Biology of cervical carcinoma

Cervical cancer is generally a locoregional disease. The endopelvic fascia envelops the cervix in anterior-posterior fashion and serves as a natural b arrier. Thus, cervical cancer preferentially grows to the parametria and in volves the ureters before it infiltrates the bladder or rectum. Disease sta ge, grade, cell type, tumor volume, depth of stromal invasion, vascular spa ce invasion, and lymph node status are common prognostic indicators. Irregu lar vaginal bleeding and discharge are the two most frequent complaints. Al though cervical cancer is still staged clinically, data continue to accumul ate favoring a conversion to surgical staging to improve accuracy and treat ment outcome. Semin. Surg. Oncol; 16:212-216, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, In c.