This retrospective study is aimed at evaluating the role of CT scan in predicting parametrium involvement in early stage of cervical carcinoma. It was conducted in a Gynaecologic Oncology Centre, Hospital Alor Star from January 2004 till December 2008. All patients with operable stage I and II cervical cancer had pelvic CT scan for evaluation of parametrium involvement before undergoing radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Parametrial streakiness or presence of infiltration suggested local invasion. Following radical hysterectomy, the specimens sent for histological confirmation and the correlation between the CT scan finding and the histopathology result was studied. The result revealed a total of 104 patients with operable stage cervical carcinoma had pelvic CT scan. The sensitivity and the specificity of CT scan in assessing parametrial involvement was 33.3% and 84.8%, respectively. In conclusion, CT scan had high specificity but low sensitivity in determining parametrial involvement in early stage of cervical cancer. Hence, routine preoperative pelvic CT scan has a limited role in assessing parametrial involvement in early stage cervical carcinoma.
Well differentiated villoglandular adenocarcinoma of uterine cervix is a rare tumour which usually occurs in young women. It is considered to be an indolent tumour with favorable prognosis and most of them were treated by conservative procedures. We report a 35 year old lady who came with complaints of 3 months amenorrhoea and an episode of spontaneous bleeding. Urine pregnancy test was negative. Physical examination revealed a cervical polyp. Histopathological findings were consistent with villoglandular papillary adenocarcinoma associated with high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN-3). Left parametrial and left ureteral involvement, proved by biopsy, causing left hydroureteronephrosis was detected. The patient was thus found to be in an advanced stage, stage- III b (FIGO). The patient is currently undergoing radiotherapy. A review of literature showed that only occasional cases showing disease spread have been reported, suggesting caution in the management and regular follow up of the patient.