Positive Endocervical Margins Research Articles

Rate of Involved Endocervical Margins According to High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Subtype and Transformation Zone Type in Specimens with Cone Length ≤ 10 mm versus > 10 mm-A Retrospective Analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the endocervical margin status according to transformation zone (TZ) and high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) subtype in specimens with cone length ≤ 10 mm versus > 10 mm to provide data for informed decision making and patients counseling especially for women wishing to conceive. In this retrospective cohort study, 854 patients who underwent large loop excision of the transformation zone during a nine-year period (2013-2021) for cervical disease were analyzed. The main outcome parameters were excision length, histological result, TZ type, HPV subtype and endocervical margin status. A subgroup analysis was performed according to excision length, with a cut-off value of 10 mm. A two-step surgical procedure was performed in case of an excision length of > 10 mm. The overall rate of positive endocervical margins irrespective of excision length was 17.2%, with 19.3% in specimens with ≤ 10 mm and 15.0% with > 10 mm excision length. Overall, 41.2% of women with a visible TZ and HPV 16/hr infection and 27.0% of women with HPV 18 received an excisional treatment of > 10 mm length without further oncological benefit, respectively. In contrast, assuming that only an excision of ≤ 10 mm length had been performed in women with visible TZ, the rate of clear endocervical margins would have been 63.7% for HPV 16/hr infections and 49.3% for HPV 18 infections. In conclusion, the decision about excision length should be discussed with the patient in terms of oncological safety and the risk of adverse pregnancy events. An excision length > 10 mm increases the number of cases with cervical tissue removed without further oncological benefit, which needs to be taken into account in order to provide an individual therapeutic approach. Furthermore, HPV 18 positivity is related to a higher rate of positive endocervical margins irrespective of TZ.

Outcomes of High-Grade Cervical Dysplasia with Positive Margins and HPV Persistence after Cervical Conization.

The objective of this work is to assess the 5-year outcomes of patients undergoing conization for high-grade cervical lesions that simultaneously present as risk factors in the persistence of HPV infection and the positivity of surgical resection margins. This is a retrospective study evaluating patients undergoing conization for high-grade cervical lesions. All patients included had both positive surgical margins and experienced HPV persistence at 6 months. Associations were evaluated with Cox proportional hazard regression and summarized using hazard ratio (HR). The charts of 2966 patients undergoing conization were reviewed. Among the whole population, 163 (5.5%) patients met the inclusion criteria, being at high risk due to the presence of positive surgical margins and experiencing HPV persistence. Of 163 patients included, 17 (10.4%) patients developed a CIN2+ recurrence during the 5-year follow-up. Via univariate analyses, diagnosis of CIN3 instead of CIN2 (HR: 4.88 (95%CI: 1.10, 12.41); p = 0.035) and positive endocervical instead of ectocervical margins (HR: 6.44 (95%CI: 2.80, 9.65); p < 0.001) were associated with increased risk of persistence/recurrence. Via multivariate analyses, only positive endocervical instead of ectocervical margins (HR: 4.56 (95%CI: 1.23, 7.95); p = 0.021) were associated with worse outcomes. In this high-risk group, positive endocervical margins is the main risk factor predicting 5-year recurrence.

Risk Factors for Persistence or Recurrence of High-Grade Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions.

to evaluate whether the colposcopic lesion size , age, kind of surgery, the status of the surgical margins and the expression of the p16 and Ki-67 immunomarkers are risk factors for persistence or recurrence of the lesion. a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study of patients submitted to cold knife conization (CKC) or the loop electrosurgical excision procedure for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or 3. The colposcopic lesion size, age, surgical method, involvement of the surgical margins, and p16/Ki-67 immunomarker expression were analyzed in relation to lesion persistence and recurrence. seventy-one women were treated with cold knife conization and 200 were treated with loop electrosurgical excision. Of these, 95 had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2, 173 had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3, 183 had free surgical margins, 76 had compromised margins, and 12 showed damage by processing artifact or fragments. Among the 76 cases with positive margins, 55, 11, and 10 showed endocervical margin involvement, ectocervical margin involvement, and both endocervial and ectocervical margin involvement, respectively. Of the 264 followed-up patients, 38 had persistent or recurrent disease. A multiple logistic regression indicated that positive endocervical margins are the only independent risk factor for the persistence/recurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. No significant association was identified between the colposcopic lesion size, age, surgery type, or p16/Ki-67 immunomarker expression and lesion persistence or recurrence.

