The Clinical Utility of Extended High-Risk HPV Genotyping in Women With ASC-US Cytology

OBJECTIVES

Extended testing for high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes (hrHPVGTs) is increasingly investigated for risk stratification in cervical cancer screening.

METHODS

Age and hrHPVGT results from 16,993 women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cytology between November 2015 and August 2021 were studied and correlated with available histopathologic findings within 6 months.

RESULTS

High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV)-positive rate was 66.9% in women with ASC-US cytology, and the most prevalent genotypes were HPV 52 (20.9%), 16 (15.7%), and 58 (12.8%). Single hrHPV genotypes and multiple HPV genotypes were detected in 77.2% and 22.8% of women with hrHPV-positive results. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more (CIN2+) severe lesions were identified in 19.5% of women with hrHPV-positive ASC-US. The greatest risk for CIN2+ was found in single genotype infections with HPV 16 (33.1%), followed by women with multiple genotype infections, including HPV 16 (32.7%), 82 (30.8%), and 31 (30.0%). hrHPVGT testing for genotypes 16, 31, 35, 45, 82, 58, 33, 52, and 18 was identified in 91.9% (965/1,050) of CIN2+ cases, with 88.9% sensitivity, 43.2% specificity, positive predictive value of 23.9%, and negative predictive value of 95.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Extended hrHPV genotyping for women with ASC-US cytology could identify those hrHPV genotypes (HPV 16, 31, 35, 45, 82, 58, 33, 52, 18) associated with higher risk of CIN2+ and allows for refined risk stratification of women being screened.

Nationwide Prevalence and Genotype Distribution of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection in China

OBJECTIVES

Extended high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) genotype testing has recently been introduced in routine cervical cancer screening. Changes in national and regional hrHPV genotype prevalence offer an objective baseline indicator of the future impact of mass HPV vaccination and HPV-based cervical screening.

METHODS

This retrospective study reports nationwide hrHPV genotyping results from July 2018 to June 2019 in 29 KingMed Diagnostics laboratories throughout China.

RESULTS

In total, 2,458,227 hrHPV genotyping results were documented from KingMed's nationwide laboratory database during the study period. The overall prevalence of hrHPV-positive results was 19.1%, with twin peaks for highest hrHPV infection rates in women younger than 30 years of age (22.0%) and 50 years of age and older (21.8%). The most frequently detected hrHPV genotypes were HPV-52 (4.7%), HPV-16 (3.4%), HPV-53 (2.5%), HPV-58 (2.4%), HPV-51 (2.0%), and HPV-68 (1.6%). Overall, hrHPV-positive results varied regionally from 15.3% to 24.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Nationwide hrHPV genotyping results from KingMed laboratories offer a baseline for measuring the future impact of large-scale HPV vaccination. High hrHPV infection rates in older (≥50 years) Chinese women likely reflect the limited extent of cervical screening in China. High rates of hrHPV infection and variable regional hrHPV genotype distribution may represent limiting factors for cost-effective implementation of hrHPV-based cervical screening in China.

Change of Practice Patterns Following an Educational Comment on Reports of Benign-Appearing Endometrial Cells in Papanicolaou Tests

OBJECTIVES

Since the publication of our study demonstrating high negative predictive values (>99% for women in their 40s) of benign-appearing endometrial cells (nEMCs), we have begun to include an educational comment in Papanicolaou (Pap) test reports with nEMCs that recommends routine periodic screening for asymptomatic premenopausal women (APW). The current study evaluated how the inclusion of this comment has affected clinical practice patterns at our institution.

METHODS

The 2017 to 2019 database identified 175 reports containing the educational comment in women aged 45 to 54 years with a follow-up time of 11 to 37 months. Data, including age, menopause status, symptoms, imaging, and outcome, were collected. The procedure rate and the impact of clinical modifiers were assessed.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven (20.6%) patients had biopsies within 6 months, which decreased from 48.1% as we previously reported. All nine (5%) APW with biopsies triggered only by nEMCs had benign histopathology. The remaining 28 biopsied patients had abnormal bleeding or a thickened endometrium, or they were postmenopausal, including a 53-year-old patient with complex atypical hyperplasia. None of the 138 patients with conservative follow-up developed atypical/malignant lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

A qualifying educational note included in Pap reports significantly reduced follow-up biopsies in APW. Optimal follow-up of nEMCs should be based on relevant clinical modifiers.

Risk stratification for cervical neoplasia using extended high-risk HPV genotyping in women with ASC-US cytology: A large retrospective study from China

BACKGROUND

Extended high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) genotype testing (hrHPVGT) has emerged as a new strategy to help optimize the efficiency of hrHPV triage.

METHODS

Women with an atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cervical Papanicolaou test result who underwent hrHPVGT between October 2017 and May 2021 at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai, China, were studied. For hrHPVGT, a proprietary multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay was used. hrHPVGT and viral load test results in selected patients were correlated with histopathologic follow-up findings available within 6 months.

RESULTS

In total, 17,235 women with ASC-US cytology who had hrHPVGT results were identified in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University database. The hrHPV-positive rate was 61.8%, and the most prevalent hrHPV genotypes were type 52 (HPV52) (16%), HPV16 (11.3%), HPV58 (10.2%), and HPV53 (8.4%). Single hrHPV genotypes were detected in 65.9% of women with hrHPV-positive results, and multiple genotypes were detected in 34.1%. Histopathologic cervical findings within 6 months were available in 5627 hrHPV-positive women and 2223 hrHPV-negative women. High-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions or cervical cancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or greater [CIN2+]) were identified in 7.5% of hrHPV-positive women who had ASC-US cytology and in 0.9% of hrHPV-negative women who had ASC-US cytology. The greatest risk for CIN2+ was in single hrHPV genotype infections with HPV16 (21.1%), HPV33 (15.2%), HPV82 (10%), and HPV18 (9.9%). hrHPVGT for genotypes HPV16, HPV33, HPV82, HPV18, HPV31, HPV45, HPV58, and HPV52 identified 95% of CIN2+ cases with 90.8% sensitivity, 53.8% specificity, a positive predictive value of 10.2%, and a negative predictive value of 99%. A significantly increased viral load was associated only with women who had HPV16-related CIN2+.

CONCLUSIONS

hrHPVGT for women who have ASC-US cytology allows for risk stratification capable of optimizing the efficiency of triage for hrHPV-positive women.

Aptima HPV messenger RNA testing and histopathologic follow-up in women with HSIL cytology: A study emphasizing additional review of HPV-negative cases

BACKGROUND

High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) messenger RNA (mRNA) testing, the Food and Drug Administration-approved testing platform since 2013, has been increasing as a cervical screening alternative to hrHPV DNA testing methods. This study reports the largest routine clinical follow-up study reported to date of hrHPV mRNA cotesting and histopathologic follow-up results for women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cytology results.

METHODS

HSIL Papanicolaou test results for women cotested with Aptima hrHPV mRNA testing between June 2015 and November 2020 were analyzed along with recorded histopathologic follow-up results within 6 months of screening.

RESULTS

Aptima hrHPV mRNA-positive results were reported for 95.2% of the cotested HSIL cytology cases (905 of 951). Histopathologic cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) was diagnosed on follow-up in 538 of 701 hrHPV mRNA-positive cases (76.8%) and in 15 of 36 hrHPV mRNA-negative cases (41.7%). Additional reviews of the hrHPV mRNA-negative HSIL cases showed variable interpretations, and confirmatory blinded-review interpretations of HSIL or atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion were more likely in cases with histopathologic CIN2+ (77.5% [93 of 120]) than those with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 or negative findings (63.1% [101 of 160]; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

This large routine-clinical-practice study confirms the previously reported high sensitivity of hrHPV mRNA testing for the detection of high-grade cervical dysplasia and cervical cancers. The blinded-review findings indicate that additional cytology review may be helpful for confirming an interpretation of HSIL in daily practice, especially for hrHPV-negative HSIL cases.

