Risk of residual disease and invasive carcinoma in women treated for adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix

Nationwide cohort study on the risk of high-grade cervical dysplasia and carcinoma after conservative treatment or hysterectomy for adenocarcinoma in situ

Internationally, little consensus exists about the best treatment for cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). This study aimed to determine the incidence of recurrent high-grade cervical dysplasia and development of local cervical cancer after treatment for AIS. This nationwide, retrospective cohort study included patients with AIS, who were treated by a large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), cold-knife conization (CKC), or hysterectomy between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 2021 in the Netherlands. Pathology reports were retrieved from the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank (Palga). Primary outcomes were the cumulative incidences of high-grade cervical dysplasia (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3, and AIS) and local cervical cancer up to 20 years after primary treatment. In total, 4243 patients with AIS were included. The primary treatment was a LLETZ, CKC, or hysterectomy in 1593, 2118, and 532 patients, respectively. The incidence of recurrent high-grade cervical dysplasia after LLETZ (10.5%; 95%CI: 8.6-12.3) was higher than after CKC (5.5%; 95%CI: 4.4-6.6, p <.0001). When a radical excision, that is, surgical margins free of dysplasia at end of treatment, was achieved, the incidence of recurrent high-grade dysplasia and local cervical cancer did not differ between LLETZ (5.6% [95%CI: 3.3-7.9] and 1.9% [95%CI: 0-4.4]) and CKC (4.7% [95%CI: 3.5-5.8], p = .631 and 1.5% [95%CI: 0.7-2.3], p = .918). After hysterectomy, none of the patients developed cervical dysplasia or local cervical cancer. Conservative treatment for AIS can be considered a safe and final treatment modality when a radical excision is achieved.

Follow-up of women with cervical adenocarcinoma in situ treated by conization: A single centre clinical experience

OBJECTIVE

Hysterectomy has been the historical gold standard final step in the treatment algorithm of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) recommended by most North American colposcopy guidelines. AIS disproportionately affects young childbearing age women, therefore a fertility sparing treatment option is desirable. Our study examines the impact of conservative treatment of AIS with conization followed by serial surveillance.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was completed of patients treated for AIS from 2006 to 2020. Charts were identified by pathologic diagnosis of AIS on cervical and uterine specimens. Charts were excluded if AIS was not treated with conization, if AIS was not confirmed on initial conization specimen, or if invasive disease was found at initial conization.

RESULTS

121 patient charts were analyzed. Median age of patients at first conization and hysterectomy was 34.8 and 40.9, respectively. First conization was by Cold Knife Cone in 58% of patients, and by Loop Electrosurgical Excisional Procedure in 42% of patients. Median follow-up period in our study was 609 days. 5% of patients had recurrence, with only one patient who recurred as cancer. One case of recurrence had a positive initial conization margin. Median time to recurrence was 700 days. 47% of patients underwent eventual hysterectomy. Residual AIS was found in 23% of hysterectomy specimens. Adenocarcinoma was diagnosed on hysterectomy specimen in four patients.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates the oncologic safety of treating AIS with conization and serial surveillance. Routine hysterectomy completed as a part of the AIS treatment algorithm, as in current clinical guidelines, is unnecessary.

Adenocarcinoma In Situ of the Uterine Cervix (AIS) Treated by Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure Strategy: An Observational Study

OBJECTIVES

Evaluation of the results of treatment of adenocarcinoma in situ by loop electrosurgical excision procedure and the safety of a conservative strategy.

