Adenosquamous cell carcinoma of the cervix--a clinical analysis of 23 cases

From January 1976 through December 1985, 895 patients with cervical carcinoma were treated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The surgical specimens of 23 cases were proved to be adenosquamous cell carcinoma, the incidence being 2.6%. Among them, 15 were at stage IB, 7 were at stage IIA and one was at stage IIB. The overall 5-year survival rate was 55.0% and there was no difference between patients at stage IB and IIA. During the same period the 5-year survival rate of squamous cell carcinoma was 87.5% for patients at stage IB and 75.0% for patients at stage IIA. Pelvic lymph node metastasis and parametrial involvement are considered to be poor prognostic factors. When metastasis or invasion happens, the metastatic or invasive lesions can be found in the form of pure squamous carcinoma or adenocarcinoma. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy (external irradiation plus brachytherapy) seems to be effective in preventing recurrence. Chemotherapy (PVB regimen) needs more clinical evaluation. In this study, when metastasis or recurrence developed, the response to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy were poor and 75% of patients died within one year.