The value of immunohistochemical markers in the diagnosis of cervical neoplasia.

This study was designed to determine whether immunohistochemical stains for tumour-associated markers may be useful in the detection and differential diagnosis of premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix. The expression of four markers detected by monoclonal antibodies, human milk fat globule 1 and 2 (HMFG-1 and 2), Ca1 and anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (anti-CEA) on conventional histological sections of various cervical lesions has been investigated. None of these markers was specific for neoplastic lesions of the cervix and all four markers were expressed by metaplastic as well as neoplastic cells, and it was concluded that their application in the histopathological examination of the cervix is limited.

Cryosurgical treatment of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia.

This report describes 154 patients treated with cryosurgery for cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) over a 3-year period. Standard colposcopic criteria were used to select patients for conservative primary treatment. Treatment failed in 12.5% of 112 patients treated for CIN I (mild dysplasia) and II (moderate dysplasia). Of 42 patients treated for CIN III (severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ) 45.2% showed persistence of the lesion after primary cryosurgery A second course of treatment resulted in a 98% cure rate for patients with CIN I and II and an 85.7% rate for patients with CIN III. However, 14.3% of patients with CIN III required alternative management after further cryosurgery. Because of this experience the treatment of CIN III has been reviewed at this clinic.