METHODS

Identification of all cases of adenocarcinoma in situ treated by loop electrosurgical excision procedure at our institution and follow-up by a conservative strategy. Completeness of the identification of all cases was secured by data from the National Pathology Registry. The treatment strategy was based on cytologic follow-up performed by a general practitioner and, irrespective of margin status of the cone, only the results of the postoperative surveillance were indicative of further treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 224 patients were identified. The overall recurrence rate with a mean follow-up time of 87.8 months was 7.6% (17/224). The recurrence rate in patients with involved margins was significantly higher than in patients with uninvolved margins, 15.7% vs 5.2%, respectively. Six recurrences were diagnosed at first examination 6 months postconization in patients with involved margins. They were treated with hysterectomy in 4 cases and reconization in 1 case. If involvement of margins alone had been an indication of further therapy (hysterectomy or reconization) immediately after conization, the conservative management strategy prevented 46 surgical procedures. Two cases of invasive cancer were diagnosed during follow-up, 150 months and 196 months after primary treatment, and after normal follow-up examinations. These 2 cases must be considered de novo cases and cannot be considered treatment failures.

CONCLUSION

The conservative management strategy thus seems safe, and unnecessary surgical procedures were avoided.

Comparison of the safety between cervical conization and hysterectomy for patients with cervical adenocarcinoma in situ

OBJECTIVE

To compare the safety between cervical conization (CC) alone and hysterectomy for patients with adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the cervix.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with AIS after CC during 2007-2021 were identified by computerized databases at Women's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. A total of 453 AIS patients were divided into 2 groups according to uterus preservation: hysterectomy group (n=300) and CC(s) alone group (n=153). The prevalence of residual disease and disease recurrence was compared between patients treated by CC(s) alone and hysterectomy. The prevalence of residual disease in specimens from women who had a hysterectomy and repeat CC were compared between positive and negative margins of CC. The factors influencing residual disease and disease recurrence were assessed.

RESULTS

Among 310 specimens from women who had a hysterectomy or repeat CC, the prevalence of residual disease was 50.6% (45/89) for a positive margin and 2.3% (5/221) for a negative margin (p=0.000). Four patients had recurrence of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia in those treated by hysterectomy and one had recurrence of cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia in those treated by CC(s) alone. The prevalence of recurrence was 0.7% (1/153) for CC(s) alone and 1.3% (4/300) for hysterectomy (p=0.431). Hysterectomy did not influence residual disease or disease recurrence.

CONCLUSION

CC is an efficacious and safe option for patients with AIS of the cervix provided the margin is negative.

Predictors of treatment failure for adenocarcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix: Up to 14 years of recorded follow‑up

The incidence of adenocarcinoma-in-situ (AIS) of the uterine cervix is rising, with invasive adenocarcinoma becoming increasingly common relative to squamous cell carcinoma. The present study reviewed a cohort of 84 patients first-time treated by conization for histologically-confirmed AIS from January 2001 to January 2017, to identify risk factors associated with recurrent/persistent AIS as well as progression to invasive cervical cancer. Nearly 80% of the patients were age 40 or younger at conization. Endocervical and ectocervical margins were deemed clear in 42 of the patients. All but two patients had ≥1 follow-up, with post-conization high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) results documented in 52 patients. Altogether, 12 histopathologically-confirmed recurrences (14.3%) were detected; two of these patients had microinvasive or invasive carcinoma. In three other patients cytology showed AIS, but without recorded histopathology. Eight patients underwent hysterectomy for incomplete resection very soon after primary conization; they were not included in bivariate or multivariate analyses. Having ≥1 post-follow-up positive HPV finding yielded the highest sensitivity for histologically-confirmed recurrence: 87.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 47.4-99.7]. Current or historical smoking status provided highest specificity: 94.4 (95% CI 72.7-99.9) and overall accuracy: 88.0 (95% CI 68.8-97.5) for histologically-confirmed recurrence. With multiple logistic regression (MLR), adjusting for age at conization and abnormal follow-up cytology, positive HPV18 was the strongest predictor of histologically-confirmed recurrence (P<0.005). Having ≥2 positive HPV results also predicted recurrence (P<0.02). Any unclear margin yielded an odds ratio 7.21 (95% CI 1.34-38.7) for histologically-confirmed recurrence adjusting for age, but became non-significant when including abnormal cytology in the MLR model. The strong predictive value of HPV, particularly HPV18 and persistent HPV positivity vis-à-vis detected recurrence indicated that regular HPV testing for patients treated for AIS is imperative. In conclusion, furthering a participatory approach, including attention to smoking with encouragement to attend needed long-term follow-up, can better protect these patients at high risk for cervical cancer.

