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Year : 2017 Month : April Volume : 6 Issue : 30 Page : 2455-2461

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY TO EVALUATE CORRELATION BETWEEN REID S COLPOSCOPIC INDEX IMPRESSION AND BIOPSY HISTOLOGY.

Sonal Kulshreshtha1, Richa Chouksey2, Pratibha Garg3

1Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior.
2Senior Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior.
3Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR

Dr. Sonal Kulshreshtha,
Email : drsonalkulshreshtha@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Sonal Kulshreshtha,
#403, Satyam Residency,
Satyadev Nagar,
Gandhi Road,
Gwalior-474011.
E-mail: drsonalkulshreshtha@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Aims and Objectives- 1. To correlate the findings in women with unhealthy cervix by cytology, colposcopy and colposcopic directed biopsies; 2. to assess the utility of colposcopy in detecting the premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix.

MaterialS and methods

It was a prospective study which included 100 patients admitted at Kamla Raja Hospital, Gwalior. Pap smear, colposcopy and colposcopic-guided biopsy was done and results correlated. Colposcopic diagnosis was based on Reid Colposcopic Index.

ResultS

The mean age of the women in the study was 37.85 years. The commonest symptom was recurrent white discharge per vagina (79%). Majority of the study groups were para 2 (33%) and para 3 (34%). Pap smear revealed squamous intraepithelial lesions in 19% cases, whereas 77% has inflammatory smears and in 4% cases smears were within normal limits. The sensitivity and specificity of Pap smear was 43.2% and 95.2% respectively. Positive Pap smear [LSIL/HSIL] was significantly associated with LSIL/HSIL/malignancy [p < 0.001, Chi2 (22.4)]. RCI (6.8) was significantly associated with malignancy (p = 0.001, Chi2 = 10.5). High RCI (6 - 8) was significantly associated with HSIL (p < 0.001, Chi2 = 31.4).

Conclusion

Colposcopy is useful in detecting premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix. Colposcopy and cytology used together in patients of cervical lesions have relatively higher chances of detecting squamous intraepithelial lesions.

keywords

Cervical Biopsy, Cervical Cancer, Pap Smear, Reid’s Colposcopic Index.

background

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Cheating cancer is all about preventing cancer, if that unfortunately is not possible then detecting it early enough to give our bodies a chance to fight.

Unhealthy cervix is a very common finding in our country due to poor genital hygiene, malnutrition and multiparity.¹ Cancer of uterine cervix is a serious health problem in India. Every year in India 122,844 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 67,477 die from the disease. India has a population of 432.2 million women aged 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cancer. It is the second most common cancer in women aged 15 - 44 years.2 Fortunately, the incidence of cervical cancer has decreased by more than 50% in the past 30 years, largely due to the increasing use of cervical cancer screening with cervical cytology.3

Screening aims to detect the disease at the precancer stage, when it is amenable to simple treatment and cure. This reduction in mortality through screening is due to-

1)      an increase in the detection of invasive cancer at early stages, when the 5-year survival rate is approximately 92%.4

2)      the detection and treatment of pre-invasive lesions, which reduces the overall incidence of invasive cancer.

 

In fact, the incidence of cervical cancer in the United States has decreased from 14.8 cases per 100,000 women in 1975 to only 6.5 cases per 100,000 women in 2006.5,6

Although worldwide cervical cancer rates have decreased dramatically with the increase in screening efforts, incidence and prevalence in developing countries remains high due to ignorance and unawareness about screening programs among women.

India accounts for one-sixth of the world’s population, also bears one-fifth of the world’s burden of cervical cancer.

Invasive cancer of cervix has been considered a preventable cancer, because it has a long pre-invasive state, cervical cytology screening programs are available and the treatment of pre-invasive lesions is effective.7 The unique accessibility of the cervix to direct visualisation and the possibility of cellular and tissue sampling has permitted extensive investigations on lesions of cervix. There is excellent evidence that invasive cancer of the cervix develops from carcinoma in situ or dysplasia. Therefore, screening of the cervix by cytology and colposcopy can significantly reduce the rate of invasive cancers.

Downstaging for cervical cancer is detection of the disease at an earlier, curable stage in asymptomatic women using a simple speculum for visual examination of the cervix. Detection is done by nurses and other paramedical health workers using a simple speculum for visual inspection of cervix in places where prevalence of cancer is high and cytological screening is not available.8

Pap smear has become a routine method of cervical cancer screening. Its clinical utilisation is rapidly expanding due to the simplicity of the technique, cost-effectiveness and less time taken to obtain the diagnosis.9 Cytology has got certain limitations like low sensitivity of 51% and a false negative rate of 49%.

