Microscopic paracervical extension of the tumor in stage IB-IIA squamous cervical cancer

The patterns of parametrial spread and the impact on survival of cervical s quamous carcinoma have been evaluated in surgical specimens from 125 consec utive women with squamous cervical carcinoma FIGO stage in and stage IIA tr eated by radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy and followed for at least 5 years. The microscopic involvement of the parametria was found i n 15% in stage in and 39% in stage 11A. Anterior and posterior spread were never observed alone, but in association with the lateral extension of the tumor. Lymph nodes were involved in 50% of the cases with tumor extension b eyond the cervix, and only 15% of the patients without parametria involveme nt (p< 0,001). Paracervical cancer extension was related to the depth of st romal invasion, LVS involvement and lymph node metastases (p<0,001). Five y ear survival figure was 90% in patients with parametria and nodes metastase s, while it dropped to 50% and 46% in women with paracervical involvement a nd negative or positive nodes, respectively.