Recurrent stage IB cervical carcinoma: evaluation of the effectiveness of routine follow up surveillance.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effectiveness of follow up surveillance in detecting recurrent disease following radical hysterectomy for Stage IB cervical carcinoma.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of clinical records using a computerised database.


METHODS
Six hundred and seventy-four patients with Stage IB carcinoma of the cervix underwent radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection.


METHODS
Standard follow up surveillance consisted of clinical history and physical examination six weeks post surgery, and subsequently three monthly for the first year, six monthly for the second year, and yearly thereafter until 10 years post-treatment.


RESULTS
Of the 674 patients, 112 (17%) developed recurrent disease. In only 29/112 (26%) was recurrent disease detected at the time of routine follow up visits. Nearly half of the patients (44%) were referred by their general practitioner between visits to the clinic because of suspicion of recurrent disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine follow up surveillance is ineffective in detecting recurrent cervical carcinoma. Only one in four recurrences were detected at the time of a clinical visit.
Ansink
A
A
Regional Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK.
de Barros Lopes
A
A
Naik
R
R
Monaghan
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*