The colposcope is a low power, binocular microscope for study of surface epithelium and underlying connective tissue stroma along with vascular pattern.10 It is an optical method of visualising lower female genital tract under bright illumination using stereoscopic vision. Colposcopy is complementary as well as superior to cytology. It is a simple non-invasive OPD procedure. It helps in determining indications for cervical biopsy, locating sites and the extent of biopsy. It helps in avoiding traumatic diagnostic methods like cervical conization for minor lesions and at the same time significant lesions are not overlooked.

Colposcopic directed biopsy of suspicious areas provides the final diagnosis in most situations and is taken as the gold standard in diagnosis of neoplastic lesions.

 

Materials and methods

The present prospective study was carried out at Kamla Raja Hospital, G.R. Medical College and J.A. Group of Hospitals, Gwalior (M.P.) for a period of 1 year from 2014 - 2015. One hundred cases who fulfilled the selection criteria were recruited for the study.

 

Inclusion criteria

  1. Recurrent episodes of white discharge per vagina.
  2. Intermenstrual bleeding, post-coital bleeding or post- menopausal bleeding.
  3. Suspicious looking cervix (leukoplakia, cervical ectopy, etc.).

 

Exclusion criteria

  1. Pregnant women.
  2. Clinically visible growth on cervix.
  3. Prior hysterectomy or procedure on the cervix.
  4. Unmarried.

 

Written and informed consent were obtained from all the participants after brief explanation of the procedure. Menstrual and obstetric history was taken in relation to the presenting complaints. History of any previous surgery on cervix was noted. Examination was done in dorsal position using Cusco’s self-retaining speculum.

A Pap smear was taken using Ayre’s spatula. Revised Bethesda Systemwas used for describing Pap smear results. In all women, colposcopy was done irrespective of Pap smear results.

Findings were recorded and colposcopy diagnosis was made based on Modified Reid Colposcopic Index (RCI).

The modified Reid colposcopic index (RCI)*

Colposcopic signs

Zero point

One Point

Two points

Colour

Low-intensity acetowhitening (not completely opaque); indistinct acetowhitening; transparent or translucent acetowhitening. Acetowhitening beyond the margin of the transformation zone, pure snow-white colour with intense surface shine (rare)

Intermediate shade- grey/white colour and shiny surface (most lesions should be scored in this category)

Dull, opaque, oyster white, grey

Lesion margin and surface configuration

Microcondylomatous or micropapillary contour

Flat lesions with indistinct margins

Feathered or finely scalloped margins

Angular, jagged lesions

Satellite lesions beyond the margin of the transformation zone

Regular-shaped, symmetrical lesions with smooth, straight outlines

Rolled, peeling edges

Internal demarcations between areas of differing colposcopic appearance- a central area of high-grade change and peripheral area of low-grade change

Vessels

Fine/uniform-calibre vessels- closely and uniformly placed

Poorly formed patterns of fine punctation and/or mosaic

Vessels beyond the margin of the transformation zone

Fine vessels within microcondylomatous or micropapillary lesions

Absent vessels

Well-defined coarse punctation or mosaic, sharply demarcated- and randomly and widely placed

Iodine staining

Positive iodine uptake giving mahogany brown colour

Negative uptake of insignificant lesion, i.e. yellow staining by a lesion scoring

three points or less on the first three criteria

Areas beyond the margin of the transformation zone, conspicuous on colposcopy, evident as iodine-negative areas (such areas are frequently due to parakeratosis)

Partial iodine uptake- variegated, speckled appearance

Negative iodine uptake of significant lesion, i.e. yellow staining by a lesion already scoring four points or more on the first three criteria

 

Scores of 0 - 2: Predictive of minor lesion (CIN1 or HPV)

3 - 4: Middle grade lesion (CIN 1 - II)

5 - 8: Significant lesion (CIN II - III)

 

 

Biopsy was taken from abnormal area under colposcopy guidance using cervical punch biopsy forceps. The specimen was sent for histopathological examination in formalin solution. Slides were analysed by senior consultant pathologist.

Biopsy results were Categorised as-

  1. Cervicitis/metaplasia.
  2. CIN- 1 (mild dysplasia/correlating with LSIL).
  3. CIN- 2/3 (moderate-to-severe dysplasia/correlating with HSIL).
  4. Squamous cell carcinoma.

 

results

Age group

Number of cases (n = 100)

Percentage

20 - 30 yrs.

16

16

31 - 40 yrs.

41

41

41 - 50 yrs.

32

32

> 50 yrs.