Contributions of Liquid-Based (Papanicolaou) Cytology and Human Papillomavirus Testing in Cotesting for Detection of Cervical Cancer and Precancer in the United States

Objectives

Given the recent debate challenging the contribution of cytology in cervical screening, we evaluated results of liquid-based cytology (LBC) and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in cotesting preceding cervical cancer (CxCa) and precancer diagnoses in a national, heterogeneous population.

Methods

We assessed the results of cotesting, performed by Quest Diagnostics, in 13,633,071 women 30 years and older, tested 2010 to 2018. Cotest results preceding CxCa or precancer diagnoses were analyzed and stratified by histopathology.

Results

Among all screening results, 1,615 cotests preceded 1,259 CxCa diagnoses, and 11,164 cotests preceded 8,048 cervical precancer diagnoses. More women who were subsequently diagnosed with CxCa within 1 year were identified by the LBC result than by the HPV result (85.1%, 1,015/1,193 vs 77.5%, 925/1,193). Among all women with CxCa, the overall rate of nondetection was 13.1% (212/1,615) for cotesting results (LBC negative/HPV negative) and this rate increased substantially when testing exceeded 12 months compared to within 1 year prediagnosis of either CxCa or precancer.

Conclusions

Analysis of 9-year cotest results from a national reference laboratory confirms the value of LBC element in cotesting. This supports that LBC/HPV cotesting enhances screening for the identification of CxCa in women 30 years and older, more so than LBC or HPV alone within cotesting.

Personalized Medicine and Cervical Screening: Development of Individualized Quantitative Risk Assessments for Cervical Adenocarcinoma and Adenocarcinoma in situ

INTRODUCTION

Cervical screening has decreased the incidence of cervical carcinoma around the world primarily by preventing cervical squamous carcinoma, with significantly less measurable protective benefits in prevention of cervical adenocarcinoma. In this study, we apply Bayesian modeling of cervical clinical, screening, and biopsy data from a large integrated health system to explore the feasibility of calculating personalized risk assessments on screened system patients for subsequent histopathologic diagnoses of invasive cervical adenocarcinoma (AdCa) or cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diagnoses of cervical AIS or AdCa rendered between 2005 and 2018 were identified in our large health system database with 1,053,713 cytology results, 354,843 high-risk (hr) human papillomavirus (HPV) test results, and 99,012 cervical histopathologic results. Using our continuously updated Bayesian cervical cancer screening model which includes clinical data, cervical screening results, and cervical biopsy results, we projected quantitative estimates of patients' 5-year cumulative risk for cervical AIS or AdCa.

RESULTS

161 patients were identified with AIS (ages 17-75, mean 37 years), and 99 patients had diagnoses of cervical AdCa (ages 26-91, mean 48 years). Quantitative Bayesian 5-year cumulative risk projections for diagnoses of cervical AdCa or AIS in patients with different cervical screening test and biopsy histories were determined. The highest patient risk projections for subsequent cervical AdCa and/or AIS histopathologic diagnoses were associated with prior cervical screening test results of HPV-positive atypical glandular cells. Prior squamous cytologic abnormalities were associated with lower risk estimates. Prior histopathologic diagnoses of squamous abnormalities also influenced quantitative risk. A prior histopathologic diagnosis of AIS was associated with a very low risk of subsequent AdCa, consistent with effective excisional treatment. AdCa risk was greatest in women aged 30-65 years with prior CIN3 biopsy results, whereas AIS risk was greatest in women <30.

CONCLUSION

Prevention of cervical AdCa in screened patients remains a major challenge for cervical screening. Individualized risk projections for cervical glandular neoplasia reflecting patient age, prior cervical screening test results, and prior cervical biopsy history are feasible using Bayesian modeling of health system data.

Are CIN3 risk or CIN3+ risk measures reliable surrogates for invasive cervical cancer risk?

•Discuss ASCCP guideline. •CIN3 reliable surrogates for cervical cancer? •The Pittsburgh Cervical Cancer Screening Model.

Individualized Bayesian Risk Assessment for Cervical Squamous Neoplasia

Background:

Cervical screening could potentially be improved by better stratifying individual risk for the development of cervical cancer or precancer, possibly even allowing follow-up of individual patients differently than proposed under current guidelines that focus primarily on recent screening test results. We explore the use of a Bayesian decision science model to quantitatively stratify individual risk for the development of cervical squamous neoplasia.

Materials and Methods:

We previously developed a dynamic multivariate Bayesian network model that uses cervical screening and histopathologic data collected over 13 years in our system to quantitatively estimate the risk of individuals for the development of cervical precancer or invasive cervical cancer. The database includes 1,126,048 liquid-based cytology test results belonging to 389,929 women. From-the-vial, high risk human papilloma virus (HPV) test results and follow-up gynecological surgical procedures were available on 33.6% and 12% of these results (378,896 and 134,727), respectively.

Results:

Historical data impacted 5-year cumulative risk for both histopathologic cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) diagnoses. The risk was highest in patients with prior high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cytology results. Persistent abnormal cervical screening test results, either cytologic or HPV results, were associated with variable increasing risk for squamous neoplasia. Risk also increased with prior histopathologic diagnoses of precancer, including CIN2, CIN3, and adenocarcinoma in situ.

Conclusions:

Bayesian modeling allows for individualized quantitative risk assessments of system patients for histopathologic diagnoses of significant cervical squamous neoplasia, including very rare outcomes such as SCC.

The impact of primary HPV screening on the incidence of cervical cancer in New Zealand

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to evaluate the impact on the incidence of cervical cancer in New Zealand of 5-yearly human papillomavirus (HPV) primary screening compared with 3-yearly cytology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Unbiased estimates of the screening test sensitivity of HPV and cytology screening, and screening coverage, were used to calculate the reduction in cervical cancer incidence obtained by current cytology screening and the new HPV screening policy.

RESULTS

HPV screening in New Zealand is predicted to increase the incidence of cervical cancer in women being screened by 81.7% (95% CI: 38.9%-124.7%). The overall increase in the population incidence of cervical cancer in New Zealand was estimated to be 46.7% (95% CI 42.6%-50.8%), leading to about 57 more women developing cervical cancer each year.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that lengthening the screening interval concurrently with changing to HPV testing may reduce the protection from invasive cervical cancer for women. Women in New Zealand should continue to be screened by cytology every 3 years. Changes to screening policy should be carefully designed so that changes in screening effectiveness can be accurately measured.

Nationwide survey of cervical cytology laboratory practices in China

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer rates in China remain high, with only limited opportunistic screening in urban centers and large mostly unscreened rural areas. Cervical cytology practices in China have been changing over the last decade with introduction of The Bethesda System reporting terminology, liquid-based cytology (LBC), and programs for cervical cytology screening of underserved rural populations. An effort was undertaken for the first time to collect nationwide data on cervical cytology laboratory practices in China, a possible first step toward increased standardization and potential development of nationwide cytology quality benchmarks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on cervical cytology practices from 1572 laboratories operating in 26 nationwide Provisional Level Administrative Divisions was collected in an online survey approved through the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai.

