Completeness of excision and follow up cytology in patients treated with loop excision biopsy

Invasive cervical cancer after treatment of CIN

INTRODUCTION

A historical audit of 30 post-treatment cervical cancers (10% of 289 cancers, 1999-2016) compared with a one-year-equivalent control group treated for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3 (n = 164).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared history and follow up of cancer patients and controls and reviewed initial excision biopsies preceding cancer and, in 41% of controls, high-grade recurrence (n = 17) or consistently negative follow-up (n = 51).

RESULTS

Either abnormal post-excision cytology without high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) tests or immediate re-excision was recorded in 70% (19 of 27) of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Negative investigations including cytology, colposcopy, re-excision, hysteroscopy, hrHPV, and/or treatment default were recorded in 83% (25 of 30) of all cancers. The mean interval between initial excision and cancer diagnosis was 79.8 ± 30.1 months versus 11.2 ± 30.1 months for CIN3 recurrence. Eight, 13, and 9 patients with cancer had initial excision at age 20-34, 35-49, and 50+ years, respectively, compared with 71%, 23%, and 5% of controls. CIN3 more often preceded SCC than CIN2 (22:1); 5 of 30 initial excisions were originally reported as negative after severe dyskaryosis. No SCC or CIN3 recurrence followed complete excision. Depth of CIN3 2+ mm (20 of 82 reviewed) was strongly associated with cancer/high-grade recurrence or early stromal invasion on review (18 of 20; 90%). Discrepancies were found on review in 10% of biopsies and as occasional abnormal cells in 9 of 34 cytology slides.

CONCLUSIONS

Residual disease may be inconspicuous or absent on cytology, colposcopy, and/or histology. Management taking account of risk of recurrence (age, CIN3 depth, incomplete initial excision) could avoid some post-treatment cancers.

Barriers and facilitators of follow-up among women with precancerous lesions of the cervix in Cameroon: a qualitative pilot study

Purpose

This pilot study explores the barriers to adherence to follow-up among women with cervical precancer in urban Cameroon. While follow-up of women with a positive screening of cervical precancer is the most important aspect of cervical cancer secondary prevention, women with cervical precancer do not adhere frequently to recommended follow-up schedule in Cameroon. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the barriers and facilitators to follow-up for cervical precancer among women infected and uninfected with HIV in Cameroon.

Participants and methods

A qualitative research design was used to answer the research questions. Participants included eight HIV-infected and -uninfected women diagnosed with cervical precancer and 19 nurses. Data were collected by in-depth individual patient interviews and focus groups with nurses. An interview guide with open-ended questions, using the social ecological model as a framework, included questions that addressed the complexities of the lives of individuals and professionals within a relational context. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim in English language. Thematic analysis of data was completed with no epistemological or theoretical perspective underpinning the analyses.

Results

Four major themes emerged from the study. They were clinic, personal, and social barriers, and strategies to improve follow-up.

Conclusion

The use of reminder phone calls and fee reduction, coupled with peer counseling and navigation of women who have been diagnosed with cervical precancer, could be effective ways of improving adherence to follow-up. Further research is needed to explore the same phenomenon among women in rural areas, especially those who were initially attended to in mobile clinics.

Real-time in-vivo microscopic imaging of the cervix using confocal laser endomicroscopy: preliminary observations and feasibility study

Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) enables in-vivo, real-time, imaging of tissues with a micron-scale resolution through a fiber optic probe. CLE could be a valuable tool for the detection and characterization of suspicious (dysplastic) areas on the uterine cervix in a minimally invasive manner. This study evaluates the technical feasibility and safety of CLE on the cervix. The study also aims to create a preliminary iconography of normal and dysplastic squamous and columnar cervical epithelium. In-vivo CLE was performed on nine patients scheduled for a cervical loop electric excision procedure for high-grade superficial intraepithelial lesions. The CLE images were compared with standard hematoxylin and eosin analysis of loop electric excision procedure specimens. The histopathological diagnosis on the surgical specimen was established as per standard of care. CLE images were then reviewed by pathologists to point out specific histopathological features. pCLE of the exocervix and the transformation zone was performed successfully on seven out of nine patients. Uninterpretable images were obtained in two other cases: one using the AlveoFlex and one using the GastroFlex UHD after the application of acetic acid 2%. A total of 82.5% of the sequences recorded with the GastroFlex were suitable for interpretation. No adverse event or complications occurred. CLE enables proper in-vivo imaging of healthy and dysplastic cervical tissue. Images correlate well with the histopathological features established through traditional histology. Future blinded prospective analysis will determine the reliability of the real-time diagnosis and its potential use in the assessment and treatment of cervical lesions.

