[Treatment of cervical cancer using the Wertheim-Latzko radical operation at the Gynecology Clinic of Pécs].

The authors performed 119 Wertheim--Latzko operations from July 1, 1975 to December 31, 1988. 108 patients are still alive. The 5 years survival rate of patients operated on before 1984 was 89.8%. Radical hysterectomy involving careful removal of regional lymphnodes was carried out after lymphography and preoperative irradiation. Postoperative irradiation was made on radiologist's indication. Significance of combined surgical and radiotherapy is emphasised in the management of cervical cancer in stages IB and IIA. Surgery is especially important in adenocarcinomas that are less sensitive to irradiation, in cases of large and necrotic tumors with the barrel formation of endocervical cavity and in cases not showing appropriate regression after radiotherapy. Surgical tumor removal appears to be of much value in young patients, in cases of anaplastic tumors in suspicious lymphographic findings, and in those patients, whose recovery may be expected only from operation and supplementary radiotherapy. Very important condition for obtaining good recovery results and low rate of surgical complications are the team of experienced surgeons and organized regional centres for radical hysterectomies.