Current management of non-squamous carcinoma of the cervix

The incidence of non-squamous carcinoma of the cervix, relative to squamous cell carcinoma, seems to have been increasing over the past 15 years, and adenocarcinomas currently constitute 10 to 18% of cervical cancers. Uncertainties regarding the clinical behavior and management of women with non-squamous cervical cancer persist. Certain cell types and grade of adenocarcinomas play a role in prognosis and treatment selections. Treatment via irradiation or radical surgery for Stage I, small, garden variety cervical adenocarcinomas will result in excellent survival. Conversely, survival may be poor in early stage non-squamous lesions if they are of high grade or of certain cell types, such as adenosquamous carcinoma. Patients with advanced cancers of other organ systems can now achieve an increase in progression-free interval with neoadjuvant chemotherapy or concomitant irradiation/chemotherapy. Such treatments might also benefit patients with non-squamous cervical cancers.