What is the current understanding of treating precancerous lesions of the cervix according to research?

Answer from top 10 papers

Research indicates a multifaceted approach to the treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix, focusing on screening, diagnosis, and various treatment modalities. Screening through Pap smears and colposcopies is crucial for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), with a significant proportion of screened women showing precancerous lesions, a majority of which are high-grade (Uzel & Lakhno, 2020). The presence of bacterial vaginosis has been associated with an increased risk of diagnosing CIN and cervical cancer in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, suggesting the need for further study of vaginal biotope disorders (2, 2023).
Treatment techniques such as the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) combined with vaginal cytology have been shown to be effective, with high rates of postoperative negative cytology tests, indicating successful removal of lesions (Zhang, 2017). Additionally, the use of molecular biomarkers is emerging as a promising method to predict the progression of precancerous lesions and improve screening accuracy (Kutsenko et al., 2022). Simple and safe modalities like Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are being considered for future treatment due to their high efficacy and cost-effectiveness (Winata & Taufiq, 2022).
Furthermore, cervical conization is highlighted as an important diagnostic and treatment method for high-grade CIN, with various types being developed (Modinou et al., 2010). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared different surgical treatments for CIN, with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) providing reliable histology with the least morbidity (Zhang et al., 2013). National guidelines, such as those from Saudi Arabia, recommend HPV DNA testing and LEEP or cryotherapy for treatment (Martin-Hirsch et al., 2013). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is also explored as a treatment option with fewer side effects (Chen, 2017). Lastly, adjuvant HPV vaccination post-destructive therapy for CIN is being debated, with some evidence suggesting it may reduce the recurrence risk of precancerous cervical neoplasia (Al-Mandeel et al., 2016).
In summary, the treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix involves a combination of screening, accurate diagnosis, and a range of treatment options from surgical interventions to potential use of vaccines and TCA. The effectiveness of these treatments varies, and ongoing research is essential to optimize outcomes and prevent the progression to cervical cancer (2, 2023; Al-Mandeel et al., 2016; Chen, 2017; Kutsenko et al., 2022; Martin-Hirsch et al., 2013; Modinou et al., 2010; Uzel & Lakhno, 2020; Winata & Taufiq, 2022; Zhang et al., 2013; Zhang, 2017).

Source Papers

The possible role of bacterial vaginosis in the pathogenesis of cervical precancerous lesions

The role of papillomavirus infection in the development of precancerous diseases and cervical cancer is known. Bacterial vaginosis was found to induce the deficiency of immune response of the vaginal mucosa surface. This disease is a frequent satellite of papillomavirus infection. Colposcopy and cytology are routinely used in the detection of precancerous processes of the cervix. A biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis, thereby reducing the invasiveness of treatment and related complications. A study of the possible role of bаcterial vaginosis in the pathogenesis of cervical intraepithelial lesion and cervical cancer in patients with human papillomavirus infection was performed. 126 reproductive-aged women were enrolled in the study, 30 of them were practically healthy and included in Group I. In Group II, 46 women with pathological processes of the uterine cervix and human papillomavirus infection were observed. In group III, there were 50 patients with cervical intraepithelial lesions, human papillomavirus infection and bacterial vaginosis. The vaginal discharge bacterioscopy, colposcopy, cytology, quantification and typing of vaginal commensals by polymerase chain reaction were done in the study population. It was found that even with the normal type of cytological smear, chronic cervicitis was observed in 17.7 % of patients, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in 11.5 %. The sensitivity of cytological Pap smears with respect to the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer was 86.5 %, and specificity 70.0 %. The incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer was 42.0 % and 23.3% in Group III and Group II, respectively. The presence of bacterial vaginosis in patients with papillomavirus infection was a possible factor that increased the risk of diagnosing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer by 15.8 %. This result demonstrates the necessity for further study of vaginal biotope disorders in women with papillomavirus infection and associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer.

