[Carcinoma of the cervical stump. Retrospective analysis of 43 cases]

Seven to eight percent of cervix carcinomas are carcinomas of the cervical stump. The prognosis for these tumors has sometimes been considered more unfavourable than that for carcinomas on intact uterus. From 1976 to 1986 we treated 43 patients with carcinoma of the cervical stump. The mean age was 63.6 years. Staging system used was FIGO classification modified according to the criteria of Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif. There were 12 stage IB, 12 early stage II, 5 late stage II and 14 stage III. Twenty-four centropelvic tumors (IB and early stage II) were treated with radiotherapy and surgery, 2 with surgery alone and one with radiotherapy alone. Late stage II and stage III tumors were treated with radiotherapy alone (+ hysterectomy for two patients). Local control rate was 83% for centropelvic tumors and 53% for late stage II and stage III. Seven patients developed distant metastases. Uncorrected 5-year actuarial survival rate was 78% for centro-pelvic tumors and 46% for late stage II and stage III. Three patients developed severe complications (grade 3). Prognostic factors were: stage, nodal status and pathological status of the cervix after radiotherapy. For the same stage the results were similar to those observed for carcinomas on intact uterus treated at our institution during the same time period.