Atypical glandular cells (AGC): Cytology of glandular lesions of the uterine cervix

The Pap smear is a well-known screening tool for squamous lesions of the uterine cervix. However, its screening role in glandular lesions is less effective. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix has dramatically decreased with the advent of Pap smear and recent understanding related to HPV carcinogenesis of cervical cancers including the advent of HPV vaccines. However, in recent years, the incidence of glandular abnormalities, diagnosed on Pap smears, has increased with greater sensitivity and precision. The incidence of atypical glandular cells (AGC) is approximately 0.18-0.74% of all cervical smears with a reported prevalence of 2.5% among all Pap smears. A high degree of suspicion, good clinical history, and the presence of diagnostic cytomorphological findings are essential for the proper interpretation of glandular cell abnormalities. A methodical approach to evaluate Pap smear greatly helps interpretation and avoids the diagnostic pitfalls. The Bethesda System for reporting cervical cytology has categorized glandular cell abnormalities into various categories as follows: Endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)Atypical glandular cells (AGCs) Endocervical cells: a1 NOS or specify in comments; a2 Favor neoplasticEndometrial cells: NOS or specify in comments Adenocarcinoma (AdCa) EndocervicalEndometrialExtrauterineNOS Subtle differences in quantitative and qualitative cytologic features are essential for distinguishing one category from another. In this chapter, we highlight an organized approach for the interpretation of glandular abnormalities in Pap smear for our readers. This is an overview of the Bethesda categories, the reason for classification, and differential diagnosis with key characteristic features. An approach to the methodical evaluation of hyperchromatic crowded groups is discussed with key cytomorphologic differences. An algorithmic approach is suggested to facilitate the interpretation of various AGC categories.

Margin Status Post Cervical Conization Predicts Residual Adenocarcinoma In Situ (AIS) and Occult Adenocarcinoma in a Predominantly Hispanic Population

Background: Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the cervix, is increasing in incidence, particularly in women of reproductive age. Fertility preservation is often desired. In a predominantly Hispanic population, we sought to determine the incidence of occult cervical cancer co-existing with AIS, and evaluate how conization margin status correlates with residual disease upon hysterectomy. Methods: A retrospective study utilizing a comprehensive cancer center database was conducted. Data from patients with histologically proven AIS of the cervix were abstracted. Results: Of 47 patients that met the criteria, 23 (49%) were Hispanic, 21 (45%) were White, two (4%) were Asian, and one (2%) was Black. The median age was 37. Forty-two patients underwent cervical conizations; 13/42 (48%) had positive margins upon conization; 28/42 (67%) underwent hysterectomies. Furthermore, 6/13 (46%) patients with positive conization margins had residual disease in hysterectomy specimens, with 2/13 (15%) found to have invasive cancer. In contrast, 0/14 (0%) of patients with negative margins had residual disease (p = 0.036, Chi-squared 4.41, df = 1). In total, 2/27 (7%) patients who underwent hysterectomies had invasive cancer (7%). Conclusions: Positive margins upon cervical conization for AIS of the cervix were correlated with a relatively high rate of residual AIS and occult invasive cancer. Negative conization margins were correlated with no residual disease. Those patients may be candidates for fertility-sparing treatment.

Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes After Conservative Management of Adenocarcinoma In Situ of the Cervix

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of women who underwent conservative management of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with AIS at a single tertiary institution between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2019. We collected demographic data, AIS-specific information, and fertility outcomes and performed bivariate analyses to compare demographic characteristics and AIS-specific information between patients with and without hysterectomy after diagnosis. Patients with conservative management who achieved pregnancy were described.

