STAGE IA SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF UTERINE CERVIX

The microscopic pathology and clinical courses of 44 patients treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for equivocal or early invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix were reviewed according to the classification of Frick and his associates. The incidence of major therapy complications was 14 per cent and all patients survived 5 or more years after therapy. Review of the literature on Stage IA lesions showed a 1.9 per cent incidence of lymph node metastases (103 patients), a 0.4 per cent recurrence rate in 243 patients treated conservatively, and a 1.0 per cent incidence of recurrence or evidence of primary spread beyond the cervix in 621 patients receiving all forms of therapy. From reported results, it would appear that equivocally invasive lesions and those lesions invasive up to 3 mm. without involvement of cervical lymphatics can be managed safely with conservative therapy. © 1969.