cervical cancer treated by type 3 hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy at the Hacettepe University Hospitals between 1980 and 1997. RESULTS: The disease free survival and overall survival were 87.6 and 91.0%, respectively. In univariate analysis, tumor size, depth of invasion, vaginal involvement, lympho-vascular space involvement (LVSI) and adjuvant radiotherapy were found significant in disease free survival. Overall survival was affected by tumor size, LVSI, vaginal involvement and adjuvant radiotherapy. Tumor size, LVSI and vaginal involvement were found as independent prognostic factors for overall and disease free survival in multivariate analysis. Disease free survival, recurrence rate and site did not differ between patients underwent radical surgery and radical surgery plus radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Tumor size, LVSI and vaginal involvement were independent prognostic factors in lymph node negative FIGO stage IB cervical cancer. Adjuvant radiotherapy in stage IB cervical cancer patients with negative nodes provides no survival advantage or better local tumoral control.     

Cisplatin, radiation, and amifostine in carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Gallardo D, Mohar A, Calderillo G, Mota A, Solorza G, Lozano A, Solano P, de la Garza J. Cisplatin, radiation, and amifostine in carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Int J Gynecol Cancer 1999; 9: 225–230.
A pilot, open, comparative study was performed on patients with locally advanced cervical cancer to investigate the efficacy and safety of amifostine. Twenty patients with a histologic diagnosis of squamous cervical cancer were treated with radiotherapy and randomized in two groups. Group A received cisplatin at 20 mg/m² for five days in two cycles during intracavitary radiotherapy and 100 mg/m²× 2 cycles during external radiotherapy, and amifostine 825 mg/m² 15 min before the cisplatin infusion. Patients in group B received cisplatin in the same doses without amifostine. All patients had complete responses during a median follow-up of 20 months. Grade three neutropenia was present in two patients in group A and in four of the control group, P = 0.31; grade 2 neurologic toxicity was seen in four patients in group B and in one of the patients in group A, P = 0.15. One patient needed temporary interruption of amifostine due to hypotension. Eight of 10 patients in group A developed hypocalcemia during the treatment with amifostine.
Our findings indicate that amifostine was well tolerated. In this series a mild neurologic and hematologic protection was found in patients that received amifostine, although this was not statistically significant. No differences in disease-free survival response and overall survival was seen between the two groups.     

Safety and tolerability of the new contraceptive sponge Protectaid.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy, safety and acceptability of two different-dose regimens of the Protectaid contraceptive sponge. METHODS: The toxic effects of two forms of the new vaginal contraceptive sponge, Protectaid, in the cervical and vaginal tissues were studied. Both types were impregnated with F-5 gel containing different doses of nonoxynol-9 (NX9; 0.5% and 0.125%). The sponge was used by 35 women aged 20-35 years (mean 28.7 years) randomly allocated into two groups (Group A: 0.5% NX9, n = 20; Group B: 0.125% NX9, n = 15). RESULTS: During a 12-month period both regimens demonstrated a 91.4% overall contraceptive efficacy. Colposcopic examinations showed no significant cervical or vaginal lesions in either group, except for two cases at the 2-week and 3-month examinations in Group A women. In the former, inflammatory changes of little clinical significance were seen and the colposcopic appearance of the vagina was non-specific. In this case, the focal lesions were accompanied by dilated capillaries (hyperemia). In the second case, degenerative inflammatory changes, with the inflammatory foci varying in shape and distribution, were observed. Cervical cultures taken 6 months after the start of treatment showed the presence of Mycoplasma hominis and Candida albicans in one and two cases, respectively, in Group A. In Group B, cervical cultures taken at 3 months showed Gardnerella vaginalis and beta-hemolytic streptococci group B in one and two cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: The potent spermicidal and protective properties of this new contraceptive sponge may be of benefit to the sexually active female. Since the sponge was very well accepted by both the study participants and their sexual partners, it can be considered as a valuable barrier method.     

