Management Of Abnormal Cervical Cytology Research Articles

Effects of Orally Administered Preliminary Analgesic Therapy in Diagnostic Colposcopy Patients: A Prospective Questionnaire Study

Background: Colposcopy has a key role in the diagnostic work-up and management of abnormal cervical cytology, but it might generate negative feelings of mainly anxiety and pain to the patients undergoing such examination. These feelings are interrelated, with the anxiety fueling the painful sensations. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of preliminary administration in terms of pain and anxiety relief that the preliminary administration of paracetamol would have on patients undergoing diagnostic colposcopy. Materials & Methods: We conducted a single center prospective study which enrolled 112 patients with diagnosed or suspected cervical pathology who were examined at the Outpatient Colposcopy Clinic of Patras University Hospital, over a 7-months period. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The interventional group received 1gr of paracetamol (acematiminofen) in pill form, 30 to 60 minutes before colposcopic assessment; the control group received no medication. At the end of consultation, all participants completed a 2-page questionnaire. Results: More patients of the interventional arm did not experience any pain at all during colposcopy compared with the control group. However, this difference was statistically not significant, probably because of the small number of patients. Moreover, there were no differences in mild and moderate pain rates between the interventional and control groups. Severe pain was only experienced by patients in the control group. Further data analysis from the first time as and for repeat colposcopy patients showed similar findings regarding pain intensity rates in the interventional and control group. When considering anxiety levels, no differences were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: The preliminary administration of low dose paracetamol in a pilot sample of colposcopy patients did not illustrate significant benefits in terms of experienced pain and anxiety levels.

Development of A Management Guideline Wheel for Abnormal Pap Smears and Related Cervical Pathology

A Management Guideline Wheel for Abnormal Cervical Pap Smears and related Cervical Pathology has been designed and developed to facilitate a standard and improve the quality of care in management of abnormal cervical cytology, precancerous lesions and cancerous lesions of the cervix. Each step of the wheel takes into account the context of the patient’s medical condition, which include past medical/surgical history, patient compliance, patient awareness regarding the screening process, and the availability of treatment modalities for precancerous cervical lesions.

Evaluation of Different Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Screening and Management of Abnormal Cervical Cytology

This is a comparison review article of the various guidelines that currently exist for cervical cancer screening. The guidelines used for comparison include the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American College of Physicians (ACP), American Cancer Society/American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology/American Society for Clinical Pathology (ACS/ASCCP/ASCP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, Singapore guidelines, National Health Service (NHS) Guidelines,

The use of colposcopic punch biopsy in the management of abnormal cervical cytology: a 5–year retrospective audit

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of colposcopic punch biopsy to detect cervical epithelial neoplasia (CIN) II + in patients with abnormal cervical cytology and the major colposcopic findings in patients who underwent a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), subsequently. A total of 231 patients with abnormal cervical cytology who underwent a colposcopy guided cervical biopsy and subsequent LEEP were analysed. The mean age was 33.4 ± 8.7 years. CIN II + rate on LEEP pathology was significantly higher in patients with high-grade cytology, compared to those with a low-grade cytology (92 vs. 55%, p < .0001). CIN II + was found in 80, 98 and 100% of colpocopic biopsies of patients with LSIL, HSIL and AGC, respectively. The overall concordance rate between a colposcopic biopsy and LEEP was 41% with a kappa coefficient. The overall underestimation of CIN II + was 10.5%. On a patient-based analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of colposcopic biopsy were 89.4, 47.1, 79.5 and 66%, respectively. More than two cervical biopsies had 100% sensitivity for CIN II + on LEEP pathology. The specificity and PPV decreased with increasing number of cervical biopsies. A see-and-treat strategy may be considered for high-grade cytologies. Patients with a low-grade cytology should be managed with more than two colposcopic biopsies.

Management of Abnormal Cervical Cytology: Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US) and Atypical Squamous Cells cannot exclude High Grade Intraepithelial Lesion (ASC-H)

Objective: To review for the management of abnormal cervical cytology: atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high-grade intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H) as a treatment of cervical precancerous lesions in order to avoidexcessive treatment, reduce of unnecessary examinations and to provide cost effectively. Method: Literature study on published literatures and studies about the management of cervical cytology. Conclusion: The results of ASC-US cervical cytology and ASC-H is aninitial screening to detect precancerous cervical lesions. Definitive therapy should be done when finding a low-grade lesions (LSIL) and high degree of lesion(HSIL) squamous intraepithelial. A clinician expected to understand the natural history of HPV infection and the management of precancerous cervical lesions properly. [Indones J Obstet Gynecol 2013; 37-3: 166-170] Keywords: ASC-H, ASC-US, cervical cytology abnormalities, cervical precancerous lesion.