RESULTS

Among 87 patients with AIS, 38 (44%) underwent a hysterectomy within 6 months of diagnosis and 49 (56%) underwent conservative management. Six of 19 patients (32%) had residual AIS despite undergoing definitive management after an excisional procedure with negative margins and negative endocervical curettage (ECC). Nine of 19 patients (47%) had residual AIS after an excisional procedure with positive margins and/or a positive ECC. Patients who opted for conservative management were younger (median = 31.6 [interquartile range = 27.4-34.9] vs 38.5 y [32.3-44.8 y], p < .001) and nulligravid. Among patients with conservative management, there were 15 pregnancies and 14 live births (29%). Seven were preterm, although 2 were for medical indications.

CONCLUSIONS

Residual AIS in patients with negative margins and ECC leading to definitive hysterectomy (32%) and the rate of preterm birth (36%) were higher than previous reports and nationally reported rates. However, only 1 patient had a preterm birth before 34 weeks. These findings reflect important information for counseling patients who elect for conservative management of AIS.

Cervical Stratified Mucin-Producing Intraepithelial Lesion: A Systematic Review of Diagnosis and Management

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the study were to synthesize reported associations of stratified mucin-producing intraepithelial lesion (SMILE) of the cervix with other dysplasia lesions and immunohistochemical (IHC) stains, compare expected patterns of IHC staining to other lesions in the differential diagnosis, and assess follow-up pathology.

METHODS

This systematic review includes all case reports and case series of cervical lesions consistent with SMILE based on the histologic diagnosis described in the original case series. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database were searched through June 2019. Immunohistochemical analysis, concurrent lesions, and pathology on follow-up were compiled for comparison. Weighted averages of concurrent lesions were calculated.

RESULTS

Nine case reports and case series were included, published between 2000 and 2019. Of 9 studies, 6 and 5 studies reported strong, diffuse staining of p16 and increased expression of Ki-67, respectively. Stratified mucin-producing intraepithelial lesion is associated with human papillomavirus, especially type 18. The weighted average risk of concurrent high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion was 79% (range = 33%-93%), adenocarcinoma in situ 39% (2.9%-92%), adenocarcinoma 5% (1%-25%), and squamous cell carcinoma 6% (0%-11%). Patients underwent follow-up ranging from repeat Pap to radical hysterectomy, with pathology on follow-up infrequently and irregularly reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Stratified mucin-producing intraepithelial lesion is a rare lesion with a paucity of research on necessary cytology and IHC stains for diagnosis, but p16 and Ki-67 IHC stains can be performed to rule out benign lesions. The lesion is associated with high risk of concurrent high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, adenocarcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma, but studies on the risk of pursuing fertility-preserving management are needed.

Diagnosis and Management of Adenocarcinoma in Situ: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology Evidence-Based Review and Recommendations

Cervical adenocarcinoma in situ is a unique diagnosis whose management needs to be differentiated from the management of the more prevalent squamous cell dysplasia.

This publication represents an extensive literature review with the goal of providing guidelines for the evaluation and management of cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). The authors drafted the guidelines on behalf of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, and the guidelines have been reviewed and endorsed by the ASCCP. These guidelines harmonize with the ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines and provide more specific guidance beyond that provided by the ASCCP guidelines. Examples of updates include recommendations to optimize the diagnostic excisional specimen, AIS management in the setting of positive compared with negative margins on the excisional specimen, surveillance and definitive management after fertility-sparing treatment, and management of AIS in pregnancy. The increasing incidence of AIS, its association with human papillomavirus–18 infection, challenges in diagnosis owing to frequent origin within the endocervical canal, and the possibility of skip lesions all make AIS a unique diagnosis whose management needs to be differentiated from the management of the more prevalent squamous cell dysplasia.