11

11

Table 1. Distribution of Cases according to Age

 

Maximum number of cases were found to be in the age group 31 - 40 years (41%). The mean age was 37.85 years.

 

Parity

Number of cases (n = 100)

Percentage

Nullipara

5

5

Para one

5

5

Para two

33

33

Para three

34

34

≥ Para four

23

23

Table 2. Distribution of Cases based on Parity

 

Majority of the study group were para 2 (33%) and para 3 (34%).

 

Symptoms

Number of cases (n = 100)

Percentage

Recurrent white discharge

69

69

Post coital bleeding

10

10

Intermenstrual bleeding

4

4

Postmenopausal bleeding

8

8

Menorrhagia

9

9

Table 3. Distribution of Cases based on Symptoms

 

The commonest symptom was recurrent white discharge per vagina (69%).

 

Age at First Intercourse

Number of Cases

Percentage

Less than 20 years

93

93

More than 20 years

7

7

Table 4. Distribution of Cases

based on Age at First Intercourse

 

In 93% cases, the age of intercourse is < 20 years.

 

Outcome

Number of cases (n = 100)

Percentage

Normal

4

4

Inflammatory

77

77

LSIL

9

9

HSIL

10

10

Malignancy

0

0

Table 5. Pap Smear Results

 

Pap smear revealed that 77% had an inflammatory smear and 19% had a positive Pap smear. The result of Pap smear was considered positive if it revealed LSIL, HSIL, carcinoma in situ or invasive cancer. Among 19 positive cases there were 9 LSIL, 10 HSIL and no case of malignancy.

 

Modified Reid’s Colposcopic Index

Number of cases

Percentage

0 - 2

29

29

3 - 4

48

48

5 - 8

23

23

Table 6. Colposcopy Results

 

On Colposcopy 29% women were found to have an RCI 0 - 2 (likely to be CIN 1), 48% 3 - 4 (overlapping lesion: likely to be CIN 1 or CIN 2) and 23% 5 - 8 (likely to be CIN 2 - 3).

 

RCI (Overall Score)     Histology

0 – 2                               Likely to be CIN 1

3 – 4                               Overlapping lesion: likely to be CIN 1 or CIN 2

5 – 8                               Likely to be CIN 2-3

 

Outcome

Number of cases (n= 100)

Percentage

Normal

03

03

Cervicitis/metaplasia

60

60

Mild dysplasia/LSIL/CIN1

19

19

Moderate to severe dysplasia/ HSIL/ CIN2/CIN3

15

15

Malignancy

03

03

Table 7. Biopsy Results

The positive biopsy includes 37 cases out of 100. Biopsy was considered positive, if it revealed LSIL and above. It includes 19 mild dysplasias (LSIL), 15 moderate-to-severe dysplasias (HSIL) and 03 malignancies. Out of 03 malignancies, none had visible growth on per speculum examination.


 

Pap Smear

Biopsy

Total

Normal

Cervicitis

LSIL

HSIL

Malignancy

Normal

0 (0%)

4 (4%)

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

4 (4%)

Inflammatory

3 (3%)

53 (53%)

15 (15%)

6 (6%)

0 (0%)

77 (77%)

LSIL

0 (0%)

3 (3%)

2 (2%)

3 (3%)

1 (1%)

9 (9%)

HSIL

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

2 (2%)

6 (6%)

2 (2%)

10 (10%)

Total

3 (3%)

60 (60%)

19 (19%)

15 (15%)

3 (3%)

100 (100%)

Table 8. Correlation between Pap Smear and Biopsy

 

 

19 cases out of 100 women were positive on Pap smear; 37 out of 100 women were positive on Biopsy. Pap smear was positive in 16 out of 37 biopsy proven positive cases; 15 cases of LSIL and 6 cases of HSIL were under-reported as inflammatory on Pap smear and 3 cases of cervicitis/metaplasia were over-reported, as LSIL on Pap smear.

Positive Pap smear includes LSIL and HSIL.

 

Pap Smear

Biopsy

Total

LSIL/HSIL/ Malignancy

Normal/ Cervicitis

LSIL/HSIL

16 (16%)

3 (3%)

19 (19%)

Normal Inflammatory

21 (21%)

60 (60%)

81 (81%)

Total

37 (37%)

63 (63%)

100 (100%)

Table 9. Diagnostic Efficacy of Pap Smear

 

Sensitivity= 43.2 %

Specificity= 95.2 %

Positive predictive value= 84.1%

Negative predictive value= 74.07%

Accuracy= 76.0%

P value [chi2]= p < 0.001 [22.4]

 

Positive Pap smear [LSIL/HSIL] was significantly associated with LSIL/HSIL/malignancy (p < 0.001, Chi2= 22.4).

