Selecting Patients for Endocervical Curettage

Evaluation of colposcopy after the addition of human papillomavirus testing to the Turkish cervical cancer screening program

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate colposcopy performance following the human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA screening program in Turkey.

METHODS

Women aged 30-65 years are screened for cervical cancer every 5 years, with individuals positive for HPV 16 and/or 18 or other high-risk HPV types with abnormal cytology referred for colposcopy. Both HPV test and cytology are obtained at the same visit. If HPV is negative, cytology will not be assessed. However, if HPV is positive, both cytology and HPV genotyping will be performed. Colposcopy-require was defined as HPV 16/18 positivity or abnormal smear results with any hrHPV positivity, and the remaining patients (normal smear with hrHPV positivity other than HPV 16/18) were grouped as colposcopy non-required. National data on colposcopy outcomes and unnecessary performance rates in February 2018-2019 were evaluated via a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 9808 patients were included, divided based on colposcopy requirement: 5751 (58.6%) patients required colposcopy and 4057 (41.4%) did not. Unnecessary colposcopy was performed on 90.1% of the non-required group (3657 of 4057 patients). In the colposcopy-required group, 4455 patients (79.9%) underwent punch biopsy; 3194 (57.1%), endocervical curettage (ECC); and 421 (7.5%), "see and treat" in the non-required group, the results were 2790 (76.3%), 1957 (53.2%), and 211 (5.7%), respectively. A total of 746 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)-3 isolates were detected, including 702 using existing screening and triage with 94.1% sensitivity (702/746). Multiple biopsies were taken in 69.8% (n = 3110) of patients from the colposcopy-required group and 63.7% (n = 1777) from the non-required group. The ECC samples included 19 cervical cancers and 212 ≥CIN-3 lesions in the colposcopy-required group, and four cancers and 41 ≥CIN-3 lesions in the non-required group. The proportion of ≥CIN-3 lesions detected by ECC only was 4.7% (35 of 746 ≥CIN-3 lesions).

CONCLUSION

Our results showed high rates of unnecessary colposcopies, and a high percentage of multiple and random punch biopsies and ECC.

Additional role of ECC in the detection and treatment of cervical HSIL

Objective

To probe into the additional role of ECC in the detection of cervical HSIL. The primary objective was to risk-stratify HSIL patients according to ECC so as to provide clinical suggestions for subsequent treatment.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of medical records for patients with HSIL. All patients underwent both ECC and cervical biopsy. According to the results of colposcopic targeted biopsy and ECC, the patients were divided into three groups: (1) ECC negative group (those whose colposcopic targeted biopsy indicated HSIL, but ECC indicated LSIL or chronic inflammation); (2) Only the ECC positive group (those whose ECC suggested HSIL, but colposcopic targeted biopsy showed LSIL or chronic inflammation); (3) ECC and biopsy positive group (those whose ECC and targeted biopsy were both HSIL). Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences of lesion residue and biopsy results after LEEP amongst the three groups.

Results

A total of 1,146 medical records were analyzed. The diagnostic accuracy of ECC combined with colposcopic targeted biopsy for HSIL was higher than that of colposcopic biopsy alone (72.43% vs. 67.54%). When ECC indicated HSIL, the coincidence rate of ECC combined with colposcopic targeted biopsy and the histological pathology of LEEP was 86.25%, and the proportion of residual lesions after LEEP was 41.43%. When ECC and targeted biopsy both indicated HSIL, HSIL or worse lesions were confirmed in 90.68% of patients after surgery. Of these, 10.77% were confirmed as cervical invasive carcinoma. Moreover, the positive rate of LEEP resection margin and postoperative ECC in these patients was 43.48%.

Conclusion

ECC can improve the detection rate of cervical HSIL and reduce missed diagnosis. Also ECC can help clinicians predict the proportion of residual lesions after LEEP. This provides the gynecologists with a reference for the need to increase the depth of the procedure and the need to perform ECC for the residual cervical canal.

Impact of a Modified HistoGel Method for Processing Endocervical Curettage Specimens on Diagnostic Yield

OBJECTIVES

Endocervical curettage (ECC) specimens may be limited by scant tissue. We evaluated whether a cellular concentration processing method could improve their diagnostic quality.

METHODS

Between October 2018 and June 2019, ECC specimens were assigned chronologically to one of two groups: nonconcentrated ECC (NECC) or concentrated ECC (CECC). NECC specimens underwent routine histologic processing. CECC specimens were processed using a published HistoGel-based cell block method. We reviewed diagnoses for ECCs, concurrent cervical biopsies and/or loop electrosurgical excision procedures (LEEPs), and preceding Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses to evaluate the impact of processing method on ECC adequacy and discordance between Pap smear and worst tissue diagnoses.

RESULTS

NECC and CECC adequacy was 88.2% and 84.7% (P = .06). ECC adequacy was greater if concurrent biopsy/LEEP was performed (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76, P < .01). Discordance between Pap smear and worst tissue diagnoses was 9.5% and 13.3% (P = .04) for cases with NECC and CECC processing, although processing method was not significant in multivariate analysis (OR = 0.74, P = .11). Adequate ECC sampling and concurrent biopsy/LEEP were independently associated with concordance between Pap smear and worst tissue diagnosis (OR = 0.46, P < .01 and OR = 0.65, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

ECC processing method did not significantly affect either specimen adequacy (P = .06) or diagnostic discordance (P = .11) when controlled for other factors.

