Background:
Cervical cancer survival rates in Poland in the years 1990–1994 and 1995–1999 were the lowest in Europe (EUROCARE 3-4 study). The aim is to assess survival rates of cervical cancer patients in Silesia diagnosed in the years 1999–2001 in comparison with survival of the patients diagnosed in previous periods: 1990–1994 and 1995–1998.

Material and Methods:
The analysis based on 4477 cases of cervical cancer aged 15–99 years diagnosed in the years 1990–2001 and followed-up to the end 2006. Data were obtained from Silesia Cancer Registry. Five-year relative survival and relative excess risk of death by selected factors: age, histological type and stage at diagnosis were estimated.

Results:
Five-year relative survival amounted 54.3% in the years 1999–2001. There was no significant improvement on survival against 52.2% in the years 1990–1994. Survival falls with age at diagnosis and is especially low for patients aged above 75 year. Prognostic factors increasing the death risk were: advanced stage at diagnosis, histological type (adenocarcinoma) and age at diagnosis above 75 year.

Conclusions:
5-year survival rates of Silesian women with cervical cancer were significantly lower in comparison with survival rates from EUROCARE studies. Lack of improvement in 5-year relative survival and permanent unfavorable stage distribution may suggest necessity for expansion of screening programs.