Clinicopathological Characteristics of Atypical Glandular Cells Determined by Cervical Cytology in Japan: Survey of Gynecologic Oncology Data from the Obstetrical Gynecological Society of Kinki District, Japan

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of, and the clinical approach used to identify, atypical glandular cells (AGCs) in Japan based on cervical cytology screening.

OBJECTIVES

This study included 1,254 patients with AGCs who underwent cervical cytology.

METHOD

Data from patients with AGCs were used to examine the practical management of AGCs and the histological results.

RESULTS

The incidence of AGCs was 0.20% (1,254/614,791). The 1,254 AGC cases included 859 endocervical cells not otherwise specified (NOS), 3 glandular cells NOS, 91 endocervical cells favor neoplasia (FN), and 301 atypical endometrial cells (AEMCs). Among the 1,254 AGC patients, the histological diagnosis was benign in 666 (53.1%), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 in 60 (4.8%), CIN2 in 31 (2.5%), CIN3 in 52 (4.1%), squamous cell carcinoma in 19 (1.5%), adenocarcinoma in situ in 39 (3.1%), cervical adenocarcinoma in 106 (8.5%), endometrial carcinoma in 209 (16.7%), ovarian cancer in 26 (2.1%), other malignancy in 4 (0.3%), and other under follow-up in 42 (3.3%). When the 1,254 AGC patients were divided into three medical intervention degrees according to histology, AGC-NOS, AGC-FN, and AEMC required no medical intervention in 78.7, 13.2, and 25.9% (678, 12, and 78) of the patients, cervical cone resection in 13.0, 9.9, and 0.3% (112, 9, and 1) of the patients, and radical laparotomy for invasive cancer in 8.3, 76.9, and 73.8% (72, 70, and 222) of the patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our histological results supported the medical interventions applied for AGC diagnosis and treatment. AGC cases require careful histological evaluation.

Cervical Screening Results Leading to Detection of Adenocarcinoma in Situ of the Uterine Cervix

Background: Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the uterine cervix is a preinvasive lesion of the invasive adenocarcinoma. We analyzed the cervical screening results leading to detecting the AIS lesions including the coexistence of AIS lesions with high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions (HSIL) and invasive carcinoma. Methods: Women who were diagnosed and received treatment for AIS at Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 1, 2007 and August 31, 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were the women who had pathological diagnosis of AIS obtained from cervical punch biopsy or excisional cone biopsy with either loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) or cold-knife conization (CKC). The patient characteristics, diagnostic work-up and treatment details were reviewed, including the cervical screening results prior to the diagnosis of cervical AIS, pathologic results of excisional cone biopsy and hysterectomy specimens. Results: During the study period, 75 women with AIS pathology undergoing excisional cone biopsy with either LEEP (n=62) or CKC (n=13) were identified. The abnormal cytologic screening leading to detection of AIS was the squamous cell abnormality accounting for 57.3%. Abnormal glandular cytology accounted for 37.3%. The most common abnormal cervical screening results was HSIL cytology (n = 25) followed by AIS cytology (n = 13). Normal cytology was noted in 4 women in whom 3 were positive for HPV 18 and 1 had AIS on the endocervical polyp. AIS coexisted with HSIL and invasive carcinoma were detected in cone biopsy specimens in 21 (28%) and 29 (38.7%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: The majority of cervical screening results leading to detection of cervical AIS was the squamous cell abnormality accounting for 57.3% in which, HSIL cytology was the most common. Abnormal glandular cytology accounted for only 37.3%. Diagnostic cone excision is recommended if AIS lesion is noted in cervical biopsy specimen since nearly 40% have coexisting invasive lesions.

Role of Close Endocervical Margin in Treatment Failure After Cervical Excision for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Retrospective Study

CONTEXT.—

A significant negative trend in length of cone excision has been observed in recent years, leading to a higher percentage of positive endocervical excision margin and close (<1 mm) negative endocervical margin cases.

