PERSISTENT TUMOR CELLS IN THE VAGINAL SMEAR DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER RADIATION THERAPY OF CARCINOMA OF THE UTERINE CERVIX

Abstract

1. A study of the prognostic significance of persistent tumor cells in the vaginal smear during the first postirradiation year in 342 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix is presented. 2. The number of negative and positive smears at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months post irradiation is analyzed and a correlation is made with the tumor-free survival at 3, 4, and 5 years. 3. Persistent tumor cells in the vaginal smear have no prognostic significance when present before the 4th month post irradiation. 4. The absence of tumor cells in the smear taken 4 months or later after therapy is associated with a relatively good prognosis, particularly in Stage I and II. 5. The presence of tumor cells 4 months or later after therapy is associated with a poor prognosis. 6. An occasional patient may have tumor cells present in the vaginal smear as long as 12 months after treatment and never show further evidence of disease.