Title

Absence or Presence of High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion in Cervical Conization Specimens: A Clinicopathologic Study of 540 Cases

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Pathology; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Publication Date

2016-01-01

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Pathology | Women's Health

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To explore the implications of cervical conization specimens lacking the targeted high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (negative cone).

METHODS: We studied 540 conization procedures: 400 positive cones and 140 negative cones. Clinicopathologic features and 2-year follow-up results were reported.

RESULTS: Negative cones comprised 22% of procedures triggered by CIN2 or higher biopsies. Procedures triggered by cytology produced much higher percentages of negative cones (37% high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [HSIL], 46% atypical squamous cells-cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [ASC-H], and 76% low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion-cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [LSIL-H]). Upon reviewing negative excision-triggering biopsy and cytology, we downgraded 24 (24%) CIN2 biopsies, three (14%) HSIL, five (83%) ASC-H, and 12 (92%) LSIL-H. One-third of our negative cones can be attributed to overdiagnosis either on biopsy or cytology. Patients with negative cones were older and had smaller excisions, negative colposcopic findings, and negative/equivocal high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Within 2 years, 35 (25%) women with negative cones experienced ASCUS or LSIL. Only one (0.7%) recurred as CIN3, a significantly lower percentage than women with positive cones (13%).

CONCLUSIONS: We advocate careful review of all excision-triggering biopsy and cytology, especially in cases of LSIL-H. Patients with negative cones should be surveyed with cytology and HR-HPV testing.

Keywords

Cervical conization, HPV, High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, LEEP

DOI of Published Version

10.1093/ajcp/aqv007

Source

Am J Clin Pathol. 2016 Jan;145(1):96-100. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqv007. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

American journal of clinical pathology

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

26712876

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