Should attention be paid to the cone depth in the fully visible transformation zone? Retrospective analysis of 517 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3.

The predictors of positive endocervical margin (EM) and a cone-depth cutoff value are not established in the fully visible transformation zone (TZ). The present study aimed to assess the independent variables associated with positive EM in women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and fully visible TZ. The current investigation was a retrospective study including women with fully visible TZ and CIN 3 cone histology between 2014 and 2019. The sample was divided into women with positive versus those with negative EM. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Finally, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was also used. A total of 123 of 517 women (23.8%) showed positive EM at conization. Multivariate analysis found a positive association with type 2 TZ (odds ratio [OR], 2.17 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-3.94]) and lesion extension ≥2 cervical quadrants (OR, 35.57 [95% CI, 17.96-70.45]). Cone depth was inversely related to positive EM (OR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.63-0.80]). In women with type 2 TZ and lesion extension ≥2 cervical quadrants, the cutoff value was achieved at 8-mm cone depth (area under the curve, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.67-0.90]). In women with high-grade CIN and fully visible TZ undergoing conization, the lesion extension and the TZ subtype (1 or 2) should be considered. A no less than 9-mm cone depth provided a fair predictive value in achieving free EM.

Risk factors predicting residual lesion in subsequent hysterectomy following cold knife conization (CKC) for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)

ObjectiveTo determine risk factors predicting residual lesion in a subsequent hysterectomy follow a cold knife conization (CKC) for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL).MethodBetween January 2010 and December 2021, a total of 740 patients who underwent a hysterectomy within 3 months after CKC for HSIL were included in this study. We analyzed their demographic features and pathological parameters. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between parameters and residual lesion in subsequent hysterectomy specimens.Results104 (14.1%) had residual lesion in the hysterectomy specimen, 3 patients with microinvasive carcinoma. The rate of residual lesion in patients with positive endocervical margin was 31.3%, with positive ectocervical margin was 15.3%, with positive combine margin was 38.6%. In multivariate analysis, positive margin (OR 4.015; 95% CI 2.526–6.381; P < 0.001), glandular involvement (OR 3.484; 95% CI 1.457–8.330; P = 0.005), HPV16/18 infection (OR 2.804; 95% CI 1.705–4.611; P < 0.001) and multiple HR-HPV infection (OR 1.813; 95% CI 1.130–2.909; P < 0.014) were independent risk factors for residual lesion. The AUC calculated by logistic regression model was 0.78.ConclusionPositive margin, positive glandular involvement, HPV16/18 and multiple HR-HPV infection were independent high risk factors of residual lesion in a subsequent hysterectomy following CKC for HSIL.

Relationship between positive margin and residual/recurrence after excision of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundThe relationship between endocervical and ectocervical margin status and residual or recurrence after cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) resection has been controversial. We investigated the relationship between the excision margins and residual/recurrence to assess indicators for the scope of resection and the risk of treatment failure by using meta-analysis.MethodsLiterature searches were performed in PubMed, Medline, Embase, Central, Wangfang and CNKI databases. Patients after CIN resection were grouped according to whether there was residual or recurrence, and the differences in exposure factors between the two groups were compared. Or they were grouped by exposure factor, and compare the differences in residual and recurrence rates under different grouping conditions. The observed outcome was postoperative residual or recurrence. The risk of bias in the literature was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The chi-square test were used for heterogeneity. Subgroup explored the sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test.ResultsA total of 11 studies were included in this study, 8 studies were at low risk of bias and 3 studies were at high risk of bias. The 11 studies included 3065 patients, 774 patients with positive margins and 2,291 patients with negative margins. The rate of residual/recurrence after excision of CIN in patients with positive margins was significantly higher than in patients with negative margins [odds ratio (OR) =3.99, P<0.00001]. There was no heterogeneity among the studies (P=0.16), with publication bias (P<0.05). The residual/recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with positive endocervical margins than in patients with negative endocervical margins (OR =2.59, P<0.00001). There was no heterogeneity among studies (P=0.78) and no publication bias (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in residual/recurrence rate between positive and negative ectocervical margins (OR =1.14, P=0.36). There was no heterogeneity among studies (P=0.32) and no publication bias (P<0.05).ConclusionsPositive endocervical margins, but not external cervical margins, are risk factors for residual/recurrence of CIN after resection. Close attention to the status of the endocervical margins is recommended. More aggressive treatment and frequent follow-up are needed for patients with positive endocervical margins.

