The site of disease recurrence and patient age should be taken into account when designing chemotherapy trials and also when considering chemotherapy in the patient with recurrent cervix cancer.

Vinorelbine has moderate activity in advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Further studies of combination regimens with this agent are justified in this patient population.

Recent experimental studies of airborne contaminants found in the carbon dioxide laser plume have raised questions as to the potential danger of serious viral transmission during laser procedures. These concerns originated from a study of the human papilloma wart virus that reported intact strands of the DNA virus in the laser plume during the ablation of verrucae with the carbon dioxide laser. However, the study did not demonstrate the viability of such viral remnants. Such viability is difficult to demonstrate due to the strict species specificity of the papilloma virus, thus precluding the possibility of transinfection of an animal model with human papilloma DNA. We have therefore conducted a retrospective study to explore both the incidence of acquired lesions among laser users and also the details predisposing to the development of such lesions. Although a small percentage of our respondents reported acquired lesions, the role of the laser plume as the primary source of such lesions is unlikely. It is our opinion that the majority of reported lesions were acquired through direct contact, and proper sterile technique would significantly reduce the transmission of human papilloma virus during therapeutic procedures.

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The objective of this image presentation is to update the reader with the current clinical applications and future developments concerning the sonographic depiction of ovarian vascularity and flow. This topic is discussed and illustrated using numerous figures that show actual images and their histologic correlation as well as illustrative drawings of central concepts. Color Doppler sonography is an accurate means to depict ovarian vascularity and flow. This information can be used to detect ovarian cancer and adnexal torsion. Future developments include the use of sonographic contrast agents and three-dimensional imaging. This report describes the current state of the art regarding Color Doppler sonography of ovarian vascularity and flow. It also describes areas for future research and development.