Low recurrence rate of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after successful excision and routine colposcopy during follow-up

The aim of the present cohort study was to assess the long-term (follow-up period up to 22 years) recurrence rate of preinvasive disease and the newly detected invasive disease rate in a cohort of women treated with excisional methods for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Women treated with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) and cold knife conization (CKC) for histologically proven high-grade CIN were followed up for up to 22 years. Surgical specimens underwent histological examination and the status of endocervical as well as ectocervical margins was recorded. Follow-up protocol included conventional Pap test, colposcopy and pelvic examination at 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial treatment, and every 12 months thereafter, provided that the results were normal. In case of high-grade cytological findings and/or atypical colposcopic impression, multiple punch biopsies were taken in order to verify or exclude recurrent disease.In total, 804 women were followed for a mean time of 77.1 months (range: 6-266). LLETZ was used in 569 (70.7%) and CKC in 235 cases (29.2%). No woman developed invasive cervical cancer. Recurrent high-grade disease, developed in 9 women (1.1%, 95% confidence interval 0.5-2.2). Median treatment-to-recurrence time was 46.5 months (range: 6-235.3). One woman treated for squamous CIN2 on clear margins developed adenocarcinoma in situ 59.2 months post-treatment.Women having undergone excisional treatment for high-grade CIN indicate a very low risk for recurrent disease and potentially negligible risk for invasive cancer, provided that a strict and vigorous follow-up is offered after treatment.

Incomplete excision of cervical precancer as a predictor of treatment failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Incomplete excision of cervical precancer is associated with therapeutic failure and is therefore considered as a quality indicator of clinical practice. Conversely, the risk of preterm birth is reported to correlate with size of cervical excision and therefore balancing the risk of adequate treatment with iatrogenic harm is challenging. We reviewed the literature with an aim to reveal whether incomplete excision, reflected by presence of precancerous tissue at the section margins, or post-treatment HPV testing are accurate predictors of treatment failure.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk of therapeutic failure associated with the histological status of the margins of the tissue excised to treat cervical precancer. We estimated the accuracy of the margin status to predict occurrence of residual or recurrent high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade two or worse (CIN2+) and compared it with post-treatment high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. We searched for published systematic reviews and new references from PubMed-MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL and did also a new search spanning the period Jan 1, 1975, until Feb 1, 2016. Studies were eligible if women underwent treatment by excision of a histologically confirmed CIN2+ lesion, with verification of presence or absence of CIN at the resection margins; were tested by cytology or HPV assay between 3 months and 9 months after treatment; and had subsequent follow-up of at least 18 months post-treatment including histological confirmation of the occurrence of CIN2+. Primary endpoints were the proportion of positive section margins and the occurrence of treatment failure associated with the marginal status, in which treatment failure was defined as occurrence of residual or recurrent CIN2+. Information about positive resection margins and subsequent treatment failure was pooled using procedures for meta-analysis of binomial data and analysed using random-effects models.

FINDINGS

97 studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis and included 44 446 women treated for cervical precancer. The proportion of positive margins was 23·1% (95% CI 20·4-25·9) overall and varied by treatment procedure (ranging from 17·8% [12·9-23·2] for laser conisation to 25·9% [22·3-29·6] for large loop excision of the transformation zone) and increased by the severity of the treated lesion. The overall risk of residual or recurrent CIN2+ was 6·6% (95% CI 4·9-8·4) and was increased with positive compared with negative resection margins (relative risk 4·8, 95% CI 3·2-7·2). The pooled sensitivity and specificity to predict residual or recurrent CIN2+ was 55·8% (95% CI 45·8-65·5) and 84·4% (79·5-88·4), respectively, for the margin status, and 91·0% (82·3-95·5) and 83·8% (77·7-88·7), respectively, for high-risk HPV testing. A negative high-risk HPV test post treatment was associated with a risk of CIN2+ of 0·8%, whereas this risk was 3·7% when margins were free.

INTERPRETATION

The risk of residual or recurrent CIN2+ is significantly greater with involved margins on excisional treatment; however, high-risk HPV post-treatment predicts treatment failure more accurately than margin status.

FUNDING

European Federation for Colposcopy and Institut national du Cancer (INCA).

Risk Factors for Incomplete Excision after Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) in Abnormal Cervical Cytology

Objective:

To investigate the risk factors related to incomplete excision after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in abnormal cervical cytology.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study was performed during September 2010 to February 2017. The study population was patients with abnormal cervical cytology who treated by LEEP at Prapokklao hospital, Chanthaburi. From the medical records, data were collected include age, menopausal status, parity, body mass index, HIV infection, history of smoking, cervical cytology and characteristics of LEEP histopathology such as number of specimen, size and glandular involvement. Risk factors were investigated using multivariable risk ratio from risk ratio regression.

