COMBINATION LASER CONIZATION AS TREATMENT OF MICROINVASIVE CARCINOMA OF THE UTERINE CERVIX

During the period June 1985 to August 1992 combination laser conizatio n was considered definite therapy in 41 patients with microinvasive ca rcinoma of the cervix. Selection criteria for conservative, fertility- saving therapy were: invasion 3 mm or less, no lymphovascular involvem ent and horizontal spread of 7 mm or less. After treatment patients we re followed for 5 to 12 years, mean follow-up 81 months, and mean numb er of examination was 10. In one cases, adenocarcinoma in situ was dia gnosed during follow-up. In all other cases persistent or recurrent di sease was not diagnosed during follow-up. By thorough histopathologic evaluation and strict criteria for selection of patients, it was possi ble to perform conservative treatment with no observed risk of undertr eatment. Combination laser conization was a useful treatment modality. A follow-up regimen based on colposcopy and cytology proved sufficien t.