Women in a region with high incidence of cervical cancer warrant immediate colposcopy for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance on cervical cytology
Suntornlimsiri, W.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 93(6): 676-681
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 20572372 Document Number: 16111
To evaluate the histopathology of women who had "atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance" (ASC-US) on cervical cytology in a region with high incidence of cervical cancer. Retrospective case-record review of 254 women with ASC-US cytology undergoing colposcopic examination at Nakornping Hospital between October 2003 and September 2007. Of the 254 patients who had ASC-US smears underwent colposcopic and histopathologic evaluation. The mean age was 45.3 years (range, 18-72 years). The histologic diagnoses, obtained from colposcopically directed biopsy or endocervical curettage or loop electrosurgical excision procedure or cold knife conization after initial colposcopy, showed that 47 (18.5%) women had histologically confirmed high-grade lesions and 20 (7.9%) women had invasive cancers. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of high-grade or invasive lesions between who were 50 years old or more and those who were younger (50.0% and 50.5%, respectively, p = 0.39). Reporting ASC-US cytology in our population is obviously associated with significant cervical pathology, particularly invasive cancer that is possible at a rate higher than previously reported. Women who have ASC-US smears should therefore be referred for immediate colposcopy regardless of age.
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