The Overtreatment Risk of See-and-Treat Strategy in Management of Abnormal Cervical Cytology

Background: To evaluate the feasibility of conization without a prior punch biopsy for patients with abnormal cytology. Methods: A retrospective review was performed for 700 patients who underwent conization at a single institution from January 2003 to August 2012. Each of these patients was assigned to one of two groups, either the ‘see-and-treat' group or the ‘three-step' group, depending on whether the patient had undergone a punch biopsy before conization or not. The final histologic results of two groups were compared. Results: The overtreatment risk was higher in the ‘see-and-treat' group in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance/low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASCUS/LSIL) cytology (64.7% in the ‘see-and-treat' group vs. 36.5% in the ‘three-step' group; p = 0.001). There was no significant statistical difference in the rate of cervical dysplasia or invasive carcinoma in patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cytology between groups (91.8% in the ‘see-and-treat' group vs. 93.5% in the ‘three-step' group; p = 0.793). Conclusion: The patients with HSIL on cytology can be managed by a ‘see-and-treat' strategy with a low risk of overtreatment. On the other hand, the ‘three-step' management is more appropriate in patients with ASCUS/LSIL cytology.

Histopathological outcomes of women with abnormal cervical cytology: a review of literature in Thailand.

Cervical cytology remains the principal screening method to detect pre-invasive and invasive cervical lesions. Management of abnormal cervical cytology depends on the risk of encountering a significant cervical lesion or high-grade cervical disease. These risks may vary in different areas across the country. Thus, determining the rate of significant cervical lesion associated with each type of abnormal cervical cytology in each area is of critical importance for designing area-specific management approach. This review was conducted to evaluate the rate of high-grade cervical disease among Thai women with abnormal cervical cytology. A relatively high incidence of underlying significant lesions including invasive disease was demonstrated even in those having only minimal smear abnormality. This baseline information is crucial and must be taken into consideration in management of women with abnormal cytological screening to achieve the goals of comprehensive cervical cancer control in Thailand.

High rates of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3 in young women undergoing immediate excisional procedure for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cytology

Objectives: New guidelines for the management of abnormal cervical cytology in women <25years old recommend against the use of immediate excisional procedures (commonly referred to as see-and-treat) for HSIL cytology. The objective of this study was to compare rates of CIN 3 between women 21 to 24years and women ≥25years undergoing see-and-treat procedures.

Evaluation and Management of Abnormal Cervical Cytology During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a particularly motivating time for a woman to access the health care system and seek out preventative services. Papanicolaou screening is a routine part of the initial examination. Although the vast majority of smears will have a normal result, it is important for providers to be aware of the appropriate evaluation of abnormal cervical cytology in this unique population because the standard management algorithms do not always apply. For example, colposcopy during pregnancy is a safe and effective tool, but endocervical curettage is contraindicated. In addition, for most diagnoses, more aggressive intervention is often best delayed.

RETIRED: Colposcopic Management of Abnormal Cervical Cytology and Histology

To provide a guideline for managing abnormal cytology results after screening for cervical cancer, to clarify the appropriate algorithms for follow-up after treatment, and to promote the best possible care for women while ensuring efficient use of available resources. Women with abnormal cytology are at risk of developing cervical cancer; appropriate triage and treatment will reduce this risk. This guideline will facilitate implementation of common standards across Canada, moving away from the current trend of individual guidelines in each province and territory. Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed or Medline, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library in October 2008 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., colposcopy, cervical dysplasia) and key words (e.g., colposcopy management, CIN, AGC, cervical dysplasia, LEEP, LLETZ, HPV testing, cervical dysplasia triage). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date or language restrictions. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to July 2012. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology assessment-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, and national and international medical specialty societies. Expert opinion from published peer-reviewed literature and evidence from clinical trials is summarized. Consensus opinion is outlined when evidence is insufficient. The quality of the evidence is rated using the criteria described by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1). This guideline has been reviewed for accuracy from content experts in cytology, pathology, and cervical screening programs. Guideline content was also compared with similar documents from other organizations including the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, the British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the European Cancer Network.