RESULTS

Over 90% of cervical cytology laboratories in China now solely use Bethesda System reporting terminology. LBC is now the most commonly utilized form of cervical cytology, with lower-cost Chinese-manufactured LBC formulations used in almost 70% of laboratories. Nationwide, significantly higher abnormal cytology rates were reported with LBC than with the conventional Papanicolaou smear (CPS); however, the CPS remains a useful low-cost alternative as China strives to extend cervical screening to large underserved rural areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal cytology rates were not significantly different when different levels of hospitals were compared. The survey identified nationwide opportunities for cytology quality improvement, including low rates of reporting of unsatisfactory cases and low rates for atypical glandular cells.

Application of Bayesian network modeling to pathology informatics

BACKGROUND

In the era of extensive data collection, there is a growing need for a large scale data analysis with tools that can handle many variables in one modeling framework. In this article, we present our recent applications of Bayesian network modeling to pathology informatics.

METHODS

Bayesian networks (BNs) are probabilistic graphical models that represent domain knowledge and allow investigators to process this knowledge following sound rules of probability theory. BNs can be built based on expert opinion as well as learned from accumulating data sets. BN modeling is now recognized as a suitable approach for knowledge representation and reasoning under uncertainty. Over the last two decades BN have been successfully applied to many studies on medical prognosis and diagnosis.

RESULTS

Based on data and expert knowledge, we have constructed several BN models to assess patient risk for subsequent specific histopathologic diagnoses and their related prognosis in gynecological cytopathology and breast pathology. These models include the Pittsburgh Cervical Cancer Screening Model assessing risk for histopathologic diagnoses of cervical precancer and cervical cancer, modeling of the significance of benign-appearing endometrial cells in Pap tests, diagnostic modeling to determine whether adenocarcinoma in tissue specimens is of endometrial or endocervical origin, and models to assess risk for recurrence of invasive breast carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ.

CONCLUSIONS

Bayesian network models can be used as powerful and flexible risk assessment tools on large clinical datasets and can quantitatively identify variables that are of greatest significance in predicting specific histopathologic diagnoses and their related prognosis. Resulting BN models are able to provide individualized quantitative risk assessments and prognostication for specific abnormal findings commonly reported in gynecological cytopathology and breast pathology.

Enhanced Detection of Cervical Cancer and Precancer Through Use of Imaged Liquid-Based Cytology in Routine Cytology and HPV Cotesting

OBJECTIVES

Cervical screening strives to prevent cervical cancer (CxCa), minimizing morbidity and mortality. Most large US reports on cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) cotesting of women aged 30 years and older are from one laboratory, which used conventional Papanicolaou (Pap) smears from 2003 to 2009.

METHODS

We quantified detection of CxCa and precancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3/adenocarcinoma in situ [CIN3/AIS]) in 300,800 cotests at Magee Womens Hospital since 2005. Screening histories preceding CxCa and CIN3/AIS diagnoses were examined to assess the contribution of cytology and HPV testing. Cotesting utilized Food and Drug Administration-approved imaged liquid-based cytology (LBC) and from-the-vial HPV tests.

RESULTS

LBC identified more women subsequently diagnosed with CxCa and CIN3/AIS than HPV testing. HPV-negative/cytology-positive results preceded 13.1% of CxCa and 7.2% of CIN3/AIS diagnoses.

CONCLUSIONS

LBC enhanced cotesting detection of CxCa and CIN3/AIS to a greater extent than previously reported with conventional Pap smear and HPV cotesting.

Use of Uterine Characteristics to Improve Fertility-Sparing Diagnosis of Adenomyosis

Objective: To describe patient demographics, determine accuracy of clinical diagnosis, and evaluate reliability of laparoscopic uterine characteristics in the diagnosis of adenomyosis. Materials and Methods: Enrollment included 117 patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications. Intraoperatively, the attending surgeon predicted uterine weight; evaluated the presence of fibroids; and commented on the uterus' shape, color, and consistency while probing it with a blunt instrument. A prediction was also made about whether final pathology would reveal adenomyosis. Standardized video recordings were obtained at the start of the case. Each video was viewed retrospectively twice by three expert surgeons in a blinded fashion. Uterine characteristics were reported again with a prediction of whether or not there would be a pathologic diagnosis of adenomyosis. These data were used to calculate inter-and intrarater reliability of diagnosis. Results: Women with adenomyosis were more likely to complain of midline pain as opposed to lateral or diffuse pain (p = 0.048) with no difference in the timing of the pain (p = 0.404), compared to patients without adenomyosis. Uterine tenderness on examination was not an accurate predictor of adenomyosis (p = 0.566). Preoperative diagnosis of adenomyosis by clinicians was poor, with an accuracy rate of 51.7%. None of the intraoperative uterine characteristics were significant for predicting adenomyosis on final pathology, nor was any combination of the features (p = 0.546). Retrospective video reviews failed to reveal any uterine characteristics that generated consistent inter- or intrarater reliability (Krippendorff's α < 0.7) in making the diagnosis of adenomyosis. Conclusions: Clinical and video diagnosis of adenomyosis have low accuracy with no uterine characteristics consistently or reliably predicting adenomyosis on final pathology. (J GYNECOL SURG 34:183).

Extended Human Papillomavirus Genotype Distribution and Cervical Cytology Results in a Large Cohort of Chinese Women With Invasive Cervical Cancers and High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions

OBJECTIVES

To study the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution of cervical cancer (CxCa) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 (CIN2/3) in China and to evaluate cotesting of HPV and cytology in CxCa screening.

METHODS

Patients with histopathologic CxCa and CIN 2/3 diagnoses reported between January 2012 and June 2016 and extended HPV genotype testing in the prior 6 months were documented in the institute. Available prior Papanicolaou (Pap) test results were also documented. Extended HPV genotype testing was performed using two China Food and Drug Administration-approved HPV tests.

RESULTS

CxCa and CIN 2/3 diagnoses and recent prior HPV test results were documented in 370 CxCa cases and 2774 CIN 2/3 cases. The high-risk (hr) HPV-positive rate was 88.4% for CxCa and 90.1% for CIN 2/3. Among 327 HPV-positive CxCa cases, the most common HPV types were HPV 16 (70.3%), 18 (7.0%), 58 (5.7%), 33 (4.1%), and 53 and 59 (1.9% each). Among 2499 hrHPV-positive CIN 2/3 cases, the most common HPV types were HPV 16 (53.3%), 58 (21.4%), 52 (11%), 33 (10.6%), and 18 (5.1%). 161 CxCa cases and 1094 CIN 2/3 cases also had available prior cotest results. Among cotested cases hrHPV-negative results were reported in 12.4% of CxCa and 10.1% of CIN 2/3 cases compared to cytology-negative results reported in 15.5% of CxCa and 4.3% of CIN 2/3.

CONCLUSIONS

HPV 16/18/59/39/45 genotypes were significantly more prevalent in CxCa cases than in CIN 2/3 cases, consistent with the more limited progressive potential of some CIN 2/3 lesions. Of CIN 2/3 and CxCa cases, 10% to 12% had recent negative hrHPV test results, pointing to a significant limitation of primary HPV screening.

Digital Applications in Cytopathology: Problems, Rationalizations, and Alternative Approaches

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to raise awareness of problems using digital applications for examining, teaching, and applying telecytology at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA; and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, USA. The objective was to rationalize problems and propose alternative digital approaches.

STUDY DESIGN

We sought to identify solutions to improve the following: (a) interpretive examination scores at KAMC for complex cytological templates (i.e., high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions [HSIL]) when using static digital images (SDI) of cells in regions of interest (ROI); (b) visualization of cells in 3D clusters when teaching at UNMC using 2D and 3D whole-slide imaging (WSI); and (c) visualization of cells through streaming telecytology at UPMC.