Result:

Five hundred cases of LEEP were done during this period and 322 cases were analyzed. Complete excision of the LEEP specimens found nearly half of the cases (46.9%). Multiple pieces of specimen was the risk factor for incomplete excision of LEEP (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.58; P = 0.013).

Conclusion:

The number of specimen from LEEP more than one piece was the risk factor for incomplete excision. Alternative methods such as cold knife conization (CKC), needle excision of the transformation zone (NETZ) or contoured loop excision of the transformation zone (C-LETZ) should be justified when all lesions could not be operated by single sweep.

Factors associated with the persistence/recurrence of CIN2/3 in women submitted to loop electrosurgical excision procedure in a teaching hospital in northeastern Brazil: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with the persistence/recurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 in women submitted to loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in a hospital in northeastern Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study included 50 women with and 50 women without persistence/recurrence of CIN2/3 after LEEP at the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP) between 2004 and 2011. Data were collected from June to December 2011. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of CIN2/3 during follow-up (cases) and women free of CIN2/3 after a follow-up of 2 years or longer (controls). Exclusion criteria (cases/controls) were LEEP performed at another hospital, LEEP performed for persistent CIN1, invasive carcinoma in the cone specimen or at cytology, and/or histopathology within a 2-year follow-up period. Persistence was defined as residual disease detected in the first year after LEEP, and recurrence was defined as the reappearance of a lesion more than 1 year after surgery. Bivariate analysis was performed for biological, sociodemographic, sexual, reproductive, lifestyle, and clinical variables. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to control for potential confounding factors. The study was approved by IMIP's internal review board.

RESULTS

Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between persistence/recurrence of CIN2/3 and living outside the capital city (OR=3.11, 95% CI=1.14-8.41), smoking (OR=4.22, 95% CI=1.18-15.05), and positive endocervical margins (OR=6.58, 95% CI=2.37-18.28).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with persistence/recurrence of CIN2/3 are more likely to live outside the state capital, be smokers, and have positive endocervical margins, so these women should be followed up more closely.

Treatment options for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions

The introduction of testing for high-risk HPV types and P16 immunostaining of CIN2 histologic specimens allows for determination of the risk of progression versus regression for a woman with a particular cytologic or histologic specimen. Observation with serial cytological or colposcopic examinations is now appropriate for women with low-grade histologic lesions as well as pregnant and young women with certain high-grade histologic lesions. Current recommendations for management of high-grade lesions, the efficacy of treatment options (cryotherapy and LEEP), and the immediate (bleeding, infection) and longer term complications (cervical incompetence, preterm delivery) of cervical dysplasia treatment are presented.

Minimal cold knife conization height for high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion treatment

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relationship between cold-knife conization specimen height, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN II/III) size and endocervical margin involvement by CIN II/II.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was performed. Cold knife cone specimens with a diagnosis of CIN II/III were selected. Epidemiological data and pathology reports were obtained through a chart review. All samples from each cone specimen showing CIN II/III and the squamocolumnar junction were selected. Cone height (mean ± standard deviation), intraepithelial lesion size, and size of endocervical surgical margins were measured.

RESULTS

Four hundred and forty-seven samples were analyzed from 97 cone specimens. Section size ranged from 3.4 to 29.7 mm, tumor size from 0.3 to 17.5mm, and tumor distance from the endocervical margin, from 0.0 to 22.0mm. Age and parity were similar in the positive vs. negative margin groups (37.6 ± 10.0 years vs. 37.7 ± 11.9 years respectively, p=0.952, and 2.2 ± 1.7 births vs. 2.6 ± 1.9 births respectively, p=0.804), whereas cone height (22.4 ± 6.9 mm vs. 17.1 ± 5.6mm, p=0.013) and tumor size (6.12 ± 3.25 mm vs. 10.6 ± 4.45 mm, p<0.001) were significantly different in negative vs. positive margin groups respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of cone height to identify the likelihood of negative margins enables better estimation of the risk-benefit ratio of greater risks of bleeding, stenosis, and obstetric complications (cervical incompetence) versus greater risks of residual and recurrent disease.

Number of fragments, margin status and thermal artifacts of conized specimens from LLETZ surgery to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) is a nontraumatic cut and coagulation method with several advantages, but it induces thermal artifacts in the cut region. The aim here was to assess the correlations of age, number of fragments, lesion grade and degree of thermal artifacts with margin quality in conized specimens from LLETZ for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional study at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp).

