Abnormal cervical cytology in pregnancy: a laboratory and clinical dermatologic perspective.

The dermatologic examination of the pregnant woman with abnormal cervical cytology can be a challenge to the clinician. This article explores both the laboratory and clinical examinations and the special issues of each that are affected by pregnancy. The technique of obtaining an adequate Pap test as well as guidelines on managing the abnormal Pap result will be addressed. Normal and abnormal colposcopic findings are described with reasons why they may be more difficult to differentiate in pregnancy. As long as no invasive cancer is found, the pregnancy may proceed with continued surveillance. Postpartum regression rates of intraepithelial neoplasia are high.

Gestational trophoblastic disease.

Gestational trophoblastic disease is an aberration of pregnancy that occurs in one of 1,500 pregnancies in the United States. Abnormalities of uterine size, vaginal bleeding, and first trimester toxemia are common presentations. After a D & C, follow-up consists of close monitoring of the serum beta-hCG and adherence to contraception. Approximately 15% of patients have malignant disease requiring chemotherapy. Prognosis has changed from fatal to highly curable with preservation of the uterus for future childbearing. Nurses provide education and support to the patient and family as they deal with pregnancy loss and the threat of cancer.

Pepsin can be used to subculture viable mammary epithelial cells.

Normal mouse mammary epithelial cells in primary culture can be passaged as viable single cells using 0.5 to 1.0 mg/ml pepsin in Hanks' salt solution. After 5 min the pepsin treatment preferentially removes fibroblasts, leaving a monolayer of purified epithelial cells that can be removed by pipetting and transferred to new culture vessels or injected into animals.