RESULTS

Composite SDI (CSDI) improved test scores for complex interpretations (i.e., HSIL) by converging diagnostic criteria from multiple ROI. Multiplane focusing through z-stacked WSI facilitated the teaching of cytological entities characterized by 3D cell clusters and consultative telecytology through robotic cell analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Adequately visualized cytomorphology and multiplane focusing are essential for virtual cytopathology examinations, teaching, or consultative telecytology. Visualization of diagnostic criteria through 2D or 3D imaging is critical. Panoptiq panoramic WSI with integrated z-stacked video clips enables optimal applied telecytology.

Negative Predictive Value and Significance of Benign-Appearing Endometrial Cells in Papanicolaou Tests

OBJECTIVES

Reporting benign-appearing endometrial cells (nEMCs) in Papanicolaou (Pap) smears of women 40 years and older, introduced in The Bethesda System 2001, may be interpreted as an abnormal finding and lead to unnecessary endometrial biopsies. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the negative predictive value (NPV) of this cytology finding.

METHODS

An 11-year database with 1,036,629 Pap test reports and 121,079 surgical pathology reports identified reports of nEMCs in women 40 years and older with follow-up endometrial histopathology within 6 months. Endometrial carcinoma and atypical endometrial hyperplasia were chosen as relevant outcomes. NPVs were calculated. Bayesian modeling assessed the impact of age, bleeding, and postmenopausal status on risk.

RESULTS

NPVs for patients aged 40 to 44 years and 45 to 49 years (99.5% and 99.3%, respectively) were not significantly different. NPVs for patients aged 50 to 54 years, 55 to 59 years, and 60 years and older (97.1%, 95.3%, and 94.5%, respectively) were lower than the NPV for patients aged 40 to 49 years. Bayesian modeling indicated that asymptomatic patients in all age groups 40 years and older have very low risk. Bleeding history increased risk in all age groups, especially in women 50 years and older.

CONCLUSIONS

nEMCs in Pap test reports of women 40 years and older are a normal cytology finding in premenopausal women, which may result in unnecessary endometrial biopsies. The NPV associated with this finding for women aged 40 to 49 years exceeded 99%.

George Papanicolaou's Efforts to Develop Novel Cytologic Methods for the Early Diagnosis of Endometrial Carcinoma

Toward the end of his career, Dr. George Papanicolaou became interested in human endometrial explants placed into tissue culture. The initial focus of his studies was on phagocytic cells emanating from endometrial explants and their role in cleansing the uterine cavity after each menstrual cycle and in sterilizing the uterine cavity in the face of infection. Papanicolaou also observed that growth rates of explanted normal and pathologic endometrial tissues differed considerably. Explants of endometrial malignancies exhibited not only increased growth rates but also visible proliferation of cells with readily identifiable cytologic features of malignancy. Acknowledging that cytologic screening for early diagnosis of intrauterine malignancies had up to that point not proven to be reliable as screening for cervical cancer, he hoped that the tissue culture explant technique could prove to be a new adjunctive diagnostic method for the diagnosis of endometrial and other female genital tract malignancies not readily detectible by other diagnostic procedures. Papanicolaou's untimely death in 1962 cut short his progress in this area of study.

Conventional Pap smear cervical cancer screening in 11 rural counties in Hainan Province, China: analysis of Bethesda system reporting rates for 218,195 women (predominantly ages 35-64 years) screened in China's National Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Rural Areas (NCCSPRA)

OBJECTIVE

Recently the Chinese government has introduced support for cervical screening in rural areas. The College of American Pathologists (CAP)-certified Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics laboratory supported rural screening program in Hainan Providence utilizing low-cost conventional Papanicolaou smears (CPS).

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective study of CPS screening results from 2011 to 2014 in 11 rural counties in Hainan Province. Women, most previously unscreened, volunteered to attend free CPS screening. The targeted population was women aged 35-65 years.

RESULTS

Among total 218,195 conventional Papanicolaou smears, the reported abnormal rate was 4.4% of all smears, with 0.5% for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), 0.9% for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 2.6% for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, and 0.3% for atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Reporting rates for different TBS categories were generally within CAP benchmark ranges, except for low reporting rates for unsatisfactory smears and for atypical glandular cells. Abnormal cytology rates varied among counties. Comparing different age groups, the LSIL rate was significantly higher in women <50 years than in women ≥50 years (1.04% versus 0.64%). The HSIL rate was significantly higher in women ≥40 years than in women <40 years (5.3% versus 0.38%). A total of 2286 women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears had documented colposcopic and histopathologic follow-up. Cervical cancer was diagnosed in 23 of 2286 (1.01%) of screened and biopsied patients. Histopathologic HSIL results were confirmed in 80% of biopsied women with HSIL Papanicolaou tests.

CONCLUSIONS

CPS offered a low cost method to introduce cervical screening in rural China. The international College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation Program provided laboratory quality control standards not otherwise readily available. Educational training programs have been instituted to address areas identified for quality improvement.

Inception and Development of the Papanicolaou Stain Method

OBJECTIVE

Cytodiagnoses of specific malignancies are enabled through analyses of abnormal nuclear chromatin and cytoplasmic features in stained cells.

AIM

The objective of this work was to explore the inception, development, and chemistry of the Pap stain method introduced in 1942 by Dr. G.N. Papanicolaou.

STUDY DESIGN

To achieve this, we carried out a review of the English literature.

RESULTS

Between 1914 and 1933, Papanicolaou first analyzed vaginal squamous cells in guinea pigs and later in human vaginal fluid samples using hematoxylin and eosin with limited color reactions, correlating the cell-type morphology with endocrinology and histology. The 5-dye Pap stain method evolved through 2 salient phases. The first, between 1933 and 1942, saw the introduction of alcohol-ether fixation and aqueous waterblue staining to enhance cellular transparency, aiding the distinction of cervical cancer cells from benign cells, with quantitative and qualitative assessment of squamous cell maturity. The second phase, between 1942 and 1960, saw the introduction and refinement of various alcoholic cytoplasmic counterstaining schemes with orange G and EA (light green, Bismarck brown, eosin) and phosphotungstic acid, allowing wider ranges of polychromasia and further enhancing cellular visualization, facilitating the distinction of cell types and improving diagnostic confidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Development of the Pap stain method followed specific historical and scientific events. The staining method evolved following incremental improvements in cellular transparency achieved through tailored cellular fixation and cytoplasmic staining using variable dye and pH combinations.

How to interpret the results of medical time series data analysis: Classical statistical approaches versus dynamic Bayesian network modeling

BACKGROUND

Classical statistics is a well-established approach in the analysis of medical data. While the medical community seems to be familiar with the concept of a statistical analysis and its interpretation, the Bayesian approach, argued by many of its proponents to be superior to the classical frequentist approach, is still not well-recognized in the analysis of medical data.

AIM

The goal of this study is to encourage data analysts to use the Bayesian approach, such as modeling with graphical probabilistic networks, as an insightful alternative to classical statistical analysis of medical data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This paper offers a comparison of two approaches to analysis of medical time series data: (1) classical statistical approach, such as the Kaplan-Meier estimator and the Cox proportional hazards regression model, and (2) dynamic Bayesian network modeling. Our comparison is based on time series cervical cancer screening data collected at Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center over 10 years.

RESULTS

The main outcomes of our comparison are cervical cancer risk assessments produced by the three approaches. However, our analysis discusses also several aspects of the comparison, such as modeling assumptions, model building, dealing with incomplete data, individualized risk assessment, results interpretation, and model validation.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that the Bayesian approach is (1) much more flexible in terms of modeling effort, and (2) it offers an individualized risk assessment, which is more cumbersome for classical statistical approaches.