METHODS

The records and histopathology findings of 118 women who underwent LLETZ between 1999 and 2007 were reviewed. Age, number of fragments, lesion grade, degree of thermal artifacts and margin quality were assessed.

RESULTS

The patients' mean age was 27.14 years; 63.6% had been diagnosed with CIN II and 36.4% with CIN III. The lesion was removed as a single fragment in 79.6% of the cases. The margins were free from intraepithelial neoplasia in 85.6% and compromised in the endocervical margin in 6.8%. Fragment damage due to artifacts occurred in 2.5%. Severe artifacts occurred in 22.8%. Women aged 30 years or over presented more cases of CIN III (P < 0.0004). Neoplastic compromising of surgical margins and severe artifacts occurred more often in cases in which two or more fragments were removed, and in patients aged 30 years or over.

CONCLUSION

CIN III in women aged 30 or over, when removed in two or more fragments during LLETZ, presented a greater number of compromised margins and greater severity of thermal artifacts.

Multiple levels on LLETZ biopsies do not contribute to patient management

AIM

Cervical large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) specimens are performed both to treat and to diagnose or exclude cervical pre-neoplasia. Examination of these specimens forms a significant part of the routine histological work load of the pathologist, yet histological confirmation of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) or completeness of excision, does not alter the treatment of SIL. When the LLETZ procedure is done, the treatment is complete, the dysplasia having been subject to excision as well as diathermy during the procedure.

METHOD

In this study, records of 1139 women who underwent LLETZ treatment for SIL were examined. The grade of SIL present and the margin status were extracted from histology reports and linked to post-LLETZ follow-up cytology and histology, for a period of 2 years.

RESULTS

SIL recurrence in women with high grade (HG-SIL), low grade SIL (LG-SIL) and normal LLETZ biopsy results was not significantly different. There was no significant difference between the recurrence rates of HG-SIL and LG-SIL with SIL at margins compared to SIL clear of margins.

DISCUSSION

Pathologists spend significant time examining multiple levels of LLETZ biopsies, grading SIL, determining margins and trying to find SIL in 'normal' LLETZ biopsies. None of this affects the subsequent follow-up. The most useful data the pathologist can provide is whether invasion is present or not. Pathological effort should be directed to examining multiple levels of those with HG-SIL to find invasion, rather than spending time looking at multiple levels of normal or LG-SIL LLETZ biopsies.

Determinants of success in treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

OBJECTIVE

To determine the important factors affecting the long-term failure rate of treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

DESIGN

Multivariate analysis of prospectively collected clinical data.

SETTING

Colposcopy clinic in a university teaching hospital.

POPULATION

A total of 2455 consecutive women treated for CIN for the first time between 1 January 1989 and 31 December 2004 using excisional techniques.

METHODS

The data were obtained from a clinical database into which information had been entered prospectively. Data on community follow-up were obtained from the national Exeter database of cervical screening results. The parameters studied were age, parity, severity of the lesion, extent to which the lesion involved the endocervical canal, seniority of the surgeon, type of treatment, anaesthesia used, dimensions of the treatment biopsy specimen, number of treatment biopsy fragments and completeness of excision.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

High-grade post-treatment cervical disease detected by biopsy or cytology.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis eliminated several potential factors and identified interactions between some factors. Multivariate analysis identified the grade of disease (P < 0.001) and the extent to which the lesion involved the endocervical canal (P =0.008) as the most important determinants of high-grade post-treatment disease. Of the factors which the surgeon could control, depth of biopsy (P =0.002) and completeness of excision (P = 0.007) were the most important.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that clear margins are important to reduce the failure rate of excisional treatment for CIN. An adequate depth of treatment is important when the lesion involves the endocervical canal.

Long-term cytological and histological outcomes in women managed with loop excision treatment under local anaesthetic for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the impact of excision margin status after large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) under local anaesthetic for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-CIN) on the cytological and histological outcomes up to 5 years after treatment.

METHODS

  Prospective cytological and histological data were obtained by examination of the colposcopy database at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. All women aged between 19 and 50 years who underwent treatment for HG-CIN by LLETZ under local anaesthetic were included in the study. Patients without follow-up data were excluded from the study. The excision margin status was correlated with the subsequent cytological and histological outcomes.

RESULTS

A series of 967 women with CIN2 and CIN3 underwent LLETZ excision under local anaesthetic. Overall, 42% of women had disease present at the excision margin following LLETZ. Women with CIN3 were more likely than those with CIN2 to have an involved excision margin (P<0.0001). Cytological recurrence was highest at 12 months (16%) and did not correlate with the CIN grade or excision margin status. Histological recurrence/persistence was also highest at 12 months follow-up (15%) and this correlated with grade of CIN and margin status (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Histological recurrence/persistence correlates with grade of CIN and excision margin status. Management of HG-CIN in an outpatient setting under local anaesthetic is safe, cost effective and yields a favourable long-term outcome.

