Follow-up studies in dysplasia and cancer in situ of the cervix uteri.

In order to study when recurrences appear following conization for dysplasia or cancer in situ of the cervix uteri, a series of 477 patients has been investigated. They all underwent conization at Sabbatsberg 1965-1970. Among the 181 cases of dysplasia two developed recurrences one respectively three years after treatment. In the series of 296 patients with cancer in situ thirteen recurrences appeared. Eight of them were detected within the first three years. The other five were spread out during the next four years. About 50% of all patients had been followed-up for five years or more (Table I). The conclusion is reached that a yearly follow-up is necessary for at least ten years. As it is impossible to take care of such an accumulating number of examinations at the Swedish departments of obstetrics and gynecology without extra personnel, the following proposal is made. During the first three years after treatment the examinations are performed at the department where the conization has been performed. After that period the follow-up is limited to vaginal smears taken once every year in connection with the general gynecologic health control.