Carcinoma of the cervical stump in Jewish women in Israel

Among 291 Jewish women with cervical cancer diagnosed in Israel between 1966 and 1971, eight (2.7%) had cancer of the cervical stump (CCS). This frequency is somewhat lower than that reported in the literature. The frequency of CCS among those born in Africa and Asia was especially low (2%) compared to those born in Europe (3.9%). The latter rate is close to that reported elsewhere. The low frequency of CCS in the non-European women may possibly be attributed to greater awareness of the surgeon of the high risk of cervical cancer in the country of origin of the women as well as the overall high rate of hysterectomy. Subtotal hysterectomy, still performed by some gynecologists in Israel, should be discouraged.