OBJECTIVE.—

To evaluate the rate of disease persistence and recurrence after cervical excision for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in relation to a close (<1 mm), negative, or positive endocervical margin.

DESIGN.—

We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia having a carbon dioxide laser cervical excision performed by the same operator. We evaluated the rate of positive follow-up in relation to the status of endocervical margin.

RESULTS.—

We found a higher percentage of positivity at follow-up and recurrence rate between 13 and 24 months in patients with positive margin than for patients with negative or close endocervical margin (P = .005 and P = .006, respectively), with no difference between negative and close margin (7.0% versus 8.3%, P = .89, and 1.2% versus 0%, P = .83, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS.—

Women with close and negative endocervical margin presented similar risk of positivity at long-term follow-up, disease persistence, and recurrence between 13 and 24 months, so the histopathologic report of a free endocervical margin less than 1 mm should not categorize the patient as being at increased risk of treatment failure. Therefore, the only information that the pathologist should report is the state of the margin (positive or negative), regardless of the negative endocervical margin length.

Oncological and reproductive outcomes of adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix managed with the loop electrosurgical excision procedure

Background

The standard treatment for cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) is hysterectomy, which is a more aggressive treatment than that used for squamous intraepithelial lesions. Several previous studies have primarily demonstrated that the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is as safe and effective as cold knife cone (CKC) biopsy when AIS is unexpectedly found in a loop excision. This study evaluated the safety of LEEP as the initial treatment for patients with AIS who were strictly selected and evaluated before and after loop resection.

Methods

The oncological and reproductive outcomes of a series of AIS patients who underwent LEEP as the initial treatment between February 2006 and December 2016 were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

A total of 44 women were eligible for analysis. The mean age at diagnosis was 36.1 years, and 14 patients were nulliparous. Multiple lesions were identified in 4 (9.1%) patients. Either hysterectomy (6 patients) or repeat cone biopsies (3 patients) were performed in 8 of the 10 patients who presented positive or not evaluable surgical resection margins (SMs) on the initial LEEP specimens. Residual disease was detected in two patients. All patients were closely followed for a mean of 36.9 months via human papillomavirus testing, PAP smears, colposcopy, and endocervical curettage when necessary. No recurrences were detected. Of the 16 patients who desired to become pregnant, 8 (50%) successfully conceived, and the full-term live birth rate was 83.3% among this subgroup.

Conclusions

LEEP with negative SMs was a safe and feasible fertility-sparing surgical procedure for patients with AIS, and the obstetric outcome was satisfactory. However, long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Long-term risk of cervical cancer following conization of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3-A Danish nationwide cohort study

Using nationwide Danish registries we examined the long-term risk of cervical cancer in women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) (including adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)) on the cone compared to women with a normal cytology test. Initially, we identified women born 1918-1990, who were recorded as living in Denmark between January 1, 1978 and December 31, 2012. From the Pathology Data Bank information on CIN3 on the cone, margins status, histological type of CIN3 and cervical cytology results was extracted. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the relative risk of subsequent cervical cancer. We included 59,464 women with CIN3 on the cone and 1,918,508 women with a normal cytology test. Overall, women diagnosed with CIN3 had a higher risk of subsequent cervical cancer compared to women with normal cytology (HR = 2.06; 95%CI: 1.81-2.35). Analyses according to time since conization showed elevated risks in all time periods, and 25 years or more after conization the relative risk was significantly increased (HR = 2.56; 95%CI: 1.37-4.77). Twenty years or more after conization, also women with negative margins had an increased relative risk (HR = 2.49; 95%CI: 1.12-5.57). In addition, the long-term relative risk of cervical cancer varied with the different histological types of CIN3 and was highest for AIS (HR = 7.50; 95%CI: 1.87-30.01, 10-14 years after conization). In conclusion, women diagnosed with CIN3 on the cone have a long-lasting increased risk of cervical cancer even when the margins on the cone are negative.