A pilot study comparing efficacy of a cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Excisor with loop electrosurgical excision procedure

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the proportion of incomplete resection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1-3) may be reduced by CIN Excisor compared with loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective trial during a 2-year period at a district general hospital in London, United Kingdom, including 420 women scheduled for treatment due to CIN, after colposcopy guided biopsy results. This study was expected to demonstrate a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the proportion of women with clear histopathological resection margins after treatment with CIN Excisor compared with LLETZ. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used to compare histopathological resection margins in the CIN Excisor and LLETZ groups.

RESULTS

Overall, there is strong evidence of a difference in the proportion of histopathological specimens with clear resection margins for the CIN Excisor group, compared with the LLETZ group (201/210, 95.7% versus 180/210, 85.7%: p<0.001). Sub-analysis within the two groups, of the proportion of histopathological specimens with clear resection margins in relation to CIN grades, revealed a statistically significant difference in favour of the CIN Excisor group for CIN 1 (99/103, 96.1% versus 82/95, 86.3%: p=0.01), and CIN 2 (73/77, 94.8% versus 68/80, 85%: p=0.04). There is a numerical difference in the proportion of clear resection margins in favour of the CIN Excisor for CIN 3 (29/30, 96.7% versus 30/35, 85.7%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.21). Perioperative complications were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

CIN Excisor achieved better results than LLETZ for treatment of CIN 1-3 with respect to clear histopathological resection margins. However, further studies including a larger number of women treated for CIN 3 are needed before firm conclusions are drawn.

Value of second pass in loop electrosurgical excisional procedure

The aim of this study was to compare the rate of incomplete resection and treatment outcome of the second-pass technique with those of single-pass technique in loop electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP). From 1997 to 2002, 683 women were diagnosed as squamous dysplasia via LEEP in our institution. Age, parity, LEEP technique, grade of lesion, glandular extension, margin status, residual tumor and recurrence were obtained by reviewing medical records. Positive margin was defined as mild dysplasia or higher grade lesions at resection margin of the LEEP specimen. In women who underwent hysterectomy, residual tumor was defined as mild dysplasia or higher grade lesions in hysterectomy specimen. In women who did not underwent hysterectomy, Pap smear more than atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or biopsy result more than mild dysplasia within two years after LEEP were regarded as cytologic or histologic recurrences, respectively. Treatment failure of LEEP was defined as residual tumor or histologic recurrence. The second-pass technique significantly reduced the endocervical margin positivity (odds ratio [OR], 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-0.63). However, the second-pass technique did not reduce the treatment failure (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.29-1.32). In conclusion, the second-pass technique markedly reduced the endocervical margin positivity, but did not reduce the treatment failure rate of LEEP.

Correlation of recurrence rates and times with posttreatment human papillomavirus status in patients treated with loop electrosurgical excision procedure conization for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions

The aim of the present study was to assess recurrence rates and times in patients with squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) of the uterine cervix treated with loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) conization, in order to define categories of patients who have a different risk of recurrence and who need a different surveillance protocol. This study was carried out on 119 consecutive patients who underwent LEEP. All patients were followed up with cervical smear and colposcopy after 3, 6, and 12 months in the first-year posttreatment, and every 6-12 months afterwards. Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing was performed at the time of LEEP and repeated 3-6 months later. The histologic examination of LEEP specimens revealed stage IA1 squamous cell cervical cancer in 4 (3.4%) cases, high-grade SIL in 75 (63%) cases, and low-grade SIL in 40 (33.6%) cases. The four patients with stage IA1 cervical cancer were not included in the further analyses. Disease recurred in none of the 50 patients with negative posttreatment HPV testing, in 4 (9.3%) of the 43 patients with positive posttreatment HPV testing and negative surgical margins, and in 8 (36.4%) of 22 patients with positive posttreatment HPV testing and positive margins. The combined evaluation of surgical margin status and posttreatment HPV testing could allow to subdivide patients treated with LEEP into categories at different risk of recurrence, requiring new tailored surveillance procedures.

2006 consensus guidelines for the management of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or adenocarcinoma in situ

OBJECTIVE

To provide updated consensus guidelines for the management of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS).

