The role of random cervical biopsies in addition to colposcopy-directed biopsies in detection of CIN2

Accuracy of colposcopy in the Swedish screening program

INTRODUCTION

Sensitivity and specificity of colposcopy vary greatly between studies and efficacy in clinical studies seldom corresponds with effectiveness in a real-life setting. It is unclear whether colposcopists' experience affects assessment; studies show divergent results. The study's objective was to investigate the accuracy of colposcopies in the Swedish screening program, the variability in colposcopists' assessments and whether degree of experience affects accuracy in a routine setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional register study. All colposcopic assessments with a concomitant histopathological sample from women aged at least 18 years, performed between 1999 and September 2020 in Sweden. The main outcome measure was accuracy. The accuracy of colposcopic assessments was calculated as overall agreement with linked biopsies, with three outcomes: Normal vs Atypical, Normal vs Low-Grade Atypical vs High-Grade Atypical, and Non-High-Grade Atypical vs High-Grade Atypical. A time-trend analysis was performed. The accuracy of identifiable colposcopists related to experience was analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 82 289 colposcopic assessments with linked biopsies were included for analysis of the outcome Normal vs Atypical; average accuracy was 63%. Overrating colposcopic findings was four times more common than underrating. No time trend in accuracy was noted during the study period. Accuracy in distinguishing High-Grade from Non-High-Grade lesions was better: 76%. Among identifiable colposcopists, overall accuracy was 67%. Some had significantly better accuracy than others, but no correlation with experience was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Colposcopy, including in a referral setting, has low accuracy in distinguishing Normal from Atypical. Increased experience alone does not lead to improvement. This is supported by the substantial differences in performance between colposcopists.

Prevalence of high-grade dysplasia in cytology-negative, HPV-positive cervical cancer screening

PURPOSE

This study has two aims: determine the prevalence of CIN3 + in patients with discordant cotesting, defined as negative cytology and positive human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, and identify factors (including HPV strain) associated with CIN3 + , defined as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3 or cancer within this population.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of women age 30-65 with intact cervices who had discordant cotesting results between January 1, 2013 and September 1, 2018, at an academic medical center. We used the t test for continuous variables and the Chi-square test for categorical variables to compare women with and without CIN3 + . To identify factors associated with CIN3 + , we performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The primary outcome was the prevalence of CIN3 + based on pathologic diagnosis following biopsy or excisional procedure. Among 375 patients with discordant co-testing, the mean age was 43.8 years, 58.4% were parous, and 84.8% were white. Overall, 43/375 (12.0%) had CIN3 + and 7/375 (1.9%) had AIS. On logistic regression, only parity ≥ 1 (p = 0.04, adjusted OR = 2.23, CI = 1.06-4.68) was significantly associated with CIN3 + . HPV-18 was less likely to be associated with CIN3 + (p = 0.02, adjusted OR 0.08, CI 0.01-0.65) but was present in 43% of AIS cases. HPV16 and other HR-HPV strains were highly associated with CIN3 + .

CONCLUSION

Women with discordant cotesting are at significant risk for CIN3 + . We recommend that biopsy be performed at the time of indicated colposcopy for all patients with discordant cotesting to assess for high-grade dysplasia.

Evaluation of Pre-malignant Lesions of the Uterine Cervix by Shear Wave Elastography: A New Diagnostic Tool

The objective of the study was to evaluate the difference in the stiffness between a healthy cervix (no pre-invasive lesions [NPILs]) and a cervix with a pre-invasive lesion (PIL). In the PIL group, we determined whether there was a difference in stiffness between the cervix with persistent low-grade lesions (>2 y, LSIL-persistent) and that with high-grade lesions (HSILs). Evaluation was performed using 2-D shear-wave elastography (SWE) in the midsagittal-plane of the uterine cervix (UC) at 0.5 cm (cervical canal, anterior and posterior cervical lips). In this prospective observational study (consecutive series), we evaluated 96 non-pregnant women: a group with PIL (LSIL-persistent, 22 cases; HSIL, 26 cases) with indications for cervical conization (48 cases) and a group without UC pathology (NPIL, 48 cases). Although we did not observe statistically significant differences (SSDs) in epidemiological characteristics, we did find an SSD in the speed and stiffness between the PIL versus NPIL groups at all evaluated depths (speed: 4.1 m/s vs 3.0 m/s, stiffness: 58.6 and 34.5kPa in the PIL and NPIL groups, respectively, p < 0.001). An SSD in speed and stiffness (speed: 4.9 m/s vs. 3.2 m/s, and stiffness: 76.1 and 38.0 kPa) between the HSIL (26 cases) and LSIL-persistent (22 cases) groups, respectively, was also detected (p < 0.001). The area under the curve of speed differentiation between a cervix with HSILs and without lesions was 73.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 63.1-83.7), and the best cutoff of speed was 3.25 m/s (sensitivity = 62.5%, 95% CI: 47.3-76.0), with a specificity of 75.5% (95% CI: 60.4-87.1).

Value of multi-quadrants biopsy: Pooled analysis of 11 population-based cervical cancer screening studies

OBJECTIVE

The accuracy of colposcopy-guided biopsy is key to the success of colposcopic triage in cervical cancer screening programs. However, there is no widely adopted biopsy guideline up to date. Our study aimed to determine whether multi-quadrants biopsy improves the yield of cervical lesions.

METHODS

Eleven population-based cervical cancer screening studies were conducted in China. Cytology, high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing and visual inspection were performed for primary screening. Females positive on one or more tests were referred for colposcopy and biopsy. The proportion of detected cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)2+ and yields by quadrant lesion-targeted biopsy or 4-quadrant random biopsy were compared.

RESULTS

Among 4,923 females included, 1,606 had quadrant lesion-targeted biopsy, and 3,317 had 4-quadrant random biopsy. The cumulative CIN2+ yield increased from 0.10 for only one quadrant-targeted biopsy to 0.21, 0.34, and 0.58 for at most two, three and four quadrants targeted biopsies. Among hrHPV positive females with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)+ cytology, the cumulative CIN2+ yield of a second targeted biopsy in another quadrant was significantly increased (P<0.05). Among hrHPV-negative females, the yield of 4-quadrant random biopsies was 0.005, and the yield by lesion-targeted biopsies was 0.017. For hrHPV positive females who had 4-quadrant random biopsy, the additional CIN2+ yield for HSIL+, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cytology, or abnormal visual inspection via acetic acid and Lugol's iodine (VIA/VILI) were 0.46, 0.11, 0.14.

CONCLUSIONS

A 4-quadrant random biopsy is recommended only for hrHPV positive females with HSIL cytology, and is acceptable if hrHPV positive with LSIL cytology or with abnormal VIA/VILI. Our findings add evidences for an objective and practical biopsy standard to guide colposcopy in cervical cancer screening programs in low- and middle-income countries.