Vaginal Cytology Results in Follow-up of Endometrial Carcinoma After Hysterectomy

OBJECTIVES

Our study examined accumulated data on vaginal cytology follow-up results of women treated for endometrial carcinoma (EmCa) by hysterectomy in a large academic women's hospital practice.

METHODS

This study analyzed cases of EmCa treated by hysterectomy from January 2006 to December 2008 with documented follow-up vaginal cytology and/or vaginal biopsy results available prior to September 2013.

RESULTS

Of 607 patients with EmCa who had documented hysterectomy findings, 420 had either follow-up vaginal biopsy or cytology results during a mean follow-up period of 42.5 months, and 414 (98.6%) had at least one vaginal cytology follow-up result. Of 414 patients followed with vaginal cytology results, 48 (11.6%) had biopsy results while 366 (88.4%) had only vaginal cytology results. Recurrent EmCa in the vagina was documented by biopsy in 11 patients, eight within 2 years of hysterectomy. Cytology findings of neoplastic glandular cells triggered diagnostic vaginal biopsies in two of 11 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaginal recurrences of EmCa were diagnosed in 11 (2.6%) of 420 patients with documented vaginal follow-up testing. Abnormal vaginal cytology findings directly led to vaginal biopsy diagnoses of EmCa in two of the 11 patients. Vaginal cytology is no longer a recommended routine surveillance option for detection of vaginal cuff recurrence of EmCa.

Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection in China: Analysis of 671,163 Human Papillomavirus Test Results From China's Largest College of American Pathologists-Certified Laboratory

OBJECTIVES

This study on human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in China's largest independent laboratory accredited by the international Laboratory Accreditation Program of the College of American Pathologists extends previous reports on cervical screening test results from this Chinese facility.

METHODS

A retrospective laboratory database search from 2007 to 2014 documented high-risk HPV test results using either Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2; Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) or multiplex polymerase chain reaction fluorescence testing (MPFT) methods.

RESULTS

During the study period, HPV testing steadily increased, with 643,702 HC2 and 27,641 MPFT HPV tests performed. The mean ages of the tested women were 35.0 years using HC2 and 38.3 years using MPFT. The HC2 HPV-positive rate was 21.7%, significantly higher than 15.7% with MPFT (P < .0001), with bimodal peak incidence in adolescents and women aged 60 to 69 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of HPV testing in cervical screening is increasing in China. HC2 HPV-positive rates around 20% in all age groups from more than 500,000 tested Chinese women are consistent with previous reports from China and significantly higher than published HC2 HPV-positive rates in populations with more widespread cervical screening. MPFT HPV-positive rates were slightly lower in every age group. The high HPV-positive rate likely reflects limited routine cervical screening and high cervical cancer incidence in China.

Follow-up of Women With Negative Pap Test Results and Abnormal Clinical Signs or Symptoms

OBJECTIVES

Abnormal signs or symptoms recorded on Papanicolaou (Pap) test requisitions may reflect disease not detected with Pap testing. Since 2009, these cases have been reviewed in our laboratory by a second cytotechnologist and a cytopathologist. The objective of this study was to document follow-up findings on these patients.

METHODS

A search for Pap test results of "Negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, abnormal clinical signs or symptoms" was performed for cases from January 1, 2009, to October 10, 2013. Clinical information and follow-up findings were documented.

RESULTS

1,104 cases were identified. Signs and symptoms were abnormal bleeding 897 (81%), polyps 83 (8%), pelvic mass 54 (5%), visible cervical lesions 48 (4%), vaginal lesions 17 (2%) and endometrial masses 6 (0.5%). Six hundred sixty-seven (60%) had follow-up results, including 517 with histopathologic diagnoses. Two-hundred thirty-three (45%) had nonspecific benign diagnoses, 216 (42%) had benign tumor-like conditions, 28 (4%) had insufficient specimens, 16 (3%) had precancerous diagnoses and 23 (4%) had malignancies. Endometrial malignancy was identified in 14 (61%), ovarian in 6 (26%), and miscellaneous in 3 (13%). No cervical cancers were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

We report follow-up findings from patients with abnormal clinical signs or symptoms, negative Pap test results, and follow-up recommendations highlighting reported abnormal signs or symptoms. Abnormal clinical signs and symptoms should routinely be considered in assessment and management of patients with negative cervical screening test results.

Pap Test Reporting Rates for Conventional Smear and Liquid-Based Cervical Cytology from the Largest Academic Women's Hospital in China: Analysis of 1,248,785 Pap Test Reports

OBJECTIVE

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University (OGHFU) in Shanghai is the largest academic women's hospital in China. Between 2009 and 2014, the use of liquid-based cytology (LBC) significantly increased while gradually adopting the Bethesda System (TBS), and in 2012 local regulations mandated that pathologists replace technicians to sign out Pap tests.

DESIGN

A retrospective OGHFU database search documented all Pap test reports between 2009 and 2014 by specimen type, either LBC or conventional Pap smears (CPS), and final reporting category. A total of 1,224,785 Pap reports were analyzed to document variations in Pap test reporting during a period of major change in cervical screening in China.

RESULTS

LBC gradually replaced CPS, which declined from over 65% of Pap tests in 2010 to 6.4% in 2014. Of 514,811 Pap reports using the traditional class system, class I (negative) reports accounted for 98.3% of results. With the introduction of TBS reporting, pathologist reviews and substantial replacement of CPS by LBC, the laboratory abnormal Pap test rate increased significantly to almost 5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in cervical cytology reporting between 2009 and 2014 in China's largest academic women's hospital reflected both increased use of LBC and the introduction of pathologist TBS reporting. Abnormality rates increased significantly and fell within CAP benchmark ranges.

Increased cervical cancer risk associated with extended screening intervals after negative human papillomavirus test results: Bayesian risk estimates using the Pittsburgh Cervical Cancer Screening Model

INTRODUCTION

Questions have recently been raised about the acceptability of increased cervical cancer risk projected with the new guideline-recommended rescreening interval of 5 years after negative cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) cotest results. Additional data sources capable of evaluating cervical cancer risk over time are being sought. We employed the continuously updated Bayesian Pittsburgh Cervical Cancer Screening Model (PCCSM) to estimate invasive cancer risks for patients screened at extended screening intervals after negative HPV test results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analyzed database included cervical screening data collected over 10 years (2005-2014) at Magee Womens Hospital with 976,624 liquid-based cytology (LBC) results, 285,351 companion high-risk US Food and Drug Administration-approved HPV test results from LBC vials, and 112,435 follow-up histopathologic results from surgical procedures with cervical tissue sampling. Histopathologic cervical cancer risk estimates for patients with prior double negative results with cervical LBC and from-the-vial HPV cotesting were computed using the PCCSM for women rescreened at intervals ranging from 1 to 9 years. Similar risks were computed for women with any negative HPV test result, not considering cytology results.

RESULTS

Histopathologic invasive cervical cancer risk computed following LBC and HPV cotesting double negative results progressively increased with rescreening intervals of 1 to 9 years. Cervical cancer risks computed following any HPV-negative result, not considering cytology results, were consistently even higher at each comparable extended rescreening interval.

CONCLUSIONS

The PCCSM is a new data source that allows evaluation of cervical cancer risk over time. Cervical cancer risk is minimized with more frequent cytology and HPV cotesting.

Cervical Cytology Reporting Rates from China's Largest College of American Pathologists-Certified Laboratory with a Focus on Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cytology and Its Histopathological Follow-Up Results

OBJECTIVE

No organized cervical screening programs or national cervical cytology quality control standards currently exist in China. This study reported cervical cytology performance in China's largest independent laboratory with accreditation from the College of American Pathologists.

