Colposcopy in a family planning clinic: a future model?

Usefulness of concurrent Papanicolaou smear at time of cervical biopsy

The reliability and cost-effectiveness of a repeat Papanicolaou (Pap) smear performed at the time of colposcopic biopsy is uncertain. To evaluate the usefulness of this practice, Pap smear and biopsy results of 718 patients were reviewed and compared: 619 patients had Pap smears performed prior to colposcopy with a 1.1% false-negative rate, 97.5% sensitivity, and 83.6% positive predictive value. Ninety-nine patients had Pap smears performed at the time of colposcopy with a 19.1% false-negative rate, 56.8% sensitivity, and 92.6% positive predictive value. Repeat Pap smear at the time of colposcopy resulted in significant changes in the management of only 2 patients (2%) and more careful follow-up in one (1%). Pap smears performed at colposcopic biopsy are less sensitive than those done prior to biopsy (P < 0.001). The clinical benefit of this practice is marginal, considering the added costs and potential detrimental effects to the colposcopic examination, provided patients receive adequate follow-up.

Operator variability in disease detection and grading by colposcopy in patients with mild dysplastic smears

BACKGROUND

To determine interoperator variability in the colposcopic evaluation of patients with mild dysplastic smears, retrospective comparison of colposcopy and biopsy results in 856 patients examined by 11 colposcopists in the Outpatient Colposcopy Clinic of "L. Mangiagalli" Institute, Milano, was performed.

METHODS

The patients underwent a complete colposcopic assessment and target biopsy on suspect areas if a screening smear showed mild dysplasia. Colposcopic findings and disease detection rate for each operator were compared.

RESULTS

There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the recording of abnormal colposcopic findings. Significant differences were found, however, in abnormal transformation zone grading (P < 0.001), biopsy rate (P < 0.05), and squamocolumnar junction visualization (P < 0.005). There was no significant difference in overall disease detection (P > 0.5) but there was a statistically significant, inverse relation (r = -0.6, P < 0.01) between the high grade (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 and 3) and low grade (human papillomavirus/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1) detection rate for each operator.

CONCLUSIONS

High grade disease detection in patients with mild dysplastic smears is influenced the subjectivity of the colposcopic examination. This should be considered when planning optimal management for patients with mild dysplasia.

Adolescents and colposcopy: the use of different procedures to reduce anxiety

OBJECTIVE

Two consecutively occurring studies examined whether using a video colposcope to view this procedure or allowing the female adolescent to watch music videos would reduce anxiety and related body movements.

STUDY DESIGN

Female adolescents who underwent colposcopy were randomly assigned to one of two groups, experimental and control. In study 1, 27 female adolescents were randomly assigned either to view the procedure on a television monitor or to be part of a control group (no visual distraction). In study 2, 30 female adolescents were randomly assigned either to a music video group or to a control group. Studies were completed in a consecutive manner and used the same measures, colposcopic equipment, and professional staff, including physician. Multiple measures of anxiety were used (heart rate, behavior observation, and paper and pencil) before, during, and after the procedure. During each colposcopy the subject's behavior across 10 dimensions was observed and coded. Data were analyzed by chi 2, analysis of variance, and Student t tests.

RESULTS

Study 1 found no significant differences in body movements and anxiety ratings between the video colposcope group and controls. In study 2, subjects who were allowed to watch the music videos demonstrated significantly fewer body movements indicative of pain, required less physician reassurance, and received fewer procedural explanations (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that allowing a female adolescent to watch music videos during a colposcopic examination appears to decrease body movements associated with discomfort.

Borderline nuclear abnormality in cervical smears: a cytological review of 200 cases with histological correlation

The cervical cytology and histology specimens from 200 patients referred to colposcopy with borderline nuclear abnormality were reviewed. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated changes were identified in 103 of 200 (53%) referral smears and in 139 of 150 (91%) biopsy specimens. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was less frequently diagnosed on review compared with the original histopathology reports (30.7% vs 45.4%); the discrepancy was largely attributable to a lower incidence of CINI. There was agreement in the grading of borderline nuclear abnormality in 161 of 200 referral smears following review. Twenty-three smears were upgraded to mild dyskaryosis, whereas 16 were reclassified as negative.