PARTICIPANTS

A group of 146 experts including representatives from 29 professional organizations, federal agencies, and national and international health organizations met on September 18-19, 2006, in Bethesda, MD, to develop the guidelines. MAJOR CHANGES IN THE GUIDELINES: The management of women with CIN grade 1 (CIN 1) has been modified significantly. In the earlier guidelines, management depended on whether the colposcopic examination was satisfactory and treatment using ablative or excisional methods was acceptable for women with CIN 1. In the new guidelines, cytological follow-up is the only recommended management option, regardless of whether the colposcopic examination is satisfactory, for women with CIN 1 who have a low-grade referral cervical cytology. Treatment of CIN 1 is particularly discouraged in adolescents. The basic management of women in the general population with CIN 2,3 underwent only minor modifications, but options for the conservative management of adolescents with CIN 2,3 have been expanded. Moreover, management recommendations for women with biopsy-confirmed AIS are now included.

CONCLUSION

Updated evidenced-based guidelines have been developed for the management of women with CIN or AIS. These guidelines reflect recent changes in our understanding of human papillomavirus-associated diseases of the cervix and the potential impact of treatment on future pregnancies.

High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN 2 and 3) excised with negative margins by loop electrosurgical excision procedure: the significance of CIN 1 at the margins of excision

The significance of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 or 3 (CIN 2-3) at the margin of a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) specimen as a predictor of recurrent or persistent disease is relatively controversial. Most studies have found the presence of high-grade dysplasia at the margins in this setting to be an adverse parameter. However, the significance of an isolated finding of CIN 1 at the surgical margins of LEEP specimens has not been rigorously studied. Herein, we evaluate the significance of finding CIN 1 at one or more margins of a LEEP specimen when these margins are negative for CIN 2-3. Consecutive LEEP specimens with a CIN 2-3 diagnosis (and whose margins were negative for the latter) were retrieved, and their slides were reviewed. The cases were classified as to whether CIN 1 was present at the margins. Follow-up cytologic and histologic data were compared between patients with and without CIN 1 at the margin. For patients with multiple follow-up samples, only the most severe abnormality (1 sample per patient) was counted. Seventy-three cases were evaluated, with CIN 1 present at the margin in 59 (81%, group 1) and absent in 14 (19%, group 2). Follow-up cytologic information was available in 60 patients, with a median follow-up of 19 months. The cytologic follow-up of groups 1 and 2 patients were not significantly different regarding the diagnostic frequency of any one of the Bethesda 2001 diagnostic categories (P > .05 for all, Fisher exact and chi(2) tests). Of the 33 patients who received a cervical biopsy and/or endocervical curettage during the follow-up period, 29 belonged to group 1 and 4 to group 2. The distribution of "negative" CIN 1 and CIN 2-3 diagnoses for group 1 were 16 (55%) of 29, 7 (24%) of 29, and 6 (21%) of 29, respectively. Parallel figures for group 2 were 2 (50%) of 4, 2 (50%) of 4, and 0 (0%) of 4, respectively. Although CIN 2-3 was more frequent in group 1, none of the comparisons attained statistical significance. The current study is a small single-institution study, whose findings should not be extrapolated to cold-knife conizations, and need to be confirmed in larger data sets. However, our preliminary analysis suggests that the isolated presence of CIN 1 at the margin of a LEEP specimen, whose margins are otherwise negative, lacks adverse prognostic significance.

Risk factors for incomplete excision of squamous cell carcinomas

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for incomplete excision of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 369 patients who underwent a primary excision of SCCs was performed within an outpatient and a hospital plastic surgery department setting.

RESULTS

Incomplete excision occurred in 25 of 369 primary excisions of SCC (6.8%). Location of the tumors on the forehead, temples, peri-auricular region, ears, cheeks, nose, lips or neck was significantly associated with incomplete excision of the tumors. In particular, high incomplete excision proportions were observed for tumors located on the ears (16.7%), neck (16.7%), temples (11.1%), nose (10.8%) or lips (7.1%). Incomplete excision of SCC was associated with the setting of the operation in the hospital as compared to ambulatory settings (p = 0.046) and was inversely associated with the specimen thickness (p = 0.002). There was no statistically significant association between incomplete excision of SCC and gender, age, clinical appearance of the lesion (suspected SCC vs other diagnoses), differentiation pattern, diameter of the tumor, length or width of the excised specimen, solar changes or ulceration.

CONCLUSION

We recommend that in patients with SCCs located in the forehead, temples, periauricular region, ears, cheeks, nose, lips or neck surgeons should commence particular surgical measures to avoid inadequate excisions of the tumors. In particular, surgeons should use wider excisional margins in tumors located in the embryonic fusion planes (e.g. eyelids and naso-labial folds).

