Abstract
To assess the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in staging advanced carcinoma of the cervix, 18 staging evaluations were performed in 16 patients with locally advanced (FIGO Stage IB-IVA) cervical carcinoma. CT staging results were compared with the results of clinical staging and postoperative staging. CT was accurate in 12/18 (66%) cases, clinical staging was accurate in 10/18 (55%) cases, and clinical staging with cystoscopy was accurate in 14/18 (78%) cases. CT staging failed to detect microscopic pelvic sidewall involvement and bladder involvement when there was no contrast material in the bladder. In the detection of para-aortic lymph node involvement by tumor, there were 12 true-negative, 4 true-positive, 1 false-positive, and 1 false-negative study (sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 92%). It is concluded that CT is equal in accuracy to other clinical staging techniques and offers the advantage of visualizing the tumor, which allows for more accurate determination of radiation portals.