Nicotine Abuse as a Prognostic Factor in Stage Ib Cervical Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: The present retrospective study attempts to evaluate the significance of nicotine abuse as a prognostic factor for cervical carcinoma in addition to factors such as histological type, adjuvant radiotherapy, age, histological grading, tumor infiltration of the corpus uteri, tumor size and lymph node metastases. Patients and Methods: Between 1981 and 1987, 163 patients operated at our department or referred to postoperative radiotherapy fulfilled the inclusion criteria: histopathological stage lb (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, FIGO) radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy, and known history of smoking. Results: Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that in addition to the factors tumor size [tumor infiltration of the cervix > 2/3 vs. < 2/3: relative risk (RR) = 4.48; 95% CI = 1.28 -15.72] and pelvic lymph node metastases (positive vs. negative: RR = 3.63; 95% CI = 1.53-8.60). nicotine abuse (yes vs. no: RR = 3.03; 95% CI = 0.14-0.75) is of significant importance for the relapse-free survival. Conclusion: Therefore smokers suffering from cervical carcinoma should be considered as a high-risk group.

The influence of cotinine on interleukin 6 expression in smokers with cervical preneoplasia

“…A strong link between cigarette smoking and cervical cancer has been established, based on the results of many epidemiological studies during the past decade (2)(3)(4)(5). Women who smoke quadruple their risk of invasive and intraepithelial cervical carcinoma compared with nonsmokers (6)(7)(8).…”