Early cervical carcinoma

Abstract

A three-dimensional pathologic assessment showed that subclinical parametrial spreading of the so-called "early" tumors (Stage IB-IIA) occurred in approximately 30-60% of these patients, and metastasis to the pelvic lymph nodes always was associated with parametrial disease. A better understanding of the patterns of parametrial diffusion will improve knowledge of the natural history of cervical carcinoma and in the future may influence the treatment of these patients. Furthermore, pathologic assessment of cervical carcinoma should be modified to evaluate correctly the parametrial status of each patient. The current routine pathologic evaluation of the parametria makes it very difficult to detect lymph node metastases and tumor emboli.