Cervical Adenocarcinoma in Situ: Update and Management

Abstract

Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the uterine cervix is caused by infection with high-risk human papillomavirus and is the recognized precursor of invasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix. Because most AIS lesions are caused by HPV 16/18 infection, prophylactic HPV vaccination is an important step toward prevention of AIS, potentially reducing the incidence of invasive adenocarcinoma. Nonetheless, at the moment the incidence of AIS and invasive adenocarcinoma continues to increase, especially among young women when fertility preservation is an issue. Both diagnosis and treatment of AIS is challenging, because AIS lesions frequently extend into the endocervical canal, making detection and complete excision difficult. Hysterectomy remains the standard treatment for AIS. Selected patients, who wish to preserve fertility, with clear margins and negative ECC after initial conization are potential candidates for conservative treatment. If margins are involved after initial conization or ECC results are positive, the risk of residual or recurrent AIS and invasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix is considerably high. In these women, repeat surgery should be performed. For women, who do not undergo hysterectomy, long-term follow-up is recommended.