Management of microinvasive cervical cancer

Kim, Young Tae

Abstract

The medical term microcarcinoma of the uterine cervix was first introduced by Mestwerdt in 1947. He proposed that 5 mm was the deepest penetration acceptable. Since then, both terminology and management has been the subject of debate. A more accurate definition of microinvasive carcinoma was adopted by FIGO in 1995. Stage IA1 was defined as a tumor that invaded to a depth of 3 mm or less, whereas stage IA2 referred to a tumor that invaded to a depth greater than 3 mm and up to 5 mm. In both stages, the horizontal spread should not exceed 7 mm. Many patients with early cervical cancer are young, and preservation of fertility is a major concern. Treatment of microinvasive cervical cancer involves appropriate management for both the primary lesion and potential sites of metastatic disease. Both surgery and radiation therapy may be used for primary treatment, although definitive surgery is usually applied to patients with stage IA disease.