Also, positive Pap smear [LSIL/HSIL] was significantly associated with malignancy (p= 0.002, Chi2= 13.1).

RCI

BIOPSY

Total

Normal

Cervicitis/metaplasia

LSIL

HSIL

Malignancy

0 - 2

3 (3%)

24 (24%)

1 (1%)

1 (1%)

0 (0%)

29 (29%)

3 - 4

0 (0%)

33 (33%)

12 (12%)

3 (3%)

0 (0%)

48 (48%)

5 - 8

0 (0%)

3 (3%)

6 (6%)

11 (11%)

3 (3%)

23 (23%)

Total

3 (3%)

60 (60%)

19 (19%)

15 (15%)

3 (3%)

100 (100%)

Table 10. Correlation between Reid’s Colposcopic Index and Biopsy

 

 

37 out of 100 women were positive on biopsy.

Out of 29 cases reported under RCI 0 - 2, 1 case proved to be CIN 1; 24 cases of cervicitis were over-reported as CIN 1 and 1 case of HSIL was under-reported as CIN 1.

15 cases under RCI 3 - 5 were reported as LSIL/HSIL and 33 cases of cervicitis were over-reported.

Out of 23 cases of RCI 6 - 8, 3 cases were under-reported which came out to be malignant on biopsy; 3 cases of cervicitis were over-reported and 17 cases as LSIL/HSIL.

Test applied Chi square test.

High RCI [6 - 8] was significantly associated with Malignancy [P= 0.001, Chi2= 10.5].

High RCI [6 - 8] was significantly associated with HSIL. [P< 0.001, Chi2= 31.4].

RCI [3 - 5] was not significantly associated with HSIL [p=0.56, Chi2= 0.32].

Association of RCI [3 - 5] with Malignancy could not be established, as there is no positive case.

 

RCI

Positive Predictive Value for Biopsy

0 - 2

6.9

3 - 4

31.3

5 - 8

87.0

Table 11. Relation between Reid Colposcopy

Index and Positive Predictive Value for Biopsy

RCI 5 - 8 is associated with high positive predictive value (87%) for biopsy.

 

DISCUSSION

The incidence of cervical cancer can be reduced by as much as 80% if the quality, coverage and follow-up of screening methods are of high standard.11

In the present study, the maximum number of patients was in the age group of 31 - 40 years (41%) and mean age was 37.85 years which was similar to study by Rawson et al 1957.12 Sedlis et al (1979) stated that the highest rate of dysplasia is found in 20 - 29 years’ age group.13 In a study by Deshpande Sonali et al, mean age of the study group was 36.5 years with a range of 21 - 63 years.14 The mean age of squamous intraepithelial lesion is higher in our study than the mean age in other studies. This may be because the patients in our study usually came for other gynaecological problems at a later age and not specifically for screening.

 

Parity

Majority of the study group were para two (33%) and para three (34%).

All patients of severe dysplasia were multiparous. It is similar to the findings of Christopherson and Parker 1960.15

Maliphant (1949), stressed the increasing risk of malignancy with each pregnancy. He found that the risk of malignancy in married women with children was twice as compared to the married women without children and it was ten times more when unmarried women were taken into consideration.16

Purandare et al (1977) in their study found a stepwise chronological progression in severity of epithelial abnormalities increasing with abnormal smear in the years of married life. The number of epithelial abnormalities increased with the parity.17

Juneja et al in 1993, did a study concluding that the rate of malignancy was higher in women above 40 years and those with 2 children or more.18

Sujathan et al concluded that those subjects with a parity of more than 3 and a marital life of more than 20 years had a significantly higher number of cytological abnormalities.19

 

Symptom

In our study, the commonest symptom was recurrent white discharge per vagina (79%) similar to study done by Deshpande Sonali et al14 (85%).

Maximum number of cases were found to be in the upper lower (68%) socioeconomic status as per Modified Kuppuswamy Scale.

In 93% cases, the age at first intercourse age < 20 years.

Coital frequency was 5 - 14 per month in 67% cases, which is similar to study by Rotkin et al.

 

Pap smear

In our study, sensitivity of Pap smear was found to be 43.2%. This is because 15 cases of mild dysplasia (LSIL) and 6 cases of moderate-to-severe dysplasia (HSIL) were under-reported as inflammatory. Positive Pap smear [LSIL/HSIL] was significantly associated with LSIL/HSIL/malignancy (p < 0.001, Chi2 [