Development of a Nomogram Predicting the Risk of Persistence/Recurrence of Cervical Dysplasia.

Background: Cervical dysplasia persistence/recurrence has a great impact on women’s health and quality of life. In this study, we investigated whether a prognostic nomogram may improve risk assessment after primary conization. Methods: This is a retrospective multi-institutional study based on charts of consecutive patients undergoing conization between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014. A nomogram assessing the importance of different variables was built. A cohort of patients treated between 1 January 2015 and 30 June 2016 was used to validate the nomogram. Results: A total of 2966 patients undergoing primary conization were analyzed. The median (range) patient age was 40 (18–89) years. At 5-year of follow-up, 6% of patients (175/2966) had developed a persistent/recurrent cervical dysplasia. Median (range) recurrence-free survival was 18 (5–52) months. Diagnosis of CIN3, presence of HR-HPV types, positive endocervical margins, HPV persistence, and the omission of HPV vaccination after conization increased significantly and independently of the risk of developing cervical dysplasia persistence/recurrence. A nomogram weighting the impact of all variables was built with a C-Index of 0.809. A dataset of 549 patients was used to validate the nomogram, with a C-index of 0.809. Conclusions: The present nomogram represents a useful tool for counseling women about their risk of persistence/recurrence after primary conization. HPV vaccination after conization is associated with a reduced risk of CIN2+.

Can We Reduce Overtreatment of Cervical High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions?

The aim was to evaluate the cytology, colposcopic, and pathological factors associated with the absence of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2-3 lesion on loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) specimens in women with high-grade cytology and/or HSIL/CIN 2-3 biopsy and the risk of disease persistence/recurrence. Two-center retrospective study of women undergoing LEEP for high-grade cervical disease between January 2014 and December 2019. Clinical, cytology, colposcopy, and pathology results were evaluated to identify independent predictive factors associated with CIN 1/negative LEEP results. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed. Follow-up data was evaluated to assess the risk of HSIL/CIN 2-3 persistence/recurrence. Six hundred thirty-nine of 801 women (79.8%) had high-grade cytology and 631 (78.8%) HSIL/CIN 2-3 biopsy. High-risk human papillomavirus test was positive in 98% of women. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure specimen showing CIN 1 or less was found in 27%-31%. Normal/low-grade colposcopy (odds ratio [OR] = 2.17, CI = 1.39-3.39, p = .001) and CIN 1/negative biopsy (OR = 3.25, CI = 2.12-4.99, p < .001) were predictors of negative/CIN 1 LEEP result in women with high-grade cytology. Normal/low-grade cytology (OR = 1.77, CI = 1.19-2.64, p = .005), normal/low-grade colposcopy (OR = 1.66, CI = 1.11-2.49, p = .013), and CIN 2 biopsy (OR = 2.75, CI = 1.73-4.39, p < .001) were predictors in women with HSIL/CIN 2-3 biopsy. Women with a negative/CIN 1 LEEP had lower recurrence/persistence than those with confirmed HSIL/CIN 2-3(1 vs 31, p = .002). Positive endocervical margin (OR = 2.85, CI = 1.10-7.36, p = .03) and high-risk human papillomavirus persistence (OR = 41.3, CI = 16-106.7, p < .01) were predictors of HSIL/CIN 2-3 persistence/recurrence. A CIN 1/negative LEEP specimen in women with high-grade cytology and/or HSIL/CIN 2-3 biopsy is associated with negative/low-grade cytology, normal/low-grade colposcopic findings and CIN 2 biopsy result before treatment. The HSIL/CIN 2-3 disease persistence/recurrence is low when LEEP specimen does not confirm HSIL/CIN 2-3.

