Prognostic factors of the uterine cervix adenocarcinoma

Background: Prognosis factors for adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix after primary treatment are poorly established. Methods: A retrospective study of 45 cases of adenocarcinoma of the cervix with a follow-up of 96 months on average was performed. The primary treatment consisted in combined radical surgery and radiotherapy for stage I-II patients while patients with advanced disease were treated by radiotherapy. In case of poor prognosis factors, they were given chemotherapy. Survival rates were established and prognosis factors influencing survival and recurrences were studied. Results: Fifteen women remained alive without evolutive disease. FIGO stage and pelvic node involvement were the most important parameters influencing overall survival. Local failures (27%, average period of 30 months) were unpredictable and led to a dramatic outcome. Histological grade and pelvic node status were significant predictive factors for metastatic recurrence (40%, average period of 29 months). Conclusions: Local recurrence and metastatic dissemination of cervical adenocarcinoma after primary treatment prove to be rapidly fatal although life expectancy can be prolonged with adjuvant treatment of the recurrence. In the event of aggressive tumors with high histological grade and pelvic node involvement, an attempt to assess adjuvant systemic chemotherapy could be useful. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.