Underdiagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or Worse Lesion in Women with a Previous Colposcopy-Guided Biopsy Showing CIN 1.

Objective Expectant follow-up for biopsy-proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 is the current recommendation for the management of this lesion. Nevertheless, the performance of the biopsy guided by colposcopy might not be optimal. Therefore, this study aimed to calculate the rate of underdiagnoses of more severe lesions in women with CIN 1 diagnosis and to evaluate whether age, lesion extent and biopsy site are factors associated with diagnostic failure. Methods Eighty women with a diagnosis of CIN 1 obtained by colposcopy-guided biopsy were selected for this study. These women were herein submitted to large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). The prevalence of lesions more severe than CIN 1 was calculated, and the histological diagnoses of the LLETZ specimens were grouped into two categories: "CIN 1 or less" and "CIN 2 or worse." Results The prevalence of lesions diagnosed as CIN 2 or worse in the LLETZ specimens was of 19% (15/80). Three women revealed CIN 3, and 1 woman revealed a sclerosing adenocarcinoma stage I-a, a rare type of malignant neoplasia of low proliferation, which was not detected by either colposcopy or previous biopsy. The underdiagnosis of CIN 2 was not associated with the women's age, lesion extension and biopsy site. Conclusions The standard methods used for the diagnosis of CIN 1 may underestimate the severity of the true lesion and, therefore, women undergoing expectant management must have an adequate follow-up.

Underdiagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 orWorse Lesion inWomenwith a Previous Colposcopy-Guided Biopsy Showing CIN 1 / Subdiagnóstico de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) 2 ou lesão mais grave emmulheres combiópsia dirigida por colposcopia prévia mostrando NIC 1

Abstract Objective Expectant follow-up for biopsy-proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 is the current recommendation for the management of this lesion. Nevertheless, the performance of the biopsy guided by colposcopy might not be optimal. Therefore, this study aimed to calculate the rate of underdiagnoses of more severe lesions in women with CIN 1 diagnosis and to evaluate whether age, lesion extent and biopsy site are factors associated with diagnostic failure. Methods Eighty women with a diagnosis of CIN 1 obtained by colposcopy-guided biopsy were selected for this study. These women were herein submitted to large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). The prevalence of lesions more severe than CIN 1 was calculated, and the histological diagnoses of the LLETZ specimens were grouped into two categories: "CIN 1 or less" and "CIN 2 or worse." Results The prevalence of lesions diagnosed as CIN 2 or worse in the LLETZ specimens was of 19% (15/80). Three women revealed CIN 3, and 1 woman revealed a sclerosing adenocarcinoma stage I-a, a rare type of malignant neoplasia of low proliferation, which was not detected by either colposcopy or previous biopsy. The underdiagnosis of CIN 2 was not associated with the women's age, lesion extension and biopsy site. Conclusions The standard methods used for the diagnosis of CIN 1 may underestimate the severity of the true lesion and, therefore, women undergoing expectant management must have an adequate follow-up.

Resumo Objetivo O seguimento de mulheres com neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) 1 comprovada por biópsia é atualmente a recomendação de conduta para esta lesão. Entretanto, o desempenho da biópsia guiada por colposcopia pode falhar. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a taxa de subdiagnóstico de lesões mais graves em mulheres comdiagnóstico de NIC 1 e avaliar se a idade, a extensão da lesão e o local da biópsia são fatores associados à falha do diagnóstico. Métodos Foram selecionadas 80 mulheres com diagnóstico de NIC 1 obtido por biópsia dirigida por colposcopia. Estasmulheres foramsubmetidas a excisão da zona de transformação por alça diatérmica (EZTAD). A prevalência de lesões mais graves do que NIC 1 foi calculada, e os diagnósticos histológicos feitos nas amostras obtidas por EZTAD foram agrupados em duas categorias: "NIC 1 ou menos grave" e "NIC 2 ou mais grave". Resultados A prevalência de lesões diagnosticadas como NIC 2 ou mais grave nas amostras de EZTAD foi de 19% (15/80). Três mulheres apresentaram NIC 3, e uma mulher revelou adenocarcinoma esclerosante estágio I-a, um tipo raro de neoplasia maligna de baixa proliferação, que não foi detectado por qualquer exame de colposcopia ou biópsia anterior. O subdiagnóstico de NIC 2 não foi associado à idade, à extensão da lesão ou ao local da biópsia. Conclusão Os métodos de referência utilizados para o diagnóstico da NIC 1 podem subestimar a gravidade da lesão verdadeira e, portanto, as mulheres submetidas a conduta expectante devem ter um seguimento adequado.

Outcome of expectant management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 in women followed for 12 months.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of CIN 2 diagnosed by colposcopy-directed biopsy in women followed without treatment for 12 months and to verify whether the regression and progression of this lesion are associated with the woman's age at diagnosis and age at first sexual intercourse. STUDY DESIGN: Women diagnosed with CIN 2 by biopsy and with previous cervical smear showing LSIL were included in this cohort study and followed up for one year with cervical smear and colposcopy every three months. The rates of progression, persistence and regression of the CIN 2 were evaluated. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the woman's age at diagnosis, age at first sexual intercourse and interval since the first sexual intercourse according to the CIN 2 outcome, assuming a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: At the end of 12 months of follow-up the CIN 2 regression rate was 74% (31/42), progression rate to CIN 3 was 24% (10/42) and in one case CIN 2 persisted (2%). Among women who had regression, this event was detected in the first six months of follow-up in 26 of the 31 cases. There was no statistically significant association between the evolution of CIN 2 and the woman's age at diagnosis, age at first sexual intercourse and interval since first sexual intercourse. Women whose lesions were restricted to one quadrant were more likely to have CIN 2 regression at three-month follow-up compared with women with a lesion extending to one or more quadrants (OR: 6.50; 95% CI: 1.20-35.23). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that the majority of CIN 2 diagnosed by biopsy in women with previous Pap smear showing LSIL will regress in 12 months and therefore an expectant approach could be considered in these cases, not only for young women. Nevertheless these findings are not conclusive, and larger studies are required in order to certify when it is safe to adopt expectant management for CIN 2.