Role of cytology, colposcopy and biopsy in the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Background: Cervical cancer is both preventable and curable. It has a long natural history with a prolonged pre-cancerous phase that is easily detectable and treatable. Exfoliative cervical cytology remains the mainstay for screening of pre-cancerous lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, CIN). In this study we discuss role of cytology, colposcopy and biopsy in the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Methods: This is a prospective observational study done at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dhiraj General Hospital from April 2013 for a period of 4 months. Total of 200 eligible women were enrolled for the study. Results: Colposcopy was well-correlated with histology in 69.70% cases. Cytology was well-correlated with histology in 65.15% of cases & with major discrepancy in 18.18% cases. Conclusion: The incidence of cervical cancer will continue to be very high in our population because of the constant high incidence of early marriage, multiparity, poor nutrition, poor hygiene, and low living standards. Thus there is a need for screening of these patients for cervical cancer and till date exfoliative Cytology has been found to be the Gold Standard for detection of early malignancy. Universal cytologic screening of all sexually active women should be done, especially in cases of parous women in lower socio-economic groups. Treatment & follow-up of dysplasia could prevent malignancies in future. [Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2013; 2(4.000): 550-554]