[The influence of general operation risks on the indications for operations for gynaecological cancers (author's...

The increase of high general operative risks in women presenting for gynaecological operations suggested the investigation of the influence of these risks on the choice of treatment of gynaecologic cancers appropriate for the stage. The primary treatment of 426 gynaecologic and breast cancers of the year 1977 is reviewed. There were 53 endometrial carcinomas, 29 ovarian carcinomas, 185 breast cancers, 142 carcinomas of the cervix and pre-invasive carcinoma of the cervix. There were 17 other carcinomas. 354 patients were selected for operative treatment. 72 patients were selected for primary radiotherapy. A considerable number of patients (40-60%) were selected for treatment appropriate for the stage of the cancer by a system of diagnosis of risks, classifications of risks, evaluation of risks and pre-operative treatment of operative risks. The choice of the cancer treatment appropriate to the stage is not influenced by single risks but by the sum of the general operative risks. Typical mistakes in evaluation of operative risks versus indications for the operations are described in case reports. The reports include avoidable and unavoided risks.