Diagnostic, endocrinological, behavioral, and DNA ploidy differences between squamous cell and adenomatous carcinoma of the cervix uteri

The objective of this study was to compare behavioral and hormonal risk factors, and cancer characteristics in squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the cervix uteri. The study included 45 women with adenocarcinoma and 190 consecutive women with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri diagnosed between 1984 and 1990. In addition to routine diagnostic procedures, DNA from biopsies was analyzed with flow cytometry to identify the S-phase fraction as a measure of cancer growth. Serum progesterone and estradiol were measured, and ever hormonal use and smoking were recorded. Ten-year mortality was estimated. There was no significant difference in age at diagnosis. Women with adenocarcinoma, compared with those with squamous epithelial carcinoma, had a significantly shorter duration of ever contraceptive use, were less likely to smoke (nonsignificant), had a lower cancer stage, were less likely to have an S-phase fraction of more than 16%, and had a higher progesterone value (if premenopausal). The results suggest that there are some different risk factors in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix uteri.