DESIGN

Results from over 2 million Papanicolaou (Pap) tests by the KingMed Diagnostics Laboratory were categorized according to The Bethesda System (TBS) from 2007 and 2014. Pap reports and histopathologic follow-up results of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Data on 676,445 conventional Pap smears (CPS) and 1,696,284 liquid-based cytology (LBC) specimens were available. Abnormality rates reported were significantly higher with LBC than with CPS in all TBS categories (p < 0.001). A total of 800 SCC cytology reports were identified, representing a laboratory SCC reporting rate of 0.0337%. The SCC reporting rate with LBC (0.0457%) was significantly higher than the reporting rate with CPS. Histopathologic invasive cervical carcinoma and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 were diagnosed in 80.7 and 17.6% of the 119 patients with SCC Pap cytology.

CONCLUSIONS

Reporting rates for most TBS categories from this CAP-accredited laboratory in China were within the CAP benchmark ranges except for low atypical glandular cell and unsatisfactory case rates. Histological follow-up results in patients with SCC cytology reports demonstrate very high specificity of SCC Pap cytology.

The Role of High-Risk Human Papilloma Virus Testing in the Surveillance of Cervical Cancer After Treatment

Context

Cervical cancer affects 12 000 women in the United States annually. However, despite its prevalence, there remains no good methodology to detect its recurrence.

Objective

To identify the role of cervicovaginal high-risk human papilloma virus (hr-HPV) testing in predicting cervical cancer recurrence.

Design

This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent hr-HPV testing as part of their routine surveillance for cervical cancer. Standard statistical analyses, including χ2 test and multivariable logistic regression, were performed with IBM SPSS 19.0.

Results

A total of 133 patients were identified, of whom 107 (80%) had squamous cell carcinoma. Ninety patients (68%) had bulky disease and were treated primarily with chemoradiation and brachytherapy. Of patients whose disease recurred, 5 patients (42%) had tested positive for hr-HPV during their surveillance period, compared to 13 patients (11%) for whom disease did not recur (relative risk: 3.88, P = .002). On multivariate logistic regression, hr-HPV status remained significantly predictive of disease recurrence (odds ratio: 12.3, P = .02, 95% confidence interval: 1.5–99.6). Using 2 × 2 table analysis, we found that while cervicovaginal cytology has limited specificity (5.7%) in predicting recurrence, the combination of cytology with hr-HPV testing increases the specificity of testing to 89.3%.

Conclusions

Persistence of hr-HPV is a risk factor for disease recurrence. High-risk–HPV testing is not routinely used during surveillance for cervical cancer, but this study suggests that large, prospective trials investigating the role of hr-HPV testing in cervical cancer surveillance are needed.

Prevalence of HPV 16/18 genotypes and histopathologic follow-up outcomes in women with negative cytology and positive high-risk HPV test results

INTRODUCTION

Management of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive/cytology-negative patients has represented a special challenge ever since the introduction in 2003 of routine cytology and HPV cotesting of women 30 years and older. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval in 2009 of an HPV 16/18 genotyping test, guidelines have included an HPV 16/18 genotyping triage option for identifying high-risk HPV-positive/cytology-negative patients who would benefit from immediate colposcopic referral.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective database search was conducted to identify patients with HPV-positive/cytology-negative results between May 1, 2010 and June 30, 2013 in an academic women's hospital practice in which clinical staff consented to routine HPV 16/18 genotyping triage testing of women 30 years and older with HPV-positive/cytology-negative results.

RESULTS

Of 824 cytology-negative/HPV-positive cases with valid HPV 16/18 genotyping results, positive results were obtained in 101 (12.3%). HPV 16 was detected most frequently (9.1%), followed by HPV 18 (2.4%) and both 16 and 18 (0.7%). Histopathologic follow-up results were documented over an average of 3.5 months (range 0.5 to 22.5) in 51 patients with HPV-positive/cytology-negative/HPV 16/18-positive results; cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 biopsy diagnoses were reported in 4 of 51 (7.8%). Previously we reported cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ diagnoses in 2.4% of 849 high-risk HPV-positive/cytology-negative patients followed for almost 2 years without HPV 16/18 genotype testing.

CONCLUSIONS

These initial routine clinical practice findings are consistent with data from both long-term research studies and recent shorter term clinical trials indicating enhanced risk stratification of HPV-positive/cytology negative patients with HPV 16/18 genotype testing. This is the first report of the application of this option in a routine clinical practice setting.

Point-Counterpoint: Cervical Cancer Screening Should Be Done by Primary Human Papillomavirus Testing with Genotyping and Reflex Cytology for Women over the Age of 25 Years

Screening for cervical cancer with cytology testing has been very effective in reducing cervical cancer in the United States. For decades, the approach was an annual Pap test. In 2000, the Hybrid Capture 2 human papillomavirus (HPV) test was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for screening women who have atypical squamous cells of underdetermined significance (ASCUS) detected by Pap test to determine the need for colposcopy. In 2003, the FDA approved expanding the use of the test to include screening performed in conjunction with a Pap test for women over the age of 30 years, referred to as "cotesting." Cotesting allows women to extend the testing interval to 3 years if both tests have negative results. In April of 2014, the FDA approved the use of an HPV test (the cobas HPV test) for primary cervical cancer screening for women over the age of 25 years, without the need for a concomitant Pap test. The approval recommended either colposcopy or a Pap test for patients with specific high-risk HPV types detected by the HPV test. This was based on the results of the ATHENA trial, which included more than 40,000 women. Reaction to this decision has been mixed. Supporters point to the fact that the primary-screening algorithm found more disease (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 or worse [CIN3+]) and also found it earlier than did cytology or cotesting. Moreover, the positive predictive value and positive-likelihood ratio of the primary-screening algorithm were higher than those of cytology. Opponents of the decision prefer cotesting, as this approach detects more disease than the HPV test alone. In addition, the performance of this new algorithm has not been assessed in routine clinical use. Professional organizations will need to develop guidelines that incorporate this testing algorithm. In this Point-Counterpoint, Dr. Stoler explains why he favors the primary-screening algorithm, while Drs. Austin and Zhao explain why they prefer the cotesting approach to screening for cervical cancer.

Bethesda System reporting rates for conventional Papanicolaou tests and liquid-based cytology in a large Chinese, College of American Pathologists-certified independent medical laboratory: analysis of 1394389 Papanicolaou test reports

CONTEXT

Reports that use the Bethesda System categories for Chinese Papanicolaou test results are rare.

OBJECTIVE

To document and analyze rates reported in the Bethesda System for conventional Papanicolaou tests and liquid-based cytology between 2007 and 2012 in China's largest College of American Pathologists-accredited laboratory.

DESIGN

Results from 1,394,389 Papanicolaou tests, rendered between 2007 and 2012 by the Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Cytology Laboratory, were documented by the Bethesda System report categories and Papanicolaou test methodology, which included both conventional Papanicolaou tests and 4 different liquid-based cytology preparations.

RESULTS

Results were documented for 326,297 conventional Papanicolaou tests and 1,068,092 liquid-based cytology specimens, which included 928,884 ThinPrep (Hologic, Bedford, Massachusetts), 63,465 SurePath (BD Diagnostics, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey), 50,422 Liqui-Prep (LGM International, Melbourne, Florida), and 25,321 Lituo liquid-cytology (Lituo Biotechnology Co, Hunan, China) specimens. Abnormality rates reported were significantly higher with liquid-based cytology than they were with conventional Papanicolaou tests in all the Bethesda System categories (P < .001). Reporting rates were within the 2006 benchmark ranges from the College of American Pathologists, except for atypical glandular cells (low) and unsatisfactory rates for conventional Papanicolaou tests (low).