Decision analysis for best management of mildly dyskaryotic smear

Should a woman with a mildly dyskaryotic cervical smear be referred for colposcopy or should the smear be repeated? One way to answer this question is to use decision analysis and compare the expected mortality and cost of each policy. Data for each component of the question were obtained from published work worldwide and were supplemented with an audit of mildly dyskaryotic smears in West Yorkshire, UK. 2 out of 1000 women with an initial mildly dyskaryotic smear will develop cancer if a conservative repeat smear policy is adopted in association with five-yearly cervical screening. This number can be reduced to 1.6 per 1000 if cervical screening is offered every three years. A policy of immediate referral for colposcopy is also associated with a subsequent cancer rate of 1.6 per 1000. Therefore, repeating the smear is almost as effective as an immediate referral to a colposcopy unit. Even if a five-yearly cervical screening programme is adopted, 2500 women with a mildly dyskaryotic smear will need to be referred for immediate colposcopy to save 1 additional cancer. A conservative policy is not financially cheaper: an average of six additional smears is required to save each colposcopy referral. Sensitivity analysis shows that the excess cost of the conservative policy increases exponentially as the risk of a subsequent cytological abnormality exceeds 60%. Local cytopathology laboratories should audit their recurrent dyskaryosis rate associated with borderline, mild, and moderate dyskaryosis before accepting the U-turn in the national recommendations.

Mild and moderate dyskaryosis: can women be selected for colposcopy on the basis of social criteria?

OBJECTIVE

To describe the distribution of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades among women with mild and moderate dyskaryosis after a single cervical smear and to determine whether social criteria could help identify women who are at increased risk of grade II or III disease.

DESIGN

Cross sectional analysis within a randomised prospective study. Subjects had a repeat smear, a colposcopic examination, and an excision biopsy of the transformation zone. In addition, women were asked to complete a social questionnaire.

SETTING

Colposcopy clinic, Aberdeen.

SUBJECTS

228 women with a single smear test showing mild or moderate dyskaryosis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Histology, age, sexual and contraceptive history, cigarette smoking.

RESULTS

159 (70%) women had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades II or III. Among current smokers the prevalence of grade II and III disease was higher in women who smoked greater than or equal to 20 cigarettes a day (84%) than among those who smoked less (66%; p less than 0.04). Women with more than one sexual partner also had a higher prevalence (75%) than women with only one partner (50%; p = 0.0028). Use of oral contraceptives and younger age were not significantly associated. The prevalence of grade II or III disease was up to 66% in the lower risk groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the high prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades II and III in both the high and the low risk groups social factors are not useful for selecting women with mild or moderate dyskaryosis for either early referral to colposcopy or cytological surveillance.

Prospective serial study of viral change in the cervix and correlation with human papillomavirus genome status

OBJECTIVE

To observe in serial fashion the histological changes of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the cervix and to correlate these with the detection of HPV genomes.

DESIGN

A prospective longitudinal study to perform colposcopy and at 0, 9 and 18 months to obtain a smear, a biopsy for histology and HPV-16 genome detection by DNA/DNA hybridization.

SETTING

Glasgow Family Planning Centre.

SUBJECTS

Eighty-two women recruited on the basis of a routine smear showing viral change without dyskaryosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Women found to have CIN 3 were treated with laser.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cytology and cervical biopsy results and HPV-16 DNA detection by Southern blotting obtained serially from individual subjects.

RESULTS

Of 82 women recruited, 10% were positive for HPV-16 detection by Southern blotting. Detection of HPV-16 genomes did not correlate with either CIN or viral infection assessed histologically and serial hybridizations in a given individual showed fluctuation in HPV-16 detection. Polymerase chain reaction in a subset of samples revealed 46% positive for HPV DNA.

CONCLUSION

No clear correlation exists between HPV genome detection and the histological appearance. HPV-16 genome detection alone may not be a useful predictor of precancerous progression.

High prevalence of human papillomavirus and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in a young Australian STD population

Two hundred and forty-five women consecutively attending a large city Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Centre had routine cervical screening performed by both the Pap smear and, in addition, a Cervigram. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV infection, CIN and cervical cancer in an STD population. The mean age of this group was 26 years with a range from 16 to 53 years. Colposcopy and biopsy revealed a prevalence for human papillomavirus (HPV) of 41%, and 20.4% for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). No cases of cervical cancer were detected. The Pap smear detected HPV-associated change in 18% and CIN in 8.2%, therefore generally underestimating the true prevalence of HPV and CIN. Cervicography was positive in 44% of the total group, indicating either HPV-associated change or CIN. Current screening methods are therefore failing to detect significant amounts of HPV-associated change and CIN.

Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia and koilocytotic lesions of the lower genitalia in an Icelandic population

This study is based on women who participated in cervical cancer screening and on 390 women referred from the screened group for colposcopy. The study analyzed the frequency of atypia, CIN and koilocytosis and evaluated the efficiency of cytologic vs. histologic diagnosis. The clinical expression of the koilocytotic lesions and the rate of infected partners were evaluated. In the screened population the prevalence of smears with atypia and CIN was 3.2% and that of koilocytosis 0.5%. In the colposcopic group the frequency of koilocytosis in the histologic sections was 98% compared to 18% of the smears. The koilocytotic lesions were mostly multicentric, subclinical and asymptomatic and often associated with normal cytology. The rate of infected partners of women with normal smears and non-symptomatic vulvar lesions was low (15%), increased if smears were abnormal (30%), and was highest when the partner had gross condylomata (89%). As to atypia and CIN, the rate of undegraded smears was 18%, false-negative smears 8%, undergraded colposcopic biopsies 33%, false-negative colposcopic biopsies 3%, and the false-negative rate of combined cytology and colposcopy was less that 1%. Colposcopy is recommended for unclassified CIN and CIN 2–3 repeat smear for atypia and CIN 1 and combined cytology and colposcopy for condylomata.

Comparison of repeat smear, colposcopy, and colposcopically directed biopsy in the evaluation of the mildly abnormal smear

Repeat smear, colposcopy, and colposcopically directed biopsy were performed in 161 patients referred to our department because of a Pap smear showing mild dysplasia (CIN 1). Colposcopically directed biopsies revealed the presence of CIN of different grades in 61 cases (37.5%). In 33 (20.4%) the CIN grade found at biopsy was higher than 1. Repeat smear confirmed the presence of CIN 1 in 67 women (47.2%). In this group of patients colposcopically directed biopsies showed a CIN grade greater than 1 in 12 cases (17.9%). The repeat smear was negative in 59 patients (41.5%). In this group, biopsy showed varying grades of neoplasia in 12 cases. Colposcopic examination indicated no dysplasia but the presence of minor cervical abnormalities in 76 women (47.2%): at biopsy a CIN grade higher than 1 was found in 9 cases (11.5%). These data suggest that the mildly atypical smear identifies a group of patients at increased risk of CIN but gives little or no information on the disease severity. Repeat smear and colposcopic examination alone appear inadequate to demonstrate the severity of the cervical lesion. Due to the high proportion of CIN 2 and 3 in patients with a mildly abnormal smear, the systematic biopsy of any colposcopically abnormal area seems essential to proper management of the patient.

Diagnosis and treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in general practice

OBJECTIVE

To audit the first five years of a colposcopy and treatment service for cervical dysplasia established within a general practice.

DESIGN

A cervical smear register was established to determine which women were "at risk" of dysplasia. The results of colposcopy and treatment of dysplasia were analysed.

SETTING

A large rural general practice with community hospital facilities in mid-Wales.

PATIENTS

4437 Women at risk in a total practice population of 14,100.

INTERVENTIONS

Colposcopy of women with dyskaryotic smear results, persistent inflammatory smear results, or vulval warts. Treatment of women with proved dysplasia by electrodiathermy of the cervix or cone biopsy.

RESULTS

138 Women with dysplasia were diagnosed over five years: 36 mild, 97 moderate or severe, and five with microinvasion. Despite a 78% smear rate of at risk women over five years, nine invasive cancers still occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of treatment are acceptable. Cervical dysplasia has become very common, the risk of a dysplasia in women aged 20-39 who had smear tests being one in 14 over five years.

Value of colposcopy in sexually transmitted diseases clinic based on first year's experience

Two hundred and thirty two patients underwent cervical colposcopy within the first year of establishing a colposcopy service in the sexually transmitted diseases clinic at St Mary's Hospital, London. Their mean age was 27 years. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was identified in 68 of 81 (84%) patients whose smears showed dyskaryosis and who underwent biopsy. CIN was also detected in 14 of 41 (34%) patients who underwent biopsy and whose repeat smears were reported as giving normal results. The value of assessing two consecutive smears was evident, however, because none of the 99 patients with CIN had two normal smear results consecutively. Patients requiring treatment underwent laser ablation, which was provided in the department of gynaecology. These results show that colposcopy plays a vital part in managing patients with abnormal smears and indicate that genitourinary physicians need to give priority to developing colposcopy services in their specialty.

Colposcopic assessment of the accuracy of cervical cytology screening

Two hundred asymptomatic women in a general practice were screened both cytologically and colposcopically for evidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The prevalence detected by cytology alone was 5%, but the prevalence detected by cytology and colposcopy together was 11%. None of the larger lesions of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (affecting more than two quadrants of the cervix) was associated with negative cytology. The false negative cytology rate for smaller lesions was 58%. The clinical importance of the smaller lesions that were not accurately detected by cytology screening is unknown. As these lesions affected 6% of the screened population further studies of their clinical course are urgently required. Local destructive treatment in such cases may represent considerable overtreatment. If these lesions prove to be clinically important, however, the results of this study predict an increasing epidemic of preinvasive and invasive disease of the cervix.