Induction of total laparoscopic hysterectomy adopted the marionette technique in peri-menopausal and post-menopausal CIN3 patients

ObjectiveWhen performing cervical conization in post-menopausal cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3) patients, the positive rate of endocervical cone margin and the incidence of postoperative cervical stenosis increase. This study summarized a 4-year experience of total laparoscopic hysterectomy as a treatment option for peri-menopausal and post-menopausal CIN3 patients at a single institution. Furthermore, it shared the refinement strategies used during the surgery. MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of CIN3 patient aged ≥45 years and who underwent open or laparoscopic hysterectomy at our institution from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020. Totally, 30 CIN3 patients were enrolled and divided into abdominal hysterectomy group and laparoscopic hysterectomy based on surgery method, with 5 patients and 25 patients respectively.Results: Compared to the abdominal hysterectomy group, the perioperative blood loss (20 mL vs. 220 mL, p = 0.004) was less and the duration of in-hospital stay (7 d vs. 11 d, p < 0.001) were significantly shorter in the laparoscopic hysterectomy group. However, no significant differences in age at hysterectomy (53 y vs. 77 y, p = 0.054) and operative time (154.4 ± 27.8 min vs. 161.0 ± 62.4 min, p = 0.826) were observed between them. Diagnostic conization was performed in advance for 12 patients, and among them, 10 (83.3%) patients had positive endocervical cone margin. Postoperative intestinal obstruction was noted in one abdominal hysterectomy patient, no other complications were observed in the remaining patients. ConclusionCompared to conization, hysterectomy is more invasive; however, it is an acceptable treatment option for peri-menopausal and post-menopausal CIN3 patients. In such cases, opting for total laparoscopic hysterectomy adopted the marionette technique might be preferable because the procedure is less invasive.

Prevalence, Predictive Factors and Nomogram of Residual Disease Following Cervical Conization for Adenocarcinoma in Situ

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of residual disease after conization in AIS women, and to develop a nomogram for predicting residual disease in such patients. Methods: Eighty-three cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patient data concerning: demographic characteristics, colposcopic findings and diagnosis, type of conization, size of pathologic specimens, pathological characteristics, endocervical curettage (ECC) pathology and subsequent procedures, were collected. The rate of residual disease after conization and predictive factors for residual disease in subsequent hysterectomy were analyzed, and a predictive nomogram for residual disease was developed, based on the multivariate analysis results. The statistical significance was set at a p-value of &lt;0.05.Results: The prevalence of residual disease in hysterectomy specimens following conization was 31.8%. Five (5.7%) women with AIS, who underwent subsequent hysterectomy, were found to have invasive adenocarcinoma. According to the multivariate analysis results, the predictive factors for residual disease were a positive endocervical margin status [OR 22.5 (95% CI 4.74, 106.79)] and a depth of specimen of &lt; 8 mm [OR 8.11 (95% CI 1.12, 58.95)]. A nomogram for the prediction of residual disease in AIS women was developed, based on these predictive factors. After bootstrapping 1000 times, the bootstrap-corrected concordance index value for predicting residual disease was 0.852. Conclusion: The residual disease was found in 31.8% of hysterectomy specimens after conization for AIS. Residual disease was strongly associated with a positive endocervical margin and a depth of specimen of &lt;8 mm. This study reports a feasible nomogram, with an acceptable level of accuracy for predicting the individual risk of residual disease; which may be beneficial in proper management decision-making.&#x0D;

Comparison of Monopolar Electrosurgical Conization and the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure in the Management of High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion.

