[Histology and tumor biology of microinvasive cervix carcinoma]

Microinvasive squamous cell carcinomas account for up to 21% of cervical carcinomas. In this early tumor stage characterized by a maximum depth of 5 mm and a horizontal growth up to 7 mm even an increase in tumor size of only a few millimeters leads to a worse prognosis. Therefore a morphology-based therapy is needed that requires additional prognostically relevant markers. Depth of invasion and capillary-lymphatic space invasion are the most important prognostic parameters. Detection of invasion-associated proteases might be helpful in searching for additional diagnostic and prognostic markers which are necessary for an optimal staging-related therapy. In future studies specific concerns must be addressed to microinvasive adenocarcinomas to ensure a correct staging and an optimal therapy.