COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN INVASIVE CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX: AN APPRAISAL

The clinical staging, computed tomographic scans, and surgical findings in 42 patients with cervical carcinoma were compared prospectively to determine the accuracy and clinical utility of computed tomography in demonstrating extent of disease and involvement of paraaortic lymph nodes. Computed tomography was of limited value in stage IB and IIB tumors, but was comparable in accuracy to clinical examination in the assessment of IIB disease. Computed tomography was of value in radiation therapy and may detect unsuspected bony metastases (stage IVB). Retroperitoneal adenopathy can be detected by computed tomography with an overall accuracy of 83% and a specificity of 86%. Computed tomography is an important adjunct in determining tumor extent in more advanced disease (stages IIIB and IVB) and in detecting paraaortic adenopathy.