Objectives: To compare the performance and outcomes of monopolar electrosurgical conization (MESC) or the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in the treatment of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL).Methods: This retrospective study included 554 patients diagnosed with HSIL through biopsy. The study used either LEEP or MESC for cervical conization. Additionally, the medical records of these patients, including the basic information, status of the excision margin, cone depth, cone width, fragmentation, complication, and the results of a 6-month follow-up after conization, were reviewed.Results: Compared to MESC, LEEP had a significantly higher rate of positive endocervical margin (3.77 vs. 8.65%; p = 0.018), burn injury of the margin (4.90 vs. 10.38%; p = 0.016) and a lower rate of adequate cone depth (83.40 vs. 89.62%; p = 0.034). In addition, LEEP was significantly more likely to cause fragmentation (p = 0.000). There was, however, no significant difference in the rate of abnormal cervical cytology and positive high-risk HPV (hrHPV) between these two groups, 6 months after cervical conization.Conclusion: Both LEEP and MESC appeared to be equally effective in the clinical treatment of HSIL. Nonetheless, MESC resulted in a better pathological outcome with regard to the status of the margin, tissue fragmentation, and cone depth.

Clinicopathological Factors that Predict Endocervical Margin Involvement of CIN2+ after Cervical Conization Procedure in the Tertiary Center, Rajavithi Hospital, Thailand

Objective: To identify clinicopathological factors that predict endocervical margin involvement of CIN2+ after cervical conization. Methods: 464 patients undergoing LEEP at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, Thailand between January 2014 and June 2019 were analysed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups as a negative and positive endocervical margin of CIN2+. Clinical factors and the cyto-pathological characteristic were included. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify the risk factors predicted positive endocervical margin. Results: 150 (32.3%, 150/464) women had endocervical margin involvement of CIN2+. Mean age in positive endocervical margin group was significant older than negative endocervical margin group (47.8 ± 12.9 versus 40.8 ± 11.5 years old, p &lt;0.001). There are more significant post-menopausal women in positive endocervical margin group (p&lt;0.001). In positive endocervical margin group, there were significant higher grade on cervical cytology, higher grade on histology of LEEP specimen, and glandular involvement of LEEP specimen. In univariate analysis, age of ≥ 50 years old, post-menopausal status, ≥ HSIL on cervical cytology, and glandular involvement of LEEP specimens were independent risk factors for predicting endocervical margin involvement. Moreover, in multivariate analysis, age of ≥ 50 years old and glandular involvement of LEEP specimen show significant difference between two groups. In endocervical margin involvement of CIN2+ group has 2.84 (95% CI: 1.23-6.56, p = 0.015) and 2.41 (95% CI: 1.58-3.66, p &lt;0.01) times more age ≥ 50 years old and glandular involvement of LEEP specimen respectively. Conclusions: The age of ≥50 years old is the only pre-operative variable in this study. This finding is consistent with many previous studies. Therefore, performing LEEP in the women with the age of ≥50 years old should be aware the result of positive endocervical margin

Treatment Outcomes of Patients With Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia or Invasive Carcinoma Who Underwent Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure.

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cancer patients who underwent loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in terms of primary outcome and factors associated with persistence/recurrence.MethodsPatients with CIN or cancer who underwent LEEP from January 2007 to December 2015 were reviewed. Data collected were age, parity, menopausal status, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, smoking, cervical cytology, histopathology from cervical biopsy and LEEP including margin status, final histopathology, and follow-up data.ResultsThe mean age of 385 patients was 41.9 ± 10.8 years (range 18 - 79 years). Majority were multiparous (81.6%) and premenopausal (78.2%). There were 15.3% of patients with HIV infection. The most common cervical cytology was high-grade squamous cell intraepithelial lesion (HSIL, 44.1%), followed by atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ACS-US, 21%). Minor complications of bleeding or infection from LEEP were encountered in 7.3%. Among 153 patients (39.7%) who had positive margin(s), 43 underwent second LEEP, whereas 76 had hysterectomy. From all patients, 47 had failure after treatment (12.2%), being either persistence (30 patients; 7.8%) or recurrence (17 patients; 4.4%). Factors associated with persistence or recurrence by multivariate analysis were age ≥ 55 years old, HIV infection, final diagnosis of invasive cancer, and positive endocervical margin or both ecto- and endo- cervical margins.ConclusionsLEEP had low rate of persistence/recurrence. Age ≥ 55 years old, HIV infection, final diagnosis of cancer, and positive endocervical or both endo- and ecto- surgical margin(s) were significantly associated with persistent or recurrent diseases.

