Early stage cervical cancer: aborted versus completed radical hysterectomy

In a retrospective study, the treatment results of patients with stage IB and IIA cervical cancer were evaluated. In 26 patients radical hysterectomy was discontinued after intra-operative finding of positive lymph nodes. These patients received radiotherapy. In 57 patients lymph nodes were negative, and radical hysterectomy was completed. Of these, 13 patients received adjuvant radiotherapy because of positive surgical margins or parametrial involvement, and 44 patients received no adjuvant therapy. Five-year survival was 61% in patients with positive pelvic lymph nodes and 88% in patients with negative pelvic lymph nodes, comparable with the results mentioned in the literature. The complication rate did not differ from similar other reports. This management shows treatment results comparable with other reports with minimal morbidity.