Can indole-3-carbinol-induced changes in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia be extrapolated to other food components?

An alternative treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II, III

BACKGROUND

This report describes a case of a woman with progressive and recurrent cervical dysplasia 4 years after cervical conization for severe dysplasia.

PATIENT AND METHODS

A 20-year-old female was referred for colposcopy and biopsy following results of moderate to severe atypia of cervical cells on her Papanicolaou (Pap) test. Her colposcopy was satisfactory and her biopsy revealed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II, III. She refused the conventional recommendation of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and, as an alternative, elected to receive escharotic treatment at a frequency of 2 treatments per week for 5 weeks. In addition to the escharotic treatment she followed an oral vitamin and botanical protocol. She was followed for 5 years.

RESULTS

The patient's 4-month and 10-month follow-up Pap smears revealed negative cervical cytology for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy. Her 10-month colposcopy was satisfactory and no lesions were noted on the colposcopic exam. Liquid based Pap results continued to remain normal for 5 years after the initiation of treatment.

DISCUSSION

Escharotic treatment of high-grade cervical neoplasias with satisfactory colposcopy holds promise as an effective and low-risk alternative therapy to LEEP and other excisional procedures.