[Current role of pre-scalene biopsy in the pretherapeutic evaluation of invasive cancer of the uterine cervix].

Despite coded staging of localization studies in cancer of the uterine cervix, numerous authors have attempted to improve knowledge concerning certain prognostic factors, of which the most important in lymph node status. It is with this in view that pre-scalene biopsies are performed. Their adjunction to pretreatment investigations appears to be determining, especially in advanced-stage forms when aggressive surgical (pelvic exenteration), radiation (lomboaortic irradiation) or even chemotherapeutic treatments are being considered. Because of the wide variation in the results in the literature and the lack of precision of the indications of this low-morbidity surgical procedure, the authors decided to define the place of this supraclavicular lymph node investigation for staging. While it need not be systematic in the early stages of the disease, this does not seem to be the case in advanced stages and recurrences which call for a more moderate attitude.