INTRODUCTION: No recent Danish data exist on survival rate by stage for cervical cancer. Further centralization of cancer treatment is presently being discussed, and this report aims to discuss and broaden the view on the issues of survival, centralization and quality of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period 1982-2002, 123 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and operated on by two gynaecologists in a central hospital in Denmark, using a modification of Okabayashi's operation. Stage 1b cancer was found in 111 women. The hospital charts were reviewed retrospectively, and data on survival rates were drawn from hospital records and registers. RESULTS: The occurrence of lymph gland metastasis was associated with the stage of the cancer. Relapse of tumor occurred in 29 women, with 21 women subsequently succumbing to the disease. No difference was found in survival rate in stage 1 according to treatment of relapse. The five- and ten-year survival rates in stage 1b were 87% and 82%, respectively. DISCUSSION: Similarly to what has been shown by other studies, the mortality rate was not affected by the decentralized setting and care. The small number of surgeons involved ensured homogeneity of and consistency in operative treatment despite the changes in perioperative care over the 20-year period.
INTRODUCTION: No recent Danish data exist on survival rate by stage for cervical cancer. Further centralization of cancer treatment is presently being discussed, and this report aims to discuss and broaden the view on the issues of survival, centralization and quality of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period 1982-2002, 123 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and operated on by two gynaecologists in a central hospital in Denmark, using a modification of Okabayashi's operation. Stage 1b cancer was found in 111 women. The hospital charts were reviewed retrospectively, and data on survival rates were drawn from hospital records and registers. RESULTS: The occurrence of lymph gland metastasis was associated with the stage of the cancer. Relapse of tumor occurred in 29 women, with 21 women subsequently succumbing to the disease. No difference was found in survival rate in stage 1 according to treatment of relapse. The five- and ten-year survival rates in stage 1b were 87% and 82%, respectively. DISCUSSION: Similarly to what has been shown by other studies, the mortality rate was not affected by the decentralized setting and care. The small number of surgeons involved ensured homogeneity of and consistency in operative treatment despite the changes in perioperative care over the 20-year period.