Cervical conization of adenocarcinoma in situ: a predicting model of residual disease.

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors associated with the presence of residual disease in women who have undergone cervical conization for adenocarcinoma in situ (ACIS) of the cervix.

STUDY

DESIGN

We identified women who underwent a cervical conization for a diagnosis of ACIS followed by repeat conization or hysterectomy between Jan. 1, 1995, and April 30, 2010. Data were summarized using standard descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients met study criteria. The presence of ACIS at the internal conization margin or in the postconization endocervical curettage (ECC) correlated with residual ACIS (P < .001). A margin positive for ACIS was associated with residual glandular neoplasia in 68% of cases. An endocervical curettage positive for ACIS was associated with residual ACIS in 95% of cases. If both the margins and the endocervical curettage were positive for the presence of ACIS, 8% did not have residual disease, 77% had residual ACIS, and 15% had invasive adenocarcinoma. If both the internal conization margin and the postconization ECC were negative for the presence of ACIS, 14% of the final specimens had residual ACIS and none had invasive cancer.

CONCLUSION

The addition of postconization ECC to cone biopsy for ACIS of the cervix provides valuable prognostic information regarding the risk of residual ACIS. Women with ACIS who have both a negative postconization ECC and a negative conization margin have a 14% risk for residual ACIS and can be treated conservatively if desiring fertility. A positive postconization ECC or internal margin incurs significant risk of residual disease and 12-17% will have cancer.