Risk of persistent or recurrent cervical neoplasia in patients with 'pure' adenocarcinoma-in-situ (AIS) or mixed AIS and high-grade cervical squamous neoplasia (cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia grades 2 and 3 (CIN 2/3)): a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of patients with pure adenocarcinoma-in-situ (AIS) and mixed AIS/CIN 2/3 lesions including the incidence of AIS persistence, recurrence and progression to adenocarcinoma.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Statewide population in Western Australia.

POPULATION

Women diagnosed with AIS between 2001 and 2012.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

De-identified linked data were utilised to ascertain the association between patient age at excisional treatment, margin status, lesion type, lesion size, and risk of persistent AIS (defined as the presence of AIS <12 months from treatment), recurrent AIS (≥12 months post-treatment), and adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

636 patients were eligible for analysis. The mean age was 32.3 years and median follow-up interval was 2.5 years. Within the study cohort, 266 patients (41.8%) had pure AIS and 370 (58.2%) had mixed AIS/CIN 2/3. Overall, 47 patients (7.4%) had AIS persistence/recurrence and 12 (1.9%) had adenocarcinoma. Factors associated with persistence/recurrence were pure AIS (hazard ratio (HR) 2.3; 95%CI 1.28-3.94; P = 0.005), age >30 years (HR 2.1; 95%CI 1.16-3.81; P = 0.015), positive endocervical margins (HR 5.8; 95%CI 3.05-10.92; P = <0.001) and AIS lesions >8 mm (HR 2.5; 95%CI 1.00-6.20; P = 0.049). A histologically positive AIS ectocervical margin was not associated with persistence/recurrence.

CONCLUSION

In this study, pure AIS was associated with greater risk of persistence/recurrence than was mixed AIS/CIN 2/3. AIS lesions >8 mm and positive endocervical margins were significant predictors for persistent or recurrent disease.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Pure cervical adenocarcinoma-in-situ (AIS) may have greater risk of recurrence than AIS co-existing with CIN 2/3.

Comparison of Cold-Knife Conization versus Loop Electrosurgical Excision for Cervical Adenocarcinoma In Situ (ACIS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review was to conduct a more comprehensive literature search and meta-analysis of original studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) versus cold-knife conization (CKC) in conservative surgical treatment of cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (ACIS) for women who have not completed childbearing.

METHODS

Systematic searches were conducted in the PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to identify all potential studies involving patients with ACIS treated with LEEP versus CKC published until December 2015.

RESULTS

Eighteen retrospective studies were included in this systematic review. All the 18 included studies reported the rate of positive margins, and the results of the individual studies varied. The positive margins were 44% (267/607) after LEEP and 29% (274/952) after CKC. The pooled meta-analysis exhibited significantly different outcome (RR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.34-1.80, P<0.00001) without significant heterogeneity (P = 0.34). The residual rate following LEEP was 9.1% (17/186) and 11% (39/350) after CKC in re-cone or hysterectomy cases. Recurrent ACIS following LEEP was reported in 10 of 142 (7.0%) cases compared to 10 of 177 (5.6%) cases following CKC. There were no significant differences in the residual rate (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.60-1.72, P = 0.95) or recurrence rate (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.46-2.79; P = 0.79) between the two procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The present systematic review demonstrates that both LEEP and CKC are safe and effective for the conservative treatment of ACIS. LEEP appears to be as equally effective as CKC regarding the residual and recurrence rates. Due to the findings showing that LEEP achieves comparable oncologic outcomes with fewer obstetric complications to that of CKC, LEEP may be the preferred option in patients whose fertility preservation is important. However, further prospective studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are needed to establish the superiority of either procedure.

Risk of invasive cervical cancer after atypical glandular cells in cervical screening: nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the risks of invasive cervical cancer after detection of atypical glandular cells (AGC) during cervical screening.

