[Carcinoma metastatic to the cervix: a study of 19 cases]

To report the clinical features and to evaluate the treatment results of 19 cases of cervical metastatic carcinoma.

We analyzed retrospectively the 19 patients with carcinoma metastatic to the cervix treated during the period of 1959 to 1994 at Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

The average age of patients was 43.7. The main symptom was irregular vaginal discharge and (or) bleeding. In most patients, the primary cancers originated from digestive tract or ovary. The treatment methods included radiotherapy alone, radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy after operation, and surgery plus radiotherapy. The 1-, 2- and 5-years survival rates (life-time table were 68.5%, 47.3% and 26.2% respectively, and the longest period for survived patient with dysgerminoma has lived was more than 22 years.

The active proper treatment of primary cancer can prolong the survival time of patients with carcinoma metastatic to the cervix. The patients whose metastatic lesions are limited to the cervix and sensitive to the radiation may be cured by radiotherapy and combination therapy.