Open Access
Vaccination against human papillomavirus after adjuvant therapy of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Background. The relevance of the problem is supported by the lack of effective secondary prevention measures against human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. The only currently verified treatment for lower genital neoplasia is destructive therapy, with the recurrence rate of viral infection remaining quite high even after such interventions. The preventive role of HPV vaccine at pre-existing cervical lesions is actively debated worldwide, but the evidence remains scattered and contradictory. The present study surveys the scientific publications available that evaluate the efficacy of human papillomavirus vaccination as a secondary prevention measure against related cervical pathology.Objectives. An evidence survey on the efficacy of adjuvant vaccination against human papillomavirus in patients undergoing destructive therapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.Methods. We have conducted a 10 year-depth review of scientific literature on the adjuvant human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination efficacy for reducing the recurrence risk of precancerous cervical neoplasia. The results are presented in form of the difference of mean or pooled 95% confidence-interval odds ratios (OR; 95% CI). Statistical analyses were conducted with Review Manager v. 5.4 (The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020).Results. Thirteen Russian- and English-language studies were selected for final analysis. A total of 21,702 cervical dysplasia patients were included: 5,941 (27.4%) received a perioperative HPV vaccine, while 15,761 (72.6%) only had surgical treatment. Recurrences of CIN I (mild cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.27–0.73; p = 0.001) and CIN II (moderate cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.20–0.52; p <0.0001) were lower in the vaccinated vs. unvaccinated cohort.Conclusion. Adjuvant HPV vaccination associates with a lower risk of recurrence in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Further research is necessary to shed more light on the role of human papillomavirus vaccination as a secondary prevention measure against its associated lesions.

Open Access
Surgery for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is the most common pre-malignant lesion. Atypical squamous changes occur in the transformation zone of the cervix with mild, moderate or severe changes described by their depth (CIN 1, 2 or 3). Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is treated by local ablation or lower morbidity excision techniques. Choice of treatment depends on the grade and extent of the disease. To assess the effectiveness and safety of alternative surgical treatments for CIN. We searched the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Group Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE and EMBASE (up to November 2012). We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings and reference lists of included studies. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of alternative surgical treatments in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Two review authors independently abstracted data and assessed risks of bias. Risk ratios that compared residual disease after the follow-up examination and adverse events in women who received one of either laser ablation, laser conisation, large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), knife conisation or cryotherapy were pooled in random-effects model meta-analyses. Twenty-nine trials were included. Seven surgical techniques were tested in various comparisons. No significant differences in treatment failures were demonstrated in terms of persistent disease after treatment. Large loop excision of the transformation zone appeared to provide the most reliable specimens for histology with the least morbidity. Morbidity was lower than with laser conisation, although the trials did not provide data for every outcome measure. There were not enough data to assess the effect on morbidity when compared with laser ablation. The evidence suggests that there is no obvious superior surgical technique for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in terms of treatment failures or operative morbidity.

Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Screening and Treatment of Precancerous Lesions for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUNDCervical cancer is the third most common gynecological malignancy in Saudi women with an estimated incidence rate of 1.9 cases per 100 000 women-years. More than 40% of cervical cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages due to lack of a routine screening program in Saudi Arabia. Thus, national guidelines for routine screening and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions are needed.METHODSThe Saudi Centre for Evidence-Based Healthcare invited a panel of local experts and partnered them with a team from McMaster University in Canada for methodological support, to develop national clinical practice guidelines on the screening and treatment of precancerous lesions for cervical cancer. After the panel identified key clinical questions, the McMaster University working group updated existing systematic reviews that had been used for the 2013 WHO Guidelines for screening and treatment of precancerous lesions for cervical cancer prevention. Recommendations were based on the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. Those recommendations took into account the available evidence, patient values and preferences, and resource use in the Saudi context. The panel provided recommendations on two major issues: screening for precancerous lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 & 3) and treatment of those lesions to prevent cervical cancer in women who tested positive after screening.CONCLUSIONSThe Saudi expert panel recommends using the HPV DNA test followed by colposcopy or cytology (Pap test) followed by colposcopy to screen for CIN2+ in women at risk of cervical cancer. The panel recommends cryotherapy or loop excision electrosurgery procedure (LEEP) over cold knife cone biopsy to treat women at risk of cervical cancer that tests positive for CIN2+. Universal screening for precancerous cervical dysplasia in women in Saudi Arabia is recommended using HPV testing and or cytology. Either cryotherapy or LEEP are preferred for treatment.LIMITATIONSNational studies on cervical cancer screening modalities and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions, including HPV prevalence and its association with cervical cancer, are scarce.