CONCLUSION

Participation in the international College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation Program provides laboratory quality standards not otherwise available in many international settings.

Comparison of cervical cancer screening results among 256,648 women in multiple clinical practices

BACKGROUND

In the United States, human papillomavirus (HPV) and Papanicolaou (Pap) testing (cotesting) for cervical screening in women ages 30 to 65 years is the preferred strategy, and cytology alone is acceptable. Recently, a proprietary automated test for identifying high-risk HPV types for primary cervical screening was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The objective of the current study was to document extensive cervical screening among these screening options.

METHODS

To investigate the sensitivity of various testing options for biopsy-proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse (≥CIN3) and cancer, the authors reviewed 256,648 deidentified results from women ages 30 to 65 years at the time of cotest who had a cervical biopsy specimen obtained within 1 year of the cotest.

RESULTS

A positive cotest result was more sensitive (98.8%; 4040 of 4090 cotests) for diagnosing ≥CIN3 than either a positive HPV-only test (94%; 3845 of 4090 HPV-only tests) or a positive Pap-only test (91.3%; 3734 of 4090 Pap-only tests; P <. 0001). A positive Pap-only result was more specific (26.3%; 66,145 of 251,715 Pap-only tests) for diagnosing ≥CIN3 than a positive HPV-only test (25.6%; 64,625 of 252,556 HPV-only tests) or a positive cotest (10.9%; 27,578 of 252,558 cotests; P <. 0001). Of 526 cervical cancers, 98 (18.6%) were HPV-only negative, 64 (12.2%) were Pap-only negative, and 29 (5.5%) were cotest negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with HPV-only testing, cotesting was more sensitive for the detection of ≥CIN3 in women ages 30 to 65 years. The current data suggest that approximately 19% of women with cervical cancer may be misdiagnosed by an HPV-only cervical screen. It is important to consider these data as the guidelines for cervical cancer screening undergo revision. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2015;123:282–8. © 2015 The Authors. Cancer Cytopathology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Cancer Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.

Follow-up outcomes in a large cohort of patients with HPV-negative LSIL cervical screening test results

OBJECTIVES

Cervical screening guidelines now recommend repeat cotesting of patients aged 30 years and older having a human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) in 1 year as preferred management. Only limited follow-up data on patients with HPV-negative LSILs are available from routine US clinical practice settings.

METHODS

In total, 680 patients with Hybrid Capture 2 (Qiagen, Hinden, Germany) high-risk HPV-negative LSIL ThinPrep (Hologic, Marlborough, MA) results were identified. Patients' ages and histopathologic, cytologic, and HPV follow-up results were identified.

RESULTS

Among 680 patients with HPV-negative LSILs, 468 had follow-up within 1 year. During the study period, 14 (3.0%) of 468 had follow-up high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and 184 (39.3%) LSIL findings. No diagnoses of cervical carcinoma were documented. There were no significant follow-up differences between age groups. Of the 321 patients who had follow-up HPV testing, 271 (84.4%) had negative and 50 (15.6%) had positive HPV results.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest study documenting follow-up results for patients with HPV-negative LSIL results based on prevalent US FDA-approved co-testing methods from one collection vial. These data document that risk for follow-up HSILs in these patients is low and also that no cervical cancers were diagnosed. These findings support recent recommendations for repeat co-testing after 1 year as an appropriate option for patients with HPV-negative LSIL results.

PPV of an HSIL cervical cytology result in China's largest CAP-certified laboratory

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer remains a major health problem in China, where no uniform national standards for cervical cytology quality control exist. This study extends previously reported findings on cervical cytology performance in China's largest independent laboratory to have achieved accreditation under the international Laboratory Accreditation Program of the College of American Pathologists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study identified high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cervical cytology reports between 2007 and 2013 from the Cytology Laboratory, Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics. Four liquid-based cytology (LBC) preparations were used in 73% of cases and conventional Papanicolaou tests (CPT) in 27%. Follow-up histopathologic diagnoses after HSIL reports were identified in the laboratory database. The positive predictive value for laboratory HSIL cytology results was determined for follow-up histopathologic diagnoses of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or worse (CIN2+), a recognized international quality control monitor.

RESULTS

Of 1,804,108 cervical cytology reports, 11,929 HSIL reports (0.66%) were identified. The LBC HSIL rate was 0.79%, which was higher than the CPT HSIL rate of 0.33% (P < 0.001). Follow-up CIN2+ histopathologic diagnoses within 6 months after HSIL were identified in 1994 of 2414 patients (82.6%), including 1860 of 2246 LBC HSIL (82.8%) and 134 of 168 CPT HSIL (79.8%). Cervical cancers were diagnosed on follow-up in 244 of 2414 HSIL cases (10.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

The positive predictive value of HSIL cervical cytology results for follow-up histopathologic CIN2+ was within currently recognized benchmark ranges for cytology laboratories. The high rate of cervical cancer diagnoses likely reflects the largely unscreened population. The College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation Program provided quality standards not otherwise available in many international settings.

Is 58% sensitivity for detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 and invasive cervical cancer optimal for cervical screening?

Recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a Roche cobas human papillomavirus (HPV) test application as a first line primary cervical screening tool in women 25 and older introduces a new era of complex cervical screening choices. Perhaps the most surprising findings in Roche's supporting ATHENA trial data were the unexpectedly low verification bias-adjusted CIN3+ sensitivities documented by the FDA for both the proposed cobas HPV testing algorithm (58.26%) and Pap testing algorithm (42.63%). These unexpectedly low sensitivity estimates suggest intuitively that there is still considerable room for improvement in cervical screening, and available data from large systems point to routine cytology and HPV co-testing as offering the greatest protection against development of cervical cancer. Observational studies of large populations screened over time remain essential to document actual protection from development of cervical cancer with any new cervical screening options, as natural history studies and available data from large systems indicate that most CIN2/3 cases detected in short term clinical trials would not progress to invasive cervical cancer. Interpretation of ATHENA trial data and its application to routine clinical practice is further limited by published studies which document that a significant proportion of CIN2/3 biopsy diagnoses in the ATHENA trial could not be confirmed as accurate when evaluated with p16 immunohistochemistry and that cytology laboratory performance in the trial was notably suboptimal.

The impact of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 on cytopathology practice: a 25th anniversary review

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 were passed into law on October 31, 1988; regulations implementing this law have had a dramatic impact on the practice of cytology as well as the operations of the entire laboratory. Articles in the popular press followed by congressional hearings exposed faulty laboratory practices, with false-negative Pap tests being a major focus. The impact of this law on the cytology profession is reviewed in this paper. We discuss the response by professional organizations and laboratories to proposed regulations, including formation of consortium groups, development of interlaboratory comparison programs, and more stringent laboratory accreditation and inspection procedures. Public perceptions related to false-negative Pap tests and the litigation crisis are reviewed, as well as the development of new technologies that would improve test accuracy. Finally, the role of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee in advising the government on laboratory regulations and cytology proficiency testing is discussed. Many of the regulations have promoted quality practices and cytology accuracy, but others have proven relatively inflexible and may have blocked innovation.

Brush cytology of the fallopian tube and implications in ovarian cancer screening

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine whether fallopian tube epithelial cells adequate for cytopathology can be obtained via a minimally invasive approach using brush cytology.

DESIGN

Prospective feasibility study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).

SETTING

Tertiary-care university-based teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Ten patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy, with or without adnexal surgery, because of benign indications.