Management of cervical premalignant lesions

Management of cervical preneoplasia starts with an abnormal smear result. The use of the Bethesda system is recommended. The management of patients with low-grade abnormal smear results varies around the world. Patients with atypical squamous cells on cytology are recommended to be subclassified into atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and atypical squamous cells where high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions (HSIL) cannot be excluded (ASCH) groups. While patients with ASCUS can be followed with cytology or colposcopy, the risk of having cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) is higher in patients with ASCH. Such patients, as well as those with low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions on cytology, should be referred for colposcopy to ensure that diagnosis and treatment in CIN is detected. Patients with HSIL should be referred promptly for colposcopic assessment. This should, usually at the same clinic visit, be followed by large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). Although this is effective treatment, around 15% of patients will have persistent/recurrent disease on cytological follow-up. Patients with positive human papillomavirus DNA tests at follow-up seem to have a considerably higher risk of recurrent preneoplasia than those who have negative tests. Patients over 50 years of age have much higher recurrence risks than younger patients. These factors impact on second-line treatment and follow-up schedules. An important benefit of conservative treatment for CIN with LLETZ is retention of fertility. LLETZ is associated with an increased risk of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes and preterm birth, but not with other adverse pregnancy outcome measures. Conservative excisional management of adenocarcinoma in situ by LLETZ or cold knife cone biopsy is not reported to be as effective as that of CIN, with high risk of residual and recurrent disease at follow-up. Conversely, LLETZ may be acceptable treatment for micro-invasive squamous carcinoma if the excision margins are free of disease and there is no evidence of lymphovascular involvement. The ability to detect and treat premalignant lesions on the cervix reversed the natural history of cervical cancer. Methods of conservative treatment that evolved over decades have been proven safe and effective, allowing retention of fertility. Good clinical guidelines have been developed for most clinical scenarios while some uncertainties persist for other scenarios.

Tools for Post LEEP Surveillance

Recurrences of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) as well as invasive cervical carcinoma have been reported to arise following ablative or excisional treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. This review utilizes MEDLINE and National Library of Medicine's PubMed review of the various screening tools used in follow-up protocols for women treated by loop excision for CIN. Cervical cytology, colposcopy, endocervical curettage and HPV typing have been advocated for use as tools for follow up. Involvement of the surgical margins and the presence of HPV-DNA are associated with higher risks of recurrence and should be taken into consideration. The psychological impact of undergoing colposcopy may affect compliance with follow-up visits and should be dealt with appropriately.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this article, the reader should be able to list the various tools that can be used for the surveillance of patients after treatment for CIN, to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each surveillance method, and summarize methods to improve compliance with follow-up.

High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions: Abbreviating Posttreatment Surveillance

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the surveillance schedule for patients treated with loop excision for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions could be improved.

METHODS

Women treated in our dysplasia clinic for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions by loop excision between January 1990 and December 1999 were identified. Demographic information, pathologic diagnosis, and follow-up visits were extracted from medical records. Follow-up data included all Papanicolaou (Pap) tests and/or cervical biopsies performed in our clinic after the initial procedure.

RESULTS

Women (n = 705) were treated for biopsy-proven high-grade dysplasia. Of those treated, 526 (74%) had at least 1 follow-up Pap test performed in our clinics within 2 years of their original procedure. During the 2 years of posttreatment surveillance, 70 (13.3%) women demonstrated recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or 3. Recurrence was highest during the first 6 months and between months 22 and 24 of surveillance. This rate was noted to be dramatically lower during months 7 to 21 of surveillance (P <.001). Increasing age was independently associated with a 1.6-fold per decade (95% confidence interval 1.29, 1.9) increase in risk of recurrence. A negative margin status was independently associated with a 0.29-fold (95% confidence interval 0.17, 0.5) decrease in risk of recurrence. Race was not shown to have an influence on risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

A clinically and financially optimal surveillance schedule for women treated for high-grade dysplasia with loop excision would be to obtain Pap tests every 6 months for 1 year and then return to annual screening. Lengthening the surveillance intervals could be beneficial to patients, while decreasing healthcare costs, without compromising the ability to detect and treat recurrent disease.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II-2

HPV testing can reduce the number of follow-up visits in women treated for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing by Hybrid Capture II (HC II) in addition to cytology to predict recurrent/residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 and cervical cancer in women treated for CIN 3.

METHODS

Follow-up study of 108 women with histologically confirmed CIN 3.