Radiation injury to intestine following hysterectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy for cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors for nonrectal radiation-induced intestinal injury (NRRIII) following adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) for cervical cancer using a retrospective review of medical records. METHODS: From September 1992 to December 1998, 164 patients with uterine cervical cancer that had completed their allocated adjuvant radiotherapy at the Chinese Medical University Hospital were enrolled for NRRIII analysis. The patients were classified into two groups according to the extent of surgery. Group A consisted of 110 patients (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] stage: IB, n = 87; IIA, n = 21; IIB, n = 2) undergoing radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, while Group B was composed of 54 analogs receiving adjuvant radiotherapy following incident extrafascial hysterectomy. Treatment consisted of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and high-dose-rate intravaginal brachytherapy (HDRIVB). Initially, the whole pelvis was treated with 10 MV X-rays. After irradiation (44 Gy in 22 fractions over 4-5 weeks), the field was limited to the true pelvis and a further 10-20 Gy delivered in 5-10 fractions. For 21 patients in group A without pelvic lymph node metastasis or lymphovascular invasion, the radiation field was confined to the lower pelvis, with a prescribed dose of 50-58 Gy delivered over 5-6 weeks. HDRIVB was performed using an Ir-192 remote after-loading technique at 1-week intervals. A total of 159 patients (97%) received two insertions, while 5 had only one. The standard prescribed HDRIVB dose was 7.5 Gy to the vaginal surface. Logistic regression analysis was performed for assessment of the factors associated with NRRIII. RESULTS: After 38-119 months of follow-up (median, 60), 22 patients (13.4%) developed Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grade 2 or greater NRRIII at a median latency of 18 months (range, 5-48). Four patients were diagnosed as grade 3 complications requiring surgery and three had expired. The independent factors for NRRIII were radical hysterectomy (P = 0.04, relative risk 2.45), lower-pelvic dose >54 Gy (P = 0.0001, relative risk 10.27), and age over 60 years (P = 0.001, relative risk 5.45). The incidence of NRRIII for patients receiving whole and lower-pelvic irradiation was 14.5% and 10.6%, respectively (P = 0.45). Although there was no statistical significance comparing the two external beam irradiation strategies in terms of NRRIII, all four patients with grade 3 NRRIII underwent whole pelvic irradiation. CONCLUSION: This study identifies three predictive factors for the development of NRRIII following adjuvant radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Limiting the EBRT dose to less than 54 Gy, meticulous patient selection in the elderly, careful planning of the irradiated field, and the constraint of vaginal brachytherapy are four approaches to optimization of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy.     

A prospective follow up study of women with colposcopically unconfirmed positive cervical smears.

OBJECTIVE: To examine a cohort of women with positive cervical smears, but negative colposcopy, in order to ascertain whether there is a subsequent difference in the incidence of squamous dyskaryosis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia when compared with a control group. DESIGN: Prospective follow up study. SETTING: Colposcopy clinics, antenatal clinics, GP surgeries. METHODS: A study group of 255 women with reported abnormal cervical smears but negative colposcopy was subdivided into three groups according to referral smears suggesting high grade dyskaryosis (n = 34), mild dyskaryosis (n = 120) and borderline changes (n = 101). They were followed for at least five years and were compared with a control group of 726 women followed up after a negative smear, using the first and worst follow up smears over a five year recall period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of subsequent cervical cytological and histological abnormalities. RESULTS: The control group had a similar incidence of squamous dyskaryosis as that expected in the screening population. Forty-six per cent of the study group with colposcopically unconfirmed ('false positive') cervical smears subsequently had abnormal smears. When the three groups were compared with controls using a chi2 test, their incidence of abnormal smears was significantly increased. Cervical intrepithelial neoplasia was found in 19% of the study group, and in 3% of the control group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis demonstrates that women with so-called 'false positive' smears defined by negative colposcopy have an increased risk of subsequent abnormal smears and cervical intrepithelial neoplasia, suggesting that lesions may have been missed on colposcopy. However, in a significant proportion of women, further abnormalities were not detected during the follow up period, indicating that there may be other causes for positive smears and negative colposcopy.     

Conization as only treatment of carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix.

Knife conization was performed in 2,099 cases with abnormal vaginal smears. The frequency of complications was low. Carcinoma in situ was diagnosed in 1,500 cases and follow-up showed that conization was curative in 87%. The curative rate was depending on whether the resection margins were free of pathologic epithelium or not. If smears were repeatedly negative the first year after conization a new diagnosis of cancer was made in 0.4%. It was not possible to decide whether these lesions were residual changes or true recurrences. Treatment of carcinoma in situ by conization has so far reduced the frequency of invasive cervical cancer by 60%.     

