ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate correlation the of histological variables and the clinical features of microinvasive cervical cancer with the depth of invasion and to establish the adequate therapeutic modality. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with microinvasive cervical cancer diagnosed by FIGO (1994) staging were reviewed, who were treated by conization, type I hysterectomy, type II hysterectomy and type III hysterectomy, in Gil Medical center from January 1997 to December 2001. We divided the depth of invasion to three groups of less than 1 mm, 1-3 mm and 3-5 mm. RESULTS: The age of the 137 women ranged from 24 to 71 years (mean age 47.4 years). The number of patients with FIGO stage IA1 and IA2 were 112 and 24, respectively. Of surgically treated 135 patients, lymph node involvement was present in 1 patient with a depth of invasion of less than 1 mm, 2 patients with 1-3 mm and 1 patient with 3-5 mm. Lymph-vascular space involvement was present in 3 patients with 1-3 mm, 4 patients with 3-5 mm. Transient bladder dysfunction was the most common complication after surgical procedures, occupying 5.6%. Other surgical complications included lymphedema (3.6%), wound complication (3.6%), ureter injury (1.1%), lymphocele (1.1%), anal incontinence (1.1%) and dyspareunia (1.1%). CONCLUSION: A management should be individualized. Patients with a depth of invasion of less than 1mm and clear resection margin may be managed by conization. Further follow-up study for a necessity of lymphadenectomy for the group with the depth of invasion of 1-3 mm irrespective of lymph-vascular space involvement is demanded.