Special problems in cervical cancer management

Cervical cancer is easily recognized when it presents as a visible lesion, but a problem arises when it adopts unusual presentations. Cervical cancer can develop high in the endocervical canal, beyond the reach of cone biopsy. Copious vaginal discharge from cervical adenocarcinoma may lead to a false-negative Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. Treatment of cervicitis can result in a delay in diagnosis. Successful and timely diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer requires experience and vigilance. Careful intraoperative palpation of the cervix and uterus can help determine the location and extent of the lesion. Flexibility during surgery is required to utilize intraoperative findings and thus optimize treatment. Pitfalls of cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment with actual case presentations are presented along with other special problems in cervical cancer management such as incidental findings of cervical cancer in hysterectomy specimens, treatment of cervical stump cancers, and unusual cervical cancer cell types. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 16:261-266, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.