ADVERSE EFFECT OF ELECTROSURGICAL LOOP EXCISION ON ASSIGNMENT OF FIGOSTAGE IN CERVICAL-CANCER - REPORT OF 2 CASES

Electrosurgical loop conization of the cervix is a new procedure that is being rapidly accepted for treatment of cervical intraepithelial ne oplasia (CIN). Concerns include fragmentation of the specimen that is frequently mandated by the size of the transformation zone and difficu lty in using the largest electrosurgical loops, Two cases are presente d that demonstrate the inability to accurately assign depth of invasio n in cervical cancer when the focus of invasion is transected. As a re sult, the patient and physician were forced to decide on whether a rad ical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy were needed based on inco mplete information. It is recommended that electrosurgical loop coniza tion be confined to patients where invasive carcinoma is not expected. The use of this new technique for patients with suspected invasive ca rcinoma needs further evaluation. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.