The effectiveness of cold-knife conization (CKC) for post-menopausal women with cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion: a retrospective study

BackgroundThe effectiveness of surgery of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in post-menopausal women needs to be investigated. This study evaluated the clinical significance of cold-knife conization in the diagnosis and surgery of cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in post-menopausal women.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of post- and pre-menopausal patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. All patients received cold-knife conization as the primary therapy.ResultsThe satisfactory rate of colposcopy was significantly lower in the post-menopausal group than in the pre-menopausal group (38.33 vs. 71.25%; χ2 = 36.202, P < 0.001). The overall positive margin rate of cold-knife conization (25.83 vs 12.50%; χ2 = 10.106, P = 0.001) and rate of positive endocervical cone margins (16.67 vs. 4.58%; χ2 = 14.843, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the post-menopausal group. Moreover, 49 post- and 60 pre-menopausal women underwent subsequent surgical treatment (40.83 vs. 25.00%). Residual rate of positive and negative margins in patients before and after menopause was significantly different (χ2 = 5.711, P = 0.017; χ2 = 12.726, P < 0.001, respectively). The recurrence rate in post-menopausal women remained 3.85%.ConclusionsCold-knife conization can be performed as a primary procedure for diagnosis and surgery of post-menopausal patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Sufficient deep excisions are necessary to avoid positive endocervical margins, which can reduce the residual and recurrence of postoperative lesions.

The treatment strategy of patients with positive margins after cervical cold knife conization-A 7-year retrospective study in China.

To explore treatment strategies for patients with positive margins after cervical cold knife conization (CKC) by estimating the risk of residual or recurrent CIN2 or worse (CIN2+). A retrospective study included 569 patients receiving CKC for CIN3 in Xiangya Hospital from January 2013 to December 2017. Demographic characteristics and test results were obtained before CKC, after CKC, at 6, 12, and 24months, then annually thereafter. The primary end point was residual/recurrent CIN2+ post-CKC. Fourteen (2.46%) patients had residual/recurrent CIN2+ with a median time of occurrence at 12months post-CKC. Taking the average age and hrHPV viral load tested by Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) as thresholds, the risk of residual/recurrent CIN2+ was higher in women aged over 40years or with a baseline HC2 of 300 or more for the ratio of relative light units to positive cut-off values. Patients with positive margins were at higher risk of residual/recurrent CIN2+ (hazard ratio 3.66, 95% confidence interval 1.25-10.71), especially when endocervix was involved. A total of 536 (94.20%) patients received HPV testing within 6months after CKC. Patients with both positive HPV testing results and positive margins were at the highest risk of residual/recurrent CIN2+. Patients with positive endocervical margins are at high risk for residual/recurrent CIN2+, independent of the severity of margins. HPV testing within 6months after CKC may be a feasible triage strategy for these patients.

