CIN and preclinical cervical carcinoma. A study of morbidity trends over a 10-year period

Between 1971 and 1980 1312 cone biopsies were performed at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kiel. Comparing the two intervals from 1971 to 1975 and 1976 to 1980 the number of cases with dysplasia and Carcinoma in situ significantly rose in the last 5 years in patients 16-30 years of age. Amongst other reasons for this increase, on the basis of our investigation, the regular gynecological examination in combination with the prescription of the ovulation inhibitors seems to be responsible. The average age of patients (36-44 years) undergoing cone biopsy for the first time decreased in the period between 1971 and 1980 (approx. 8 years). The excision of carcinoma in situ in women under 30 years of age mostly showed margins free of pathological epithelium. With increasing age the cases of not free margins increased to 70%. For the hemostasis of the conization crater up to 1977, the conventional suture technique was applied, since 1977 cone coagulation probe according to Semm was used. In this group (1977-1980) treated with coagulation after cone biopsy, 45% of the cases with carcinoma in situ not free margins had histologically normal epithelium of the extirpated uterus. In patients with the desire for a child or in pregnant women a secondary coagulation of the wound crater is achieved to preserve the uterus.