Practice Improvement in Cervical Screening and Management (PICSM)

A symposium with the primary goal of identifying strategies to increase the adoption of evidence based consensus guidelines for cervical cancer screening and the management of abnormal cervical cytology and histology in adolescents and young women was held June 19–20, 2009 in Bethesda, MD at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the sponsorship of the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) and in partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS). The 2006 ASCCP Guidelines for the Management of Women with Abnormal Cervical Cytology and Cervical Cancer Precursors were developed at a consensus process comprising 146 experts representing 29 organizations and professional societies who met at the NIH. The guidelines contain special recommendations to manage abnormal adolescent cytology results. These recommendations have subsequently been adopted by ACOG. The guidelines identify adolescents, defined as females under the age of 21 years, as a special population requiring interventions based on evidence recognizing the natural history of abnormal cytology is different in adolescents than adults. Anecdotal reports and clinician surveys verify under usage of the 2002 ACS [1] and 2003 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines [2], on when to initiate screening, and the 2006 ASCCP management guidelines for adolescents [3–5]. PICSM delegates, representing 22 organizations, reviewed the literature on cytologic abnormalities in adolescent and young women to identify where evidence was lacking, assess adherence to existing recommendations; and, based on these findings, addressed strategies to increase guideline usage in adolescents and young women. Consensus recommendations were achieved on key messages that needed to be disseminated and methods to disseminate and implement them were recommended. Supporting information, not available at the time of the symposium, has been added. The following summarizes the 9 presentations.

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 436: Evaluation and Management of Abnormal Cervical Cytology and Histology in Adolescents

The management of abnormal cervical cytology in adolescents differs from that of the adult population. Cervical cancer is almost nonexistent in adolescents, yet human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is very common in this population. In the past 5 years there has been significant advancement in the management of HPV-related diseases in adolescents. The publication of the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology 2006 consensus guidelines has led to major changes in the prevention and management of cervical disease in adolescents. With the availability of the HPV vaccination (since 2006), it is expected that these guidelines will continue to change. The American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology guidelines now advise against HPV testing and recommend against treatment of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1. In addition, among adherent adolescents, treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 also should be deferred. These new guidelines were established to minimize the potential negative impact that treatment can have on future pregnancy outcomes, while taking advantage of the natural history of HPV in young women.

European guidelines for clinical management of abnormal cervical cytology, Part 2

The current paper presents the second part of chapter 6 of the second edition of the European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Cervical Cancer Screening. The first part of the same chapter was published in a previous issue (Cytopathology 2008;19:342-54). This part provides guidance on how to manage and treat women with histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The paper describes the characteristics, indications and possible complications of excisional and ablative treatment methods. The three options to monitor the outcome after treatment (repeat cytology, HPV testing and colposcopy) are discussed. Specific recommendations for particular clinical situations are provided: pregnancy, immuno-suppression, HIV infection, post-menopause, adolescence and cyto-colpo-histological disparity. The paper ends with recommendations for quality assurance in patient management and some general advice on how to communicate screening, diagnosis and treatment results to the woman concerned. Finally, a data collection form is attached.

ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 99: Management of Abnormal Cervical Cytology and Histology

Recent evidence has shown that the risk of malignant and premalignant cervical disease and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections varies significantly with age (1,2). Furthermore, evidence now shows that treatment for cervical disease carries significant risk for future pregnancies (3-7). These factors have led to a re-evaluation of the guidelines for the management of premalignant cervical disease. The purpose of this document is to define strategies for diagnosis and management of abnormal cervical cytology and histology results. In this document, HPV refers to high-risk oncogenic forms of the virus.

European guidelines for quality assurance in cervical cancer screening: recommendations for clinical management of abnormal cervical cytology, part 1

The current paper presents the first part of Chapter 6 of the second edition of the European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Cervical Cancer Screening. It provides guidance on how to manage women with abnormal cervical cytology. Throughout this article the Bethesda system is used for cervical cytology terminology, as the European guidelines have recommended that all systems should at least be translated into that terminology while cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is used for histological biopsies (Cytopathology 2007; 18:213-9). A woman with a high-grade cytological lesion, a repeated low-grade lesion or with an equivocal cytology result and a positive human papillomavirus (HPV) test should be referred for colposcopy. The role of the colposcopist is to identify the source of the abnormal cells and to make an informed decision as to whether or not any treatment is required. If a patient requires treatment the colposcopist will decide which is the most appropriate method of treatment for each individual woman. The colposcopist should also organize appropriate follow-up for each woman seen. Reflex testing for high-risk HPV types of women with atypical squamous cells (ASC) of undetermined significance with referral for colposcopy of women who test positive is a first option. Repeat cytology is a second possibility. Direct referral to a gynaecologist should be restricted to special circumstances. Follow-up of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion is more difficult because currently there is no evidence to support any method of management as being optimal; repeat cytology and colposcopy are options, but HPV testing is not sufficiently selective, unless for older women. Women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) or atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H) should be referred without triage. Women with glandular lesions require particular attention. In a subsequent issue of Cytopathology, the second part of Chapter 6 will be presented, with recommendations for management and treatment of histologically confirmed intraepithelial neoplasia and guidance for follow-up of special cases such as women who are pregnant, postmenopausal or immunocompromised.

Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Disease in Adolescents

The addition of the human papillomavirus vaccination and the 2006 national guidelines for the management of abnormal cervical cytology have led to significant changes in the management of cervical disease among adolescents. This article reviews recommendations for prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management of cervical disease.

Impact of colposcopy on management outcomes of patients with abnormal cervical cytology

With stringent cervical cytology screening programmes for women in reproductive age group, cervical cancer is, to a large extent, preventable. Back-up confirmatory colposcopic evaluation is necessary in order for cytology to have impact on cervical cancer-related morbidity and mortality. To track the management outcomes of abnormal cervical cytology and hence confer credence to the value of colposcopy in management of abnormal cervical cytology. Retrospective descriptive study. Kenya Medical Women Association Colposcopy Clinic. Correlation of cervical cytologic abnormalities with colposcopic outcomes and eventual management outcomes. The population was young, with 50.6% being 25-34 years old, and 59.3% less than 35 years of age. Parity was also low, with nearly 75% being para three or less. A substantial proportion of women had normal colposcopic findings (42.0, 26.7,18.6 and 11.1% for cytologic abnormalities CIN I, CIN II, CIN III and invasive carcinoma respectively). Colposcopic abnormality detection rate, irrespective of the severity of the lesion, increased with severity of cytologic lesion (from 58.0% CIN I to 89.0% for invasive carcinoma). The sensitivity of cervical cytology was 58, 59 and 65% for CIN I,II and III respectively, while respective specificity was 72, 71 and 85%. The concordance rates between cytological and colposcopic findings were 38.6, 32.5 and 60% for CIN I, II and III respectively. The eventual management outcome was operative (LEEP and Hysterectomy) in greater frequency as the severity of the cytologic lesion increased. Colposcopy has significant impact on the management outcomes of abnormal cervical cytology and is therefore an invaluable procedure in management of abnormal cervical cytology. For this reason, it is imperative that governments avail these services to all women, in addition to enforcing regular cytologic screening for cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus infections in primary care.

Cervical cancer continues to be a leading cause of mortality worldwide. The incidence and mortality associated with invasive cervical cancer have declined significantly in developed countries due to widespread availability of screening with the Papanicolaou (Pap) test. However, the incidence and prevalence of non-invasive cervical intraepithelial neoplasms and genital warts related to oncogenic and nononcogenic strains of human papilloma viruses (HPV) have remained relatively stable. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have resulted in improved characterization of various HPV types and have led to changes in terminology of Pap test findings. Changes in nomenclature may lead to confusion among primary care providers regarding how best to further evaluate abnormal cytological results. This article provides a concise overview of the approach to the treatment of genital warts and management of abnormal cervical cytology based on guidelines from the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. It also reviews advances in HPV vaccine development and the new recombinant vaccine recently approved for use in the United States.

Optical coherence tomography as a diagnostic aid to visual inspection and colposcopy for preinvasive and invasive cancer of the uterine cervix

The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of optical coherence tomography (OCT) under two well-defined clinical settings. First, as an aid to cervical cancer screening, using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) in low-resource settings, and the second, as an adjunct to the traditional management of abnormal cervical cytology with colposcopy and biopsy. Patients referred for colposcopy with > or = atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance were accrued for the study. Each subject underwent VIA and colposcopy. OCT was performed in all VIA- and colposcopy-positive areas and at the squamocolumnar junction in all four quadrants. The sensitivity of VIA for > or = cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 was 76% (95% CI 58-88). When OCT was applied to VIA as a secondary screen, the specificity improved from 34% (95% CI 27-41) to 61% (95% CI 60-74). With liberal diagnostic criteria for the majority of the colposcopy examinations, OCT showed an even greater relative improvement in specificity. OCT proved to be a fair diagnostic modality (receiver operating characteristic curve 0.73) adjunctive to VIA and colposcopy. On the basis of the above findings, we believe that this technology could potentially show greatest utility in the management of cervical dysplasia in low-resource settings where a single episode of care is most desirable.

Management of Abnormal Cervical Cytology: Age Matters

Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is cost-effective for the management of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). The ASC-US