Delayed Diagnosis After Atypical Glandular Cells on Cervical Cytology

High-risk HPV testing in the management of atypical glandular cells: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Whereas the utility of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) testing is widely accepted in triage of women with atypical squamous lesions, its role in managing atypical glandular cells (AGC) is not fully elucidated. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the accuracy of hrHPV testing in the management of women with AGC to detect underlying high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or worse, and adenocarcinoma in situ or worse (AIS+). Additionally, the diagnosis of extra-cervical cancer was considered as an outcome in this review. A bibliographic database search (PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL) identified twelve eligible studies. The occurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade two or worse including AIS+ (CIN2+/AIS+), was 19.8% among women with AGC, and 55.7% among women with AGC and concurrent squamous lesions (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or worse, ASC-US+). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of hrHPV-testing with Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) to detect CIN2+/AIS+ in women with AGC was 90.0% (95% CI = 85.1-93.4%) and 75.1% (95% CI = 64.8-83.2%), respectively. Women who were hrHPV-negative, demonstrated an increased risk for extra-cervical malignancy (endometrium, fallopian tube, ovary). In women of 50y and older, a hrHPV-negative result was linked with a 18.0% chance of extra-cervical malignancy, while the chance of cervical pre-cancer and cancer was 0.4 and 0.0%, respectively. In conclusion, given the high risk of underlying CIN2+/AIS+, women with AGC should be referred directly to colposcopy. However, hrHPV test results in combination with the age, appears to improve the diagnostic process by distinguishing the risk for cervical versus non-cervical lesions.

Management of borderline change in endocervical cells: a more dependable approach

Background:

There are limited data and guidance from the UK on borderline nuclear change in endocervical cells (BNCs). The objective of this study is to determine the clinical outcome of women with BNCs, to determine the accuracy of colposcopy and propose a more robust management algorithm.

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of all BNC referrals between January 2006 and December 2011 at the Northumbria Healthcare Trust. Histological diagnosis was based on high-grade histology (CIN 2 or worse). Any high-grade histology in the first year of follow-up was included in the final diagnosis.

Results:

Of the 9001 new referrals, 167 women had BNCs. Thirty-seven (22%) were diagnosed with high-grade histology on initial assessment. Sixty women had satisfactory and negative colposcopy, out of which 7 (12%) were detected with high-grade histology/cytology in the first year of follow-up. Overall, 50 high-grade histology (30%), including two invasive carcinomas were detected.

Conclusions:

Current follow-up of BNCs relies heavily on colposcopic assessment. A significant proportion of women with negative colposcopy was found to have high-grade histology in the first year of follow-up. We propose a more robust management algorithm to lower the probability of missed high-grade histology in this subgroup of women.

Delayed diagnoses of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer after negative evaluation for atypical glandular cell pap smear: does age matter?

OBJECTIVE

At initial evaluation, 1 in 6 women with atypical glandular cells (AGCs) on Pap smear has cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cancer. Years later, a greater-than-expected incidence of "significant delayed diagnoses" has been reported in women who had negative initial evaluation results. This study aimed to test the premise that AGC represents a lesser future risk for CIN 2/CIN 3/carcinoma in situ (CIS) and cancer after negative evaluation results in a population diagnosed at a young age (<35 years).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cohort study consists of 43,000 community health center patients who had 83,542 Pap smears (1997-2010); 213 were diagnosed with AGC, and 117 met inclusion criteria. Completed evaluation was consistent with American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology guidelines without finding CIN 2/CIN 3/CIS or cancer. Follow-up lasted for longer than 1 year. Categorical data were evaluated with χ.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period that averaged for 85.3 months, the cohort had 4.5 mean Pap smears and reported 46 cytological diagnoses of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 3 diagnoses of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 10 repeated diagnoses of AGCs. Two CIN 2/CIN 3/CIS lesions, 1 cervical cancer, and 1 endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia were confirmed on biopsy. Average age of patients at index Pap smear was 34.2 years (range = 15-64 years). Compared with a published report where the average age at index Pap smear was 41.5 years, our cohort developed a total of 4.3% significant delayed diagnoses versus 10.8% (significant difference, p = .046).

CONCLUSIONS

During a 7-year follow-up, this cohort of 117 women with AGC and negative initial evaluation findings developed fewer significant delayed diagnoses than expected when compared with an older reported group and had no new extragynecological cancers. Age seems to be a risk factor for delayed diagnoses in patients with AGC.

The association of breast disease and atypical glandular cells on cervical cytology

OBJECTIVE

This study seeks to determine whether an association exists between atypical glandular cells (AGC) on cervical cytology and breast disease.

METHODS

We analyzed 470,147 Papanicolaou test results from January 1, 2002, to November 17, 2008, inclusive. We studied all cases of AGC versus a control group with normal Papanicolaou test results. The database was then searched to determine which of these women had a history of breast disease. A comparison of the prevalence of breast disease between the two groups was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 470,147 total Papanicolaou tests, 1,087 cases of AGC (0.23%) were identified from 1,026 women. There were 1,064 women comprising the normal population. The mean ± SD age of these two groups was 44.9 ± 13.7 and 41.6 ± 14.4 years, respectively. Among the women with an AGC on Papanicolaou testing, 40 (3.9%) had breast disease compared with 21 (2.0%) among those without an AGC on Papanicolaou testing (P = 0.009). Among the 40 women with an AGC on their Papanicolaou test and breast disease, 7 (17.5%) also had a concerning gynecologic (Gyn) pathologic finding at the level of the cervix, endocervix, or uterus. In comparison, the women with normal Papanicolaou test results had no Gyn pathologic findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of an abnormal Gyn pathologic finding in those with AGC is consistent with prior data. Women from this data set who have an AGC on Papanicolaou testing have a statistically higher likelihood of having concurrent breast disease. Further data are needed to elucidate the reason for this association.