Small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: A clinicopathological review

Small cell carcinoma of the cervix is rare, with an aggressive natural hist ory. We report on a series of 11 patients treated at the Christie Hospital, Manchester and examine their treatment and survival. Eleven patients with small cell carcinoma of the cervix were identified retrospectively from pat ient case notes. Treatment was individualised and included a variety of com binations of surgery radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Four patients were dise ase-free between 21 and 108 months (crude disease-free survival 36%). They presented with earlier disease and were older than the average for the grou p. They were all initially treated with radical radiotherapy. 7 patients di ed between 7 and 25 months. Despite combination chemotherapy, survival with advanced disease was poor. Published studies are small and fail to provide definitive answers on the best management of small cell carcinoma of the c ervix. Drawing on the experience of small cell carcinoma of the lung howeve r, combination therapy with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and possibly surgery requires careful assessment by an oncologist.