A Study of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix in a Young versus an Older Thai Population

Abstract

A retrospective clinico-pathologic review was undertaken of all cases of invasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma accessioned at Siriraj Hospital from 1980 to 1985 in women 35 years or less and 55 years or greater. After study crite ria were applied, 635 women were eligible for inclusion: 152 younger and 483 older. Younger women tended to present with early (Stage IB) as opposed to ad vanced (Stage III) stage disease found in older women (p<0.001). An earlier stage at presentation may be attributed to their higher frequency of contact bleeding (22% versus 2%). No shift in age distribution of disease to a younger population was found (p>0.05). A self addressed questionnaire was mailed to the patient's last known address in an attempt to increase follow-up data but significant deficits in the data base regarding time to first recurrence, its location, and date of death persisted. These deficits precluded an analysis of possible differences in tumour behaviour and virulence between younger and older women. Continued monitoring of this disease is warranted in view of world-wide reports of changing patterns of epidemiology and biology. (Thai J Obstet Gynaecol 1992; 4: 43-50.)