LASER CONIZATION FOR MICROINVASIVE CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX - SHORT-TERM RESULTS

Thirty-one patients with microinvasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix (less than 3.0 mm invasion, no lymph vascular involvement), were trea ted with combination laser conization. The mean follow-up period was 3 6 months. No cases of invasive disease have been diagnosed during foll ow-up. Examination during follow-up revealed atypical columnar epithel ium in one case, but the hysterectomy specimen was normal. Based on th ese short-term results, combination laser conization for microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix seemed a sufficient therapy. A precise and ca reful histopathologic evaluation, and the patient acceptance of a stri ct follow-up schedule are mandatory to a decision to employ conservati ve management of microinvasive cervical carcinoma. Only long-term foll ow-up in patients treated by conservative therapy will be able to fina lly justify this approach.