The incomplete cone in carcinoma in situ of the cervix : a prospective study in a developing country
Date
1979-12
Authors
Du Toit, J. P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
HMPG
Abstract
The diagnostic procedures and treatment of carcinoma in situ and severe dysplasia of the cervix are becoming more conservative. In a developing country special problems make such an approach more hazardous. During a 15-months period the diagnosis in 25 of 206 patients (12,1%) with a smear positive for carcinoma in situ could not be confirmed histologically at Tygerberg Hospital. A prospective study of 147 cases (71,4%) in which the diagnosis was confirmed revealed that they were mostly young patients of relatively high gravidity. The difficulty of assessing the completeness of a cervical cone and of evaluating a postconization smear is confirmed. The danger of a too conservative approach in our patients is confirmed by the fact that only 8,2% of patients came for regular follow-up examinations and that 34,7% did not return for follow-up smears. The high incidence of total hysterectomy (51,7%) as the definitive form of treatment is defended, and a more conservative future approach of confirming the diagnosis and reducing the incidence of cervical conization is suggested.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Uterus -- Cancer
Citation
Du Toit, J. P. 1979. The incomplete cone in carcinoma in situ of the cervix : a prospective study in a developing country. South African Medical Journal, 15 December: 1102-1106.