阴道上皮内瘤变20例临床分析

目的 探讨阴道上皮内瘤变(VAIN)的临床特征、治疗方法及预后.方法 收集中国医学科学院肿瘤医院1999年1月-2007年12月收治的20例VAIN患者的临床资料,对其进行回顾性分析.结果 20例患者均无明显临床症状和体征,多数患者(17例,85%)因阴道液基细胞学检查异常或诊断为宫颈癌后而行进一步检查(妇科检查、阴道镜检查及阴道镜下活检组织病理检查)时发现,少数患者(3例,15%)为宫颈癌术后随访时发现.85%(17例)的患者合并宫颈癌(12例)或宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN,5例).90%的患者为VAIN Ⅲ.主要发生于阴道上段(17例,85%),且多呈多灶性分布(13例,65%).VAIN的治疗主要采用手术治疗(13例)和放疗(7例),治疗后的局部控制率达100%.3例(15%)复发患者均为VAIN Ⅲ,其中1例为放疗后复发,2例为手术后复发,分别经手术或放疗后病变仍可得到有效控制.结论 单纯性VAIN诊断阑难.常合并宫颈癌或CIN,病变多位于阴道上段且呈多灶性分布,手术和放疗均可有效控制VAIN,但治疗后应密切随访,以及早发现、诊断和治疗复发病变.     

Participation in highly subsidized cervical cancer screening by women in Enugu, South-east Nigeria.

The current study was designed to evaluate the level of participation in a highly subsidized cervical screening in a resource-poor country. A total of 989 cervical smears performed on 932 women in Enugu, South-east Nigeria, over a 10-year period (January 1995-December 2004) was reviewed. The level of participation in cervical screening was very low, as <1% of the targeted women population participated. Almost 68% of the participants were referred for the screening and the majority (52.3%) were from lower social classes because the programme was highly subsidized. A total of 646 (65.3%) smears were normal. Of the abnormal smears, 193 (19.5%) had non-specific inflammatory changes, 136 (13.8%) showed dyskaryotic cells while 14 (1.4%) had neoplastic changes. A total of 57 (6.1%) women had more than one cervical cancer screening and they were characterised by increasing age, up to 59 years, higher social classes and contraceptive users in lower social classes. To reverse the low level of participation in cervical cancer screening in developing countries, there is a need to provide highly subsidized (if not free) cervical cancer screening services, which must be followed by sustained cervical cancer awareness campaign.     

Sexual health in women treated for cervical cancer: characteristics and correlates

OBJECTIVE: A large proportion of women with a history of cervical cancer experience sexual problems as a result of treatment. The present study examined whether differences in sexual health between cervical cancer survivors and women with no history of cervical cancer could be explained by selected demographic, clinical, and psychosocial and physical factors. METHODS: Women treated between 1 and 5 years previously for stage 0 to II cervical cancer and age- and education-matched women with no history of cancer undergoing routine cervical cancer screening were recruited to participate. All participants had a partner with whom they had ever been sexually active. Women completed measures of sexual health, vaginal changes, partner relationship quality, perceived physical appearance, and sexual self-concept. RESULTS: Cervical cancer survivors reported significantly (p<.05) less sexual interest, more sexual dysfunction, and lower sexual satisfaction. The most consistent predictors of sexual health after treatment among survivors were time since diagnosis, receipt of radiotherapy, partner relations, and perceived physical appearance, as well as vaginal changes. These variables accounted for about 50% of the variance in sexual health outcomes. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that efforts to improve sexual health in women with a history of cervical cancer must move beyond the direct effects of cancer treatment on vaginal anatomy and physiology. Sexual rehabilitation interventions should consider partner relationships, perceived physical appearance, and women's attitudes toward themselves as sexual beings, in addition to vaginal changes. Future research should use prospective longitudinal research designs incorporating appropriate comparison groups to further explore this issue.     

同步放化疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌50例临床疗效观察

目的:探讨同步放化疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌的疗效及毒副反应。方法:选择宫颈癌患者100例,随机分为2组,单纯放疗组50例,同步放化疗组50例。两组放疗方法相同,同步放化疗组于放疗前、中及放疗结束后给予CTB(卡铂加吡柔比星加博来霉素)腹壁下动脉灌注化疗,每周期间隔28天,共化疗3周期。比较两组病例近期、远期疗效及毒副反应。结果:同步放化疗组与单纯放疗组近期有效率分别为96%、72%,(P<0.05),同步放化疗组与单纯放疗组的5年生存率分别为64%、44%,(P<0.05),同步放化疗组骨髓抑制及消化道反应发生率均高于单纯放疗组(P<0.05),及时对症治疗后,患者均可耐受治疗。结论:同步放化疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌可提高近期疗效及5年生存率。以铂类为基础的化疗疗效肯定,患者能耐受,与放疗联合应用安全、合理。