ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the correlation of pretreatment serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen(SCCAg)with the clinico-pathological features of squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix and its significance as a prognostic factor.Methods One hundred and fourteen patients of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix(Ⅰbl-Ⅱa),who underwent pretreatment serum SCCAg evaluation and long-term follow-up after treatment were selected for this study.Clinical data were used to investigate the correlation between SCCAg and clinico-pathological features and factors that influence prognosis through univariate and multivariate analysis.Results Univariate analysis showed elevation of SCCAg(using≤1.5 mg/L as the cut-off value)was correlated with tumor size,deep stromal invasion and pelvic node metastasis (P0.05).However,between no pelvic node metastasis+elevated SCCAg cases and no pelvic node metastasis+normal SCCAg cases,there was a significant difference in DFS (71.8% vs 98.0%,P=0.003),recurrence rate(33.3% vs 9.8%,P=0.006)and local recurrence (26.5% vs 2.1%,P=0.001).Conelusions The independent prognostic factors for Ⅰ bl-Ⅱa squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix include elevated pretreatment SCCAg and pelvic node metastasis. Patients with elevated pretreatment serum SCCAg and no metastasis to pelvic lymph node(s)are at significantly elevated risk of local recurrence,and therefore need individualized treatment to improve local control and long-term survival.