OBJECTIVE: To conclude conditions, indications and principles of performance of hysterectomy for cervical precancer lesions. DESIGN: Review article. SETTING: Oncogynecological center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, General Faculty Hospital and 1st Medical School of Charles University, Prague. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hysterectomy is considered as "gold standard" only in management of glandular precancer lesions. Decision making about hysterectomy in other cases must respect some negative effects of hysterectomy on the one hand and high therapeutical efficacy of conservative surgical procedures and comparable incidence of vaginal and cervical invasive cancers in radically or conservativelly managed women on the other hand. CONCLUSIONS: Indications for hysterectomy in cervical precancer lesions should be strictly individualised and limited to patients without reproductive desire and to patients in which "occult" invasive cancer is excluded.

Onkogynekologické centrum Gynekologicko porodnická klinika VFN a 1 LF UK Praha