Role of ThinPrep liquid-based cytology in evaluation of the endocervical canal in patients with abnormal cervical screening

INTRODUCTION

Endocervical sampling is frequently used as an adjunct to colposcopy. Few studies address the role of endocervical brushing (ECB) with liquid-based cytology (LBC) for evaluation of the endocervical canal. We assessed the roles of ThinPrep (TP) LBC of ECB specimens and cell blocks (CBs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pathology archives were searched for ECB specimens from 2010-2015. Preceding Papanicolaou test interpretation, human papillomavirus status, concurrent and follow-up surgical specimens, and ECB diagnoses were recorded. CB cellularity, when available, was scored on a scale of 0 to 4. The cellularity of the TP and CBs was compared.

RESULTS

Of 365 ECB cases, 6 (1.6%) were insufficient for diagnosis, compared with a 5% rate for endocervical curettings. Eleven ECB cases (3%) showed low cellularity. Of the 241 (66%) cases with concurrent biopsies, the ECB diagnosis agreed with the biopsy diagnosis (within 1 grade) in 198 (82%) cases. In 9 (2.5%) cases, ECB was the only means of diagnosis of a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion / adenocarcinoma in situ confirmed on follow-up. Compared with TP LBC, the CBs (performed in 84 [23%] of cases) were of greater cellularity in 30 (42%) and of equal cellularity in 17 (24%). None of the CBs showed an additional epithelial abnormality missed in TP LBC.

CONCLUSIONS

TP LBC is capable of detecting endocervical epithelial abnormalities and may be used as a substitute for endocervical curettings. Performing a CB did not lead to detection of additional abnormalities, although it complemented TP findings and facilitates the performance of ancillary studies.

Diagnosis of Cervical Precancers by Endocervical Curettage at Colposcopy of Women With Abnormal Cervical Cytology

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the performance of routine endocervical curettage (ECC) for diagnosing high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or worse and additional precancers not otherwise detected by ectocervical biopsies.

METHODS

In a secondary analysis of the Biopsy Study, a cross-sectional study conducted between 2009 and 2012 at the University of Oklahoma Health and Sciences Center that found an incremental increase in detection of cervical precancers by multiple biopsies at colposcopy, ECC was performed in most women aged 30 years or older. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or worse yield by ECC alone was evaluated in analyses stratified by cervical cytology (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASC-US] or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions [LSIL] compared with atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions [ASC-H] or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions [HSIL] or worse), colposcopic impression (less than high-grade compared with high-grade), human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 infection status, whether the examination was satisfactory, and by ECC indications per the current guidelines for cervical cancer screening. The diagnostic value of ECC for detecting additional disease was evaluated by the number of lesion-directed ectocervical biopsies.

RESULTS

Of the 204 women aged 30 years or older, 181 (88.7%) underwent ECC. Overall ECC detected 14.4% CIN 2 or worse (95% CI 10.0-20.2%). Endocervical curettage was more likely to find disease in the endocervix among women with high-grade cytology, positive HPV-16 infection, or high-grade colposcopic impressions (respective P values <.05). Among women with ASC-US or LSIL cytology, those with an unsatisfactory examination had a 13.0% CIN 2 or worse yield on ECC (95% CI 6.1-25.7); when colposcopic examination was normal or satisfactory with visible abnormal lesions, ECC detected less than 5% CIN 2 or worse in the endocervix. An ASC-H or HSIL or worse cytology was associated with a CIN 2 or worse yield of 25.8% by ECC (95% CI 16.6-37.9%). However, ECC found only 3.9% (95% CI 1.9-7.8%) additional CIN 2 or worse beyond the cumulative disease detected by up to four biopsies of visible acetowhite ectocervical lesions. Additional CIN 2 or worse yield by ECC increased when fewer lesion-directed biopsies were taken (P<.05).

CONCLUSION

The additional yield of CIN 2 or worse by ECC in a colposcopy with up to four ectocervical biopsies was low. Based on our findings, we recommend routine ECC be performed in women aged 45 years old or older with HPV-16 infection and in any woman aged 30 years or older with HSIL or worse or ASC-H cytology, high-grade colposcopic impression, or ASC-US or LSIL cytology and an unsatisfactory examination.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00339989.

Pooled analysis on the necessity of random 4-quadrant cervical biopsies and endocervical curettage in women with positive screening but negative colposcopy

Controversy remains over whether random cervical biopsies and endocervical curettage (ECC) should be used in women with positive screening but negative colposcopy. Our paper aims to determine the indications for random biopsies and ECC among these screened positive women.Three thousand two hundred thirteen women with any positive screening test result but negative colposcopy, who received random 4-quadrant biopsies, were pooled from 17 population-based cervical cancer screening studies done in China from 1999 to 2008. The detection rates of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) and CIN grade 3 or worse (CIN3+) stratified by cytology and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) status were assessed, as well as the false negative rates for CIN2+ and CIN3+ by random biopsies without ECC.Compared with women with negative cytology and positive HR-HPV, those with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance/low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-US/LSIL) and negative HR-HPV had the equivalent lower risks of CIN2+ and CIN3+, but ascending risks were observed in the groups of ASC-US/LSIL and positive HR-HPV, and atypical glandular cells/atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (AGC/ASC-H/HSIL+). If random biopsies were only taken without ECC, 9.3% of CIN2+ and 18.5% of CIN3+ would have been missed.For women with any positive screening but negative colposcopy, in areas with good cytological infrastructure, it was necessary to perform random biopsies plus ECC on those with cytological ASC-US/LSIL and positive HR-HPV, AGC, ASC-H, or HSIL+. In contrast, those with other results should be followed up.