INTERVENTIONS

Attempted hysteroscopic and laparoscopic brush cytologic sampling of the fallopian tubes.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

ThinPrep slides and cell blocks were prepared and analyzed. P53 and KI-67 immunostaining was performed on cell block specimens if adequate cellularity was present. The first 5 patients underwent attempted hysteroscopic sampling of the fallopian tube, with successful collection only in 1 patient. The protocol was then modified to enable sampling of the fallopian tube laparoscopically as well as hysteroscopically. In the other 5 patients sampling of the fallopian tubes was successful laparoscopically, including successful sampling hysteroscopically in 1 patient. The brush biopsy catheter could not be passed through the entire length of the fallopian tube in either the hysteroscopic or laparoscopic approach. All cytologic findings were interpreted as benign, although findings of nuclear overlapping, crowding, and small nucleoli were initially considered benign atypia. Immunohistochemistry for P53 and KI-67 yielded uniformly negative findings.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe endoscopic brush cytology of the fallopian tubes with correlated cytologic narrative. In the future, cytologic sampling of the fallopian tube may have implications for an ovarian cancer screening test.

Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL-H) is a unique category of cytologic abnormality associated with distinctive HPV and histopathologic CIN 2+ detection rates

OBJECTIVES

To examine data correlating high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) results in patients with both low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H) cytology findings (LSIL-H) with follow-up histopathology.

METHODS

A total of 494 LSIL-H ThinPrep (Hologic, Marlborough, MA) cases with hrHPV testing were identified. Histopathologic follow-up was available in 347 patients.

RESULTS

Among 347 patients with follow-up histopathology after LSIL-H cytology and hrHPV testing, 90.5% tested hrHPV positive. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 was diagnosed in 29.4% and CIN 1 in 53.6%. CIN 2/3 was diagnosed in significantly more patients with hrHPV-positive LSIL-H than following hrHPV-negative LSIL-H results. Compared with published institutional data, LSIL-H had significantly lower hrHPV and histopathologic CIN 2/3+ rates (90.5% and 29.4%, with no cervical cancers) than high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (95.7% and 70.5%, with 2.4% cervical cancers) but higher rates than LSIL (80.2% and 12.9%) or atypical squamous cells/cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H) (54.3% and 17.2%). Whereas CIN 2/3 detection rates were similar in HPV-positive LSIL-H and HPV-positive ASC-H, CIN 2/3 findings were more likely with HPV-negative LSIL-H than with HPV-negative ASC-H.

CONCLUSIONS

LSIL-H is a unique category of cytologic abnormality associated with distinctive hrHPV and CIN 2/3+ diagnostic rates.

Human papillomavirus testing and cytologic/histopathologic "test of cure" follow-up results after excisional treatment for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

INTRODUCTION

Recently published guidelines now specifically recommend cytology and HPV cotesting as follow-up after high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3) excision.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 988 patients with CIN 2/3 treated by excision between July 2005 and December 2009 were identified with available "test of cure" follow-up results over an average of 36 months. Average age was 32 years.

RESULTS

CIN 2/3 was reported during follow-up in 67 of 988 (6.8%) patients; 45 of 67 (67.2%) follow-up CIN 2/3 diagnoses were within 2 years of excision. Post-treatment CIN 2/3 was significantly more likely after initial CIN 3 grade, positive excision margins, and human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive follow-up results, but not significantly associated in this cohort with age. A total of 514 women had follow-up HPV tests, and 32.3% had at least 1 HPV-positive result. Post-treatment CIN 2/3 was diagnosed in 24 of 165 (14.5%) patients with at least 1 follow-up HPV-positive result and in 6 of 349 (1.7%) with only follow-up HPV-negative results. No HPV-negative/cytology-negative follow-up results were documented among 30 post-treatment patients later developing recurrent CIN 2/3.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytology and HPV cotesting facilitates early intervention during follow-up after CIN 2/3 excision.

Cytologic findings in experimental in vivo fallopian tube brush specimens

OBJECTIVE

The fallopian tube is now recognized as a primary source of precursor neoplastic lesions for pelvic serous adenocarcinomas. Cytologic features of fallopian tube brushings from low-risk patients have not been well described.

STUDY DESIGN

We describe the cytomorphology of tubal epithelium from prospectively collected experimental in vivo brushings from normal fallopian tubes of 7 low-risk patients. Liquid-based cytology slides and cell blocks were prepared and reviewed on all specimens.

RESULTS

Fifteen brush cytology specimens were obtained, ten by laparoscopy, four by hysteroscopy and one following hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy on an ex vivo specimen. Variable cytologic features were documented for background, cellularity, cellular architecture, cilia, nuclear overlap, mitoses, nuclear pleomorphism, nuclear membrane changes and nucleoli. Negative P53 and Ki-67 stain results were documented in available cell blocks. Histopathologic salpingectomy findings and clinical follow-up were benign.

CONCLUSION

Moderate nuclear pleomorphism and nuclear overlap, prominent single and multiple nucleoli and background granular debris were common challenging cytologic findings in fallopian tube brushings from low-risk patients. With experience, cellular changes can be recognized as benign. Recognition of the range of normal fallopian tube cytology should help to minimize false-positive interpretations of cytology specimens obtained in association with risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomies.

Cervical screening test results associated with 265 histopathologic diagnoses of cervical glandular neoplasia

OBJECTIVES

To document screening test histories of women with histopathologic cervical glandular neoplasia (CGN) in a large integrated health system using new methods of cervical screening.

METHODS

Cervical screening test results were reviewed for 265 patients with histopathologic diagnoses of CGN, including 168 adenocarcinoma in situ, 80 invasive cervical adenocarcinoma, and 17 invasive cervical adenosquamous carcinoma cases.

RESULTS

Among 222 cases with known triggers of diagnostic studies, 211 (95%) had recent abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) test results. Glandular cell abnormalities were the most common recent abnormal Pap test finding in 130 (61.6%) of 211; squamous cell abnormalities alone were documented in 81 (38.4%) of 211, reflecting coexisting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in 60% of CGN cases. Among 114 CGN cases with additional Pap tests more than 4 months to 3 years before CGN diagnosis, 70 (61.4%) had only earlier negative Pap test results. Among 72 CGN cases with recent human papillomavirus (HPV) test results, 70 (97.2%) tested HPV positive. Among 29 CGN cases with HPV test results more than 4 months to 3 years before CGN diagnosis, 25 (86.2%) tested HPV positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative cytologic screening practices and HPV cotesting can facilitate early diagnoses of CGN.

Abdominopelvic washings: A comprehensive review

Intraperitoneal spread may occur with gynecological epithelial neoplasms, as well as with non-gynecological malignancies, which may result in serosal involvement with or without concomitant effusion. Therefore, washings in patients with abdominopelvic tumors represent important specimens for cytologic examination. They are primarily utilized for staging ovarian cancers, although their role has decreased in staging of endometrial and cervical carcinoma. Abdominopelvic washings can be positive in a variety of pathologic conditions, including benign conditions, borderline neoplastic tumors, locally invasive tumors, or distant metastases. In a subset of cases, washings can be diagnostically challenging due to the presence of co-existing benign cells (e.g., mesothelial hyperplasia, endosalpingiosis, or endometriosis), lesions in which there is only minimal atypia (e.g., serous borderline tumors) or scant atypical cells, and the rarity of specific tumor types (e.g., mesothelioma). Ancillary studies including immunocytochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization may be required in difficult cases to resolve the diagnosis. This article provides a comprehensive and contemporary review of abdominopelvic washings in the evaluation of gynecologic and non-gynecologic tumors, including primary peritoneal and mesothelial entities.