RESULTS

Pretreatment, in 96% (104/108) of the smears high-risk HPV DNA was present. Posttreatment, 71% (77/108) of the women had normal cytology and negative HC II test and none developed recurrent/residual disease during a median follow-up of 28.8 months with a range of 2.4-64.8 months. One of the 12% (13/108) of women with normal cytology and positive HC II test was diagnosed with cervical adenocarcinoma. One of the 7% (8/108) of women with abnormal cytology (borderline dyskaryosis or worse) and negative HC II test was diagnosed with CIN 2. Three of the 9% (10/108) of women with abnormal cytology and a positive HC II test were diagnosed with CIN 2/3. These results show an increased risk for recurrent/residual CIN 2/3 and cervical carcinoma when at least one posttreatment test is positive. The highest relative risk (72.9, 95% CI 25-210) was present in women with both tests positive.

CONCLUSIONS

HPV testing with Hybrid Capture II in conjunction with cytology can be used as a tool to select women with an increased risk for recurrent/residual CIN 2/3 and cervical cancer. The standard policy in The Netherlands is cytology at 6, 12, and 24 months posttreatment. However, for women with both normal cytology and negative HC II test at 6 months the chance to develop recurrent/residual CIN 2/3 and cervical carcinoma is so low that retesting at 12 months can be omitted.

2001 consensus guidelines for the management of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

OBJECTIVE

The study was undertaken to provide consensus guidelines for the management of women with histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) that can act as a precursor to invasive cervical cancer and represents one of the most common significant gynecologic diseases of women of reproductive age.

PARTICIPANTS

An independent panel of 121 experts in various aspects of the diagnosis and management of cervical cancer precursors, including representatives from 29 participating professional organizations, federal agencies, national and international health organizations, and others were invited by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP).

CONSENSUS PROCESS

Guidelines for the management of women with CIN were developed through a multistep process. Draft management guidelines were developed by working groups who performed formal literature reviews and obtained input from the professional community at large by way of an interactive internet-based bulletin board. At the ASCCP Consensus Conference, September 6 through 8, 2001, in Bethesda, Md, all guidelines were discussed, revised, and adopted by formal vote.

CONCLUSION

Evidence-based guidelines have been developed for the management of women with biopsy-confirmed CIN.

2001 Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Women with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

OBJECTIVE

To provide consensus guidelines for the management of women with histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which can act as a precursor to invasive cervical cancer and represents one of the most common significant gynecologic diseases of women of reproductive age.

PARTICIPANTS

An independent panel of 121 experts in various aspects of the diagnosis and management of cervical cancer precursors, including representatives from 29 participating professional organizations, federal agencies, national and international health organizations, and others invited by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP).

CONSENSUS PROCESS

Guidelines for the management of women with CIN were developed through a multistep process. Working groups, who performed formal literature reviews and obtained input from the professional community at large by way of an interactive Internet-based bulletin board, developed draft management guidelines. At the ASCCP Consensus Conference, September 6-8, 2001, in Bethesda, Maryland, all guidelines were discussed, revised, and adopted by formal vote.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based guidelines have been developed for the management of women with biopsy-confirmed CIN.

Management of women with cervical cancer precursor lesions

An understanding of the natural history of HPV-induced precancer and cancer, and of the immune response to HPV and to these lesions, has significantly changed the management of lower genital tract neoplasia. New management guidelines incorporate this understanding, providing a more rational approach to diagnosis and treatment. Understanding that low-grade HPV-induced lesions are not true cervical cancer precursor has fostered expectant management of women with these lesions; however, management approaches are still hampered by the inability to better predict who is at risk for high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer and who is not; this is particularly problematic in the expectant management of CIN 1. In addition, the decision whether or not to treat these low-grade lesions may depend on a number of complex factors that take into account the woman's preferences and reliability for follow-up, as well as a host of issues related to costs and the reliability of the original diagnosis and the tests used for follow-up. Management options for high-grade cervical cancer precursor lesions are much more definitive, because the option of expectant management is given except in pregnancy and for adolescents with CIN 2. New markers that better predict which women with high-risk HPV are at highest risk for subsequent development of a true cervical cancer precursor lesion appear to be on the horizon and may make the management of low-grade lesions as clear as present guide lines for their high-grade cousins. Until that time, understanding all the issues involved in expectant and in active management of cervical HPV-induced lesions will help provide women with the best care possible.

How should we grade CIN?

How should we grade CIN? The grading of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is problematic. CIN represents a morphological continuum, but biopsies displaying this lesion are classified into two (e.g. Bethesda) or three grade categories, sometimes with poor reproducibility. There are also difficulties in reliably distinguishing low-grade CIN from its reactive simulants. Because of problems with inter- and intra-observer disagreement in the grading of CIN and the diagnosis of low-grade lesions, three expert contributions were commissioned to address the question 'how should we grade CIN?'.