[Cytologic anamnesis of patients with invasive cervix cancer]

25 patients with invasive cervical carcinoma were asked about their historical data by means of a questionnaire. 7 women (28%) had undergone routine gynaecological examination with PAP smear at least two years before the diagnosis of invasive carcinoma. At the time of clinical admission, symptoms such as postcoital bleeding or metrorrhagia were found in these women as often as in those who had never undergone gynaecological investigation. But in the latter group of patients, stages II and III of the tumour were seen in a twofold higher rate of incidence. After reviewing the PAP smears it is considered that a faulty smear technique was the main reason for failure of prophylaxis. Screening errors committed by the cytologist were less frequent.