A retrospective study was carried out to determine the incidence and n
ature of second primary malignancies in patients treated for cervical
cancer in the West of Scotland. A total of 3911 patients treated for a
primary cancer of cervix, diagnosed between 1975 and 1992, were ident
ified from the West of Scotland Cancer Registry. The ratio of observed
second primary cancers in the study cohort to the number expected to
occur if incidence was the same as in the West of Scotland population
as a whole was calculated. Of the 3911 women treated, 129 (3.3%) were
diagnosed with a second primary malignancy. Tissues within the pelvic
radiation field showed no significant excess of second primary tumours
. A significant excess (O/E 2.52 [95% c.i. 1.89-3.30]) of second prima
ry malignancy in the lung and pleura was identified er,en after correc
tion for socio-economic deprivation. Women treated for cervical cancer
in the West of Scotland appear to be at more risk of a subsequent can
cer due to causes other than the [ate effects of radiotherapy.