Abnormal Pap smear frequency and comparison of repeat cytological follow-up with colposcopy during patient management: the importance of pathologist's guidance in the management

Diagnostic Accuracy of p16INK4a/Ki-67 Dual Immunostaining for Detection of High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Women Involved in Cervical Cancer Screening in Georgia

Background

Despite the widespread introduction of primary and secondary preventative measures, death rates for cervical cancer are still significantly high among females, especially in developing countries. Pap cytology and human papillomavirus-based screening often lead to unnecessary additional testing. The aim of this study is to analyze diagnostic accuracy of p16^INK4a/Ki-67 dual immunostaining (DS) in cervical smear for identifying high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+).

Materials and Methods

We studied the diagnostic performance of p16^INK4a/Ki-67 DS in cervical smear of those women, who enrolled in cervical cancer screening due to abnormal previous screening results and compared it with Pap test results in identifying CIN2+. The reference standard was histopathology results. p16^INK4a/Ki-67 DS and Pap test results for 162 women and histopathology results for 29 women were available, respectively.

Results

In our study, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of p16^INK4a/Ki-67 DS, irrespective of the morphology of stained cells to detect CIN2+ were 100%, 89%, 85%, and 100% (p < 0.01), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of p16^INK4a/Ki-67 DS is superior to that of existing cervical screening tests in the detection of CIN2+.

Conclusion

The findings of cervical cancer screening based on Pap cytology highlight the importance of assessing the cost-effectiveness of integrating p16^INK4a/Ki-67 biomarkers in cervical cancer cytology. Furthermore, these findings emphasize the need to enhance support for preventive programs for cervical cancer in Georgia.

Cytological, Colposcopic and Pathohistological Correlation of HSIL and ASC H Findings

Introduction:

Cervical cancer can be successfully prevented by timely detection of changes that precede it such as atypical (ASC-H) and high grade squamous lesions (HSIL).

Aim:

To investigate the correlation between Pap smear and colposcopy in the detection of premalignant and malignant cervical lesions based on a pathohistological finding.

Methods:

In a retrospective study 118 patients with HSIL and ASC-H findings were examined. A Pap smear, colposcopic examination and cervical canal biopsy were performed. The study was conducted at the Gynecological Center “Dr Mahira Jahic” Tuzla and the Clinical Center Tuzla, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Results:

1049 abnormal Pap tests were analyzed, ASCUS in 51,8% (N-544), LSIL 32,1% (N-337), HSIL 7,7% (N-81) and ASC-H 3,5% (N-37), AGC 4,8% (N-51). The mean age of the subjects with the abnormal Pap test was 46.33 ± 3.2. The age of patients with ASCUS lesion was 38,6 , LSIL 41,0, ASC-H was 47,3 , HSIL (CIN II and CIN III) 45,8 , while patients with CIS were 51,2 years. Pathological histology HSIL confirmed a high grade lesion in 67,7% (CIN II, CIN III and CIS) (N-55), in 32% (N-26) a lower grade CIN I in 18,5% and chronic cervicitis in 13,5% (N-11). In ASC-H lesion pathohistological HSIL was found in 13,5% (N-5), CIN I 13,5% (N-5) and chronic cervicitis 48,6 % (N-18). Abnormal colposcopic imaging with HSIL lesion was found in 72,9% (N-69), in 8,6% (N-7) was unsatisfactory and in 18,5% (N-15) the colposcopic finding was normal. In ASC-H lesions, abnormal colposcopic imaging was found in 40,5% (N-15), unsatisfactory findings in 10,8% (N-4), and normal findings in 48,6% (N-18).

Conclusion:

Colposcopy has proven to be better method than cytology with an accuracy of 72,9% in high-grade lesion such as HSIL and ASC-H.

Cervical polyp: evaluating the need of routine surgical intervention and its correlation with cervical smear cytology and endometrial pathology: a retrospective study

Objective

To determine the frequency of premalignant and malignant lesions in cervical polyps in order to examine whether cervical polyps need to be removed routinely and also to appraise its association with cervical smear cytology and endometrial pathologies.

Methods

We retrospectively re-examined the hospital records of 299 cases over a period of 5 years. All patients were segregated into perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups according to their menopausal status. The groups were compared in terms of histological results of cervical polyp biopsy, endometrial pathologies, and cervical smear cytology. Pearson’s χ² test and Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis, and a P-value of <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

Results

In the histopathological reports of cervical polyps, premalignant lesions were found in 2% of cases, and only 0.3% of malignant lesion was observed in menopausal women. Subsequently, no malignancy was noted in cervical smear cytology for both groups. Premalignant and malignant lesions in endometrial histopathology findings were 1.33% and 0.66%, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between the menopausal status of the patient and cervical smear cytology and endometrial pathology, but the histological findings were not statistically significant in relation to the symptomatic status of the patients.

Conclusion

As per the results, we strongly suggest the removal of all cervical polyps with subsequent histological review. The evaluation of cervical smear cytology prior to polypectomy can provide information about its malignancy potential. We believe that along with cervical polypectomy, endometrial sampling should be recommended, especially for postmenopausal women.

Progression Low Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion and Human Papillomavirus Infections

INTRODUCTION

Infection with human papillomavirus is the main cause of cervical carcinoma. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) 556 cases of cervical carcinoma are diagnosed annually, and 141 women die from it.

AIM

To determine the most common HPV type found in ASCUS and LSIL and progression, regression and persistence of lesions.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, 11 051 PAP tests, performed in several private gynecological practices located in Tuzla Canton from January 2016 to December 2019, were analyzed. In processing of data , X2 - statistical method was used.

RESULTS

11051 PAP test were inspected. Normal findings were found in 90.48% (N-10002) and pathological findings in 9.49% (N- 049). ASCUS was present in 4.9% (N-544), LSIL in 3.04% (N-337), HSIL in 0.74% (N-84), ASC-H in 0.27% (N-30) and AGC in 0.49% (N-55) of cases. The most common is HPV 16, found in 50.5% (N-44) of ASCUS and LSIL. Monoinfection with HPV 16 was found in 40.9% (N-18) ASCUS (N-3) and LSIL (N-15), and a combination of HPV 16 with other types like HPV 18, 31, 33, 39 in 59% (N-26). Progression of ASCUS lesion in HSIL 1.6% (N-2), and LSIL 9.6% (N-12). Progression of LSIL to HSIL was found in 9.0% (N-10). HSIL progresses significantly more frequent from LSIL (p<0.05) than from ASCUS changes. Lesions that progress into higher grade HSIL are HPV 16 positive. Progression into HSIL is not found in patients with low-risk HPV 6 and 11 infection.

CONCLUSION

Women infected with HPV 16 have more a frequent progression of a lesion into higher grade HSIL. They should be intensively monitored because of the increased risk for development of cervical carcinoma.