Risk for residual adenocarcinoma in situ or cervical adenocarcinoma in women undergoing loop electrosurgical excision procedure/conization for adenocarcinoma in situ.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk for residual adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) or cervical adenocarcinoma in women undergoing loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)/conization as the initial management for AIS.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective chart study was conducted from 1990 to 2005. Patients with AIS were identified from a pathology database.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients were identified with AIS of the cervix who were initially treated with LEEP/conization. Twelve cases of invasive adenocarcinoma (28%) were identified on LEEP/conization. Margin status was available for 41 patients. Twenty (49%) patients had a positive margin, and 21 (51%) patients had a negative margin. Nineteen women with positive margins underwent definitive surgical therapy; 68% had residual AIS. Eleven women with negative margins underwent hysterectomy; 45% had residual AIS. Women with positive and negative margins were compared and found to differ significantly in regard to diagnosis of adenocarcinoma on LEEP/conization.

CONCLUSION

Women status post-LEEP/conization for AIS have a high risk of residual AIS, even with negative conization margins. If definitive hysterectomy is deferred, close follow-up is mandatory.