CARCINOMA OF CERVIX

Objective: To study the risk factors, clinical presentation and outcome ofmanagement in patients of carcinoma of cervix for one year. Design: Retrospective descriptive study. Place &Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sheikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Instituteand Hospital, Lahore from January 1998 to December 2000. Subjects & Methods: All the patients of carcinoma ofcervix diagnosed during the period of study were included. Relative information were filled in a proforma. Out of 32cases, 30 cases were selected for study as 2 patient did not report back after initial diagnosis. Results: There were80% patients above the age of 40 years. 90% patients were married below the age of 20 years. There was obviouscorrelation of carcinoma cervix with low socioeconomic status and high parity. Foul smelling bloody vaginal discharge,post-coital bleeding, post-menopausal bleeding and irregular periods were the most common symptoms. Most of thepatients presented late, so 57% patients were referred for radiotherapy alone. Surgery alone was possible in only 5patients and combination of surgery and radiotherapy in 7 patients. Follow up attendance of patients was extremelypoor and there was 1 recurrence after primary treatment with radical surgery and radiotherapy. Conclusion: Lack ofeffective screening programme and awareness of patients have led to the delay in diagnosis. All women of reproductiveage, peri-and post-menopausal age groups, para 5 and above, low socioeconomic status and teenage marriagesshould undergo regular screening for carcinoma of cervix at their own locality.