Aggressive characteristics of cervical cancer in young women in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics and prognosis of cervical cancer in young women (under 30 years) with those of older women (over 30 years). METHODS: A retrospective study of 2443 patients diagnosed with FIGO stage IA-IIA cervical cancer who underwent surgical procedures between January 1983 and December 2007. RESULTS: Thirty patients (1.2%) were 30 years or younger. The proportion of non-squamous cell carcinoma was higher in patients 30 years or younger compared with in patients over 30 years (14/30, 46.7% vs 10/30, 33.3%; P=0.001). A higher rate of parametrial involvement was found in the younger group of patients compared with those over 30 years (10/30, 33.3% vs 289/2413, 12.0%; P=0.001). Patients under 30 years had a higher rate of distant metastases compared with older patients (60% vs 49.7%; P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Non-squamous histology, parametrial involvement, a higher rate of distant metastases, and poorer prognosis are more common in women aged 30 or younger with cervical cancer than in older women with the disease.