The minimum thicknesses of uninvolved cervical tissues at the sites of deepest tumor invasion were evaluated in 899 patients with Stage IB, IIA, and IIB cervical carcinoma. Minimum thicknesses were ≥10 mm in 126 (14%), 5–10 mm in 247 (27%), and <5 mm in 335 (38%) patients. Parametrial extension was found in 191 (21%) patients. Nodal metastasis rates were 6, 10, 22, and 55%, respectively. Patients with ≥10-mm thicknesses did not have two or more positive nodes ( P < 0.05). The proportion of patients with two or three positive nodes increased from 3 to 10% ( P < 0.005) as the minimum thickness decreased from 5–10 to <5 mm. The proportion of patients with four or more positive nodes increased from 3 to 22% ( P < 0.001) in cases in which tumor invaded the parametrial tissues. Five-year disease-free rates were 99, 93, 88, and 65%, respectively. Each percentage decrease was significant ( P < 0.05, 0.05 < P < 0.01, and P < 0.001). These results indicate that uninvolved cervical thickness is a good indicator of nodal metastases, number of positive nodes, and patient prognosis.