DESIGN

Nationwide population based cohort study.

SETTING

Cancer and population registries in Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

3,054,328 women living in Sweden at any time between 1 January 1980 and 1 July 2011 who had any record of cervical cytological testing at ages 23-59. Of these, 2,899,968 women had normal cytology results at the first screening record. The first recorded abnormal result was atypical glandular cells (AGC) in 14 625, high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) in 65 633, and low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) in 244 168.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cumulative incidence of invasive cervical cancer over 15.5 years; proportion of invasive cervical cancer within six months of abnormality (prevalence); crude incidence rates for invasive cervical cancer over 0.5-15.5 years of follow-up; incidence rate ratios compared with women with normal cytology, estimated with Poisson regression adjusted for age and stratified by histopathology of cancer; distribution of clinical assessment within six months after the abnormality.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cervical cancer was 1.4% for women with AGC, which was lower than for women with HSIL (2.5%) but higher than for women with LSIL (0.2%); adenocarcinoma accounted for 73.2% of the prevalent cases associated with AGC. The incidence rate of invasive cervical cancer after AGC was significantly higher than for women with normal results on cytology for up to 15.5 years and higher than HSIL and LSIL for up to 6.5 years. The incidence rate of adenocarcinoma was 61 times higher than for women with normal results on cytology in the first screening round after AGC, and remained nine times higher for up to 15.5 years. Incidence and prevalence of invasive cervical cancer was highest when AGC was found at ages 30-39. Only 54% of women with AGC underwent histology assessment within six months, much less than after HSIL (86%). Among women with histology assessment within six months, the incidence rate of cervical cancer after AGC was significantly higher than that after HSIL for up to 6.5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

AGC found at cervical screening is associated with a high and persistent risk of cervical cancer for up to 15 years, particularly for cervical adenocarcinoma and women with AGC at age 30-39. Compared with the reduction in risk of cancer seen after HSIL management, management of AGC seems to have been suboptimal in preventing cervical cancer. Research to optimise management is needed, and a more aggressive assessment strategy is warranted.

Margins for cervical and vulvar cancer

Surgery is the primary treatment for vulvar cancer as well as early-stage carcinoma of the cervix. This article reviews the significance of margin status after surgery on overall survival, need for further surgical intervention, and role for possible adjuvant therapy. It summarizes the abundant literature on margin status in vulvar cancer and highlights the need for further investigation on the prognostic significance of margins in cervical cancer. In addition, it reviews other important operative considerations.

Cervical conization of adenocarcinoma in situ: a predicting model of residual disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors associated with the presence of residual disease in women who have undergone cervical conization for adenocarcinoma in situ (ACIS) of the cervix.

STUDY DESIGN

We identified women who underwent a cervical conization for a diagnosis of ACIS followed by repeat conization or hysterectomy between Jan. 1, 1995, and April 30, 2010. Data were summarized using standard descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients met study criteria. The presence of ACIS at the internal conization margin or in the postconization endocervical curettage (ECC) correlated with residual ACIS (P < .001). A margin positive for ACIS was associated with residual glandular neoplasia in 68% of cases. An endocervical curettage positive for ACIS was associated with residual ACIS in 95% of cases. If both the margins and the endocervical curettage were positive for the presence of ACIS, 8% did not have residual disease, 77% had residual ACIS, and 15% had invasive adenocarcinoma. If both the internal conization margin and the postconization ECC were negative for the presence of ACIS, 14% of the final specimens had residual ACIS and none had invasive cancer.

CONCLUSION

The addition of postconization ECC to cone biopsy for ACIS of the cervix provides valuable prognostic information regarding the risk of residual ACIS. Women with ACIS who have both a negative postconization ECC and a negative conization margin have a 14% risk for residual ACIS and can be treated conservatively if desiring fertility. A positive postconization ECC or internal margin incurs significant risk of residual disease and 12-17% will have cancer.