Prognostic value of the colposcopic tumor size in stage IB squamous cervical cancer.

Background and Objectives: To determine the prognostic significance of the colposcopic tumor size in the management of cervical cancer. Methods: Clinicopathological analysis was performed in 751 consecutive patients with stage IB squamous cervical cancer who were surgically treated in a single institute. The colposcopic tumor size was measured postoperatively on surgical specimens. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the prognostic significance of various pathological factors. Results: Among the pathological factors examined, lymph node metastasis, parametrial extension, deep stromal invasion, vessel permeation, endometrial extension, and colposcopic tumor size were found to be prognostic factors in univariate analysis, whereas multivariate analysis has confirmed that only three factors, i.e., lymph node metastasis, parametrial involvement, and colposcopic tumor size were independently associated with the disease-free interval. Conclusions: These results indicate that the colposcopic tumor size is an independent prognostic factor in squamous cervical cancer and can be used as an indicator of treatment options. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.