Computed tomography in staging primary uterine cervical carcinoma

Pelvic computed tomography (CT) was done in 100 unselected patients with untreated carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The size of the primary tumor, its extension into vagina, parametria, utero-sacral ligaments, pelvic sidewalls, bladder and rectum and pelvic lymphadenopathy were determined. Independently, similar findings from pelvic examination under general anesthesia (EUA) and cystoscopy were also recorded. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging was used for comparison. The staging according to CT in 69 patients (69%) agreed with that at EUA and cystoscopy. In 31 patients there was both understanding (15%) and overstaging (16%) by CT.