The significance of microscopic involvement of the parametrium and/or pelvic lymph nodes in cervical cancer stages IB and IIA.

From 1961 through 1980, 388 patients with cervical carcinoma stage IB (272) and stage IIA (116) were treated by radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The operation specimens were divided into four groups: no involvement of the parametrium and pelvic lymph nodes (71.4%), involvement of the parametrium alone (7.2%), involvement of the pelvic lymph nodes alone (11.9%), and involvement of both the parametrium and pelvic lymph nodes (9.5%). Two hundred thirty-eight patients were followed for at least 5 years. The corrected 5-year survival figures for these four groups (stages IB and IIA together) were 90.3, 75.0, 62.1, and 50.0%, respectively. The differences are of statistical significance (P less than 0.005). Not only the stage of disease and involvement of the lymph nodes, but clearly also the involvement of the parametrium is of significance for the results of treatment in cervical cancer.