Predictive Factors for Residual Disease After Conization in Cervical Cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate predictive factors for the presence of residual disease after conization followed by definitive surgery in cervical cancer, and suggest a margin distance threshold that could predict residual disease. We retrospectively analyzed a series of 42 patients with early-stage cervical cancer who underwent primary conization before definitive surgical treatment from March 2009 to May 2020. All conization specimens were reviewed for endocervical, ectocervical, and radial margins. Cases with residual disease in magnetic resonance imaging before definitive surgery were excluded. Thirty-three (78.6%) patients underwent hysterectomies and 9 (21.4%) trachelectomies ± lymph node staging. Twelve (28.6%) cases were stage IA1, 5 (11.8%) cases were stage IA2, 13 (31%) cases were stage IB1, 11 (26.2%) cases were stage IB2, and 1 (2.4%) case was stage IIIC1 [International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2019]. We found residual disease in 17 (40.4%) surgical specimens. Of the 20 patients with negative margins, there were still 3 (15%) cases with residual disease. Conversely, residual disease was identified in 14 (63.6%) of the 22 patients with positive cone margins (p = 0.001). Tumor size [odds ratio (OR) 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.33] and positive endocervical margin status (OR 33.6, 95% CI 3.85-293.3) were related to a higher risk of residual disease in multivariate analysis. Notably, all patients with tumors larger than 2cm had residual disease, in contrast to 29.4% in lesions up to 2 cm (p = 0.002). We found that tumor size and positive margin were predictive factors for residual disease. We could not suggest a reliable minimum margin distance threshold that could predict residual disease.

Is large loop excision of the transformation zone depth a risk factor for affected endocervical margins?

The aim of the study was to determine if the depth of large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) is a risk factor for presenting affected endocervical margins. A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed on 353 patients that underwent LLETZ after presenting cervical biopsies with CIN grade 2 and grade 3 or persistent CIN grade 1 at Hospital Universitario Santa Lucía, Cartagena, Spain, from November 2011 to December 2016. Automatized measurement of the LLETZ depth was performed in microns and added to cervical canal extensions when these were performed. Other variables studied in positive endocervical margins were age (under or over 35 years), premenopause/postmenopause, number of affected quadrants, CIN grading, the presence of HPV 16 before LLETZ, parity (nulliparous vs multiparous) and the location where the LLETZ was performed (operating room vs consultation room). Our multivariant analysis showed that LLETZ depth ≤ 10 mm did not increase the risk in affected endocervical margins (P = 0.366) and no statistically significant difference between the two groups (affected and nonaffected margins) was found. CIN grading and parity did prove a statistically significant association (P = 0.039 and P = 0.011, respectively). Age, menopause, number of affected quadrants, HPV 16 and the location did not show statistical association with positive endocervix margins. LLETZ depth equal to or lower than 10 mm was not proven to be a risk factor to have affected endocervical margins after the treatment. Therefore, higher LLETZ depth would not be justified to ensure oncological results.

What is the value of pre-surgical variables in addition to cone dimensions in predicting cone margin status?

ObjectivePrevious studies have shown associations between independent pre-conization variables (e.g. smoking, age, cytological grade, menopause) and positive or negative cone margins. However, it is not clear if these pre-surgical variables add predictive value to cone dimensions in the prediction of cone margin status. This study aimed to compare different models predicting positive ecto- or endocervical margins to assess whether pre-conization variables provide significant added value compared with cone dimensions alone. Study designOne hundred and sixty-one consecutive women with high-grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia on cone specimens were analysed retrospectively. The sample was divided into women with positive ecto- or endocervical cone margins and women with negative ecto- or endocervical cone margins. Pre-conization clinical features, cone volume and cone length were included among the study variables. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis was used to create different models predicting incomplete cervical excision. The added value of pre-conization predictors was measured with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve comparisons. ResultsFifty-seven (35.4 %) women had incomplete cervical excision. Multivariate analysis showed that a positive ectocervical margin was significantly associated with low-grade cervical cytology [odds ratio (OR) = 0.25, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.70] and cone length (OR = 0.69, 95 % CI 0.58–0.82, criterion <9 mm). The area under the curve (AUC) of the combined model for prediction of a positive ectocervical margin was 0.78 (95 % CI 0.70–0.84, p < 0.001). A positive endocervical margin was associated with cone length (OR=0.78, 95 % CI 0.65–0.93, criterion <9 mm) and age (OR=1.07, 95 % CI 1.02–1.11, criterion ≥45 years). The AUC of the combined model for prediction of positive endocervical margin was 0.75 (95 % CI 0.66–0.82, p < 0.001). Comparison of ROC curves showed that the addition of pre-conization variables to cone length did not yield significant predictive results for either ecto- or endocervical cone margins (p = 0.228 and 0.349, respectively). ConclusionsThe addition of pre-conization clinical variables to cone dimensions did not improve the prediction of cone margin status significantly in the study cohort. Among cone dimensions, cone length was the best predictor of come margin status.

Analysis of recurrence and its influencing factors in patients with cervical HSIL within 24 months after LEEP

Objective: To analyze clinical outcome of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) within 24 months after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), and to explore risk factors of recurrent cervical HSIL, the risk of progress into cervical cancer and methods of follow-up. Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 1 005 patients who underwent LEEP, diagnosing with HSIL after LEEP from January 2011 to December 2013 at Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University to confer the difference between non-recurrent group and recurrent group 24 months after the LEEP conization. Patients were followed with ThinPrep cytologic test (TCT), high risk HPV (HR-HPV) test, colposcopy guided biopsy. Results: A total of 1 005 cases were enrolled in this study with HSIL in the LEEP specimen, no residual HSIL in the 6-month follow up, and have follow up records in 24 months after LEEP. HSIL recurred in 5 cases, microinvasive carcinoma in 1 case, low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) in 17 cases at 12 months follow-up. HSIL recurred in 8 cases, LSIL in 11 cases, adenocarcinoma in situ in 1 case, and invasive cervical carcinoma in 1 case in Ⅰb1 stage at 24 months after LEEP. The recurrence rate was 1.3% (13/1 005) , and the progression rate was 0.3% (3/1 005) . There was no significant difference in age, length, circumference and width of LEEP between recurrent and non-recurrent patients (P>0.05) . The recurrence rate was highest in the endocervical positive margin group with 3/16, which was higher than ectocervical positive margin and negative margin (P<0.01, P=0.040, respectively). The recurrence rate of endocervical positive margin group and fibrous interstitial positive margin group showed no significant difference (P=0.320) . There was no significant difference between ectocervical positive margin and negative margin [2.8% (2/72) vs 0.7% (6/882), P=0.117]. Postoperative cytological examination combined with HR-HPV detection has a high sensitive and high negative predictor value of HSIL recurrence with both 100.0%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that positive endocervical positive margin, abnormal follow-up cytological examination and positive HR-HPV after LEEP were independent factors affecting recurrence of HSIL patients after LEEP (P<0.05). Conclusions: Age, length, circumference and width of LEEP have no effect on recurrence within 24 months after HSIL. The high risk factors for HSIL recurrence within 24 months after LEEP in HSIL patients include: positive HPV, abnormal cytology, and positive endocervical positive margin. Colposcopy biopsy and endocervical curettage have important role in diagnosing HSIL recurrence and progression.

Menopausal status is associated with a high risk for residual disease after cervical conization with positive margins.

BackgroundWe aimed to determine demographic and clinicopathological predictors for residual disease in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3) with endocervical cone margin involvement.Methods and findingsA cross-sectional study was conducted. The eligible patients were women who underwent hysterectomy as a treatment option after having a positive endocervical margin for CIN 2/3 in cervix conization specimens from 2000 to 2015. The patients were divided into two groups based on the persistence of CIN 2/3 and absence of CIN 2/3 in hysterectomy specimens. Demographic, clinical and histology information were collected in both groups. A total of 80 patients were eligible for the study; 37 (46.3%) had no persistence of CIN 2/3 and 43 (53.7%) had persistence of CIN 2/3 in the hysterectomy specimens. Demographic, clinical, and cone specimen characteristics, and a visible squamocolumnar junction and type of conization were analyzed as possible risk factors for the presence of residual lesions at hysterectomy, and none of these variables were associated with residual disease. Menopausal status was strongly associated with a high risk of persistent residual disease 81.2% (OR 4.9, CI 1.27–18.9), P = 0.014. In the multivariate analysis, only a menopausal status (P = 0.04) was associated with a high risk of persistent lesions.ConclusionThis analysis found that menopausal status exhibited an important association with persistent residual disease. Menopausal women with endocervical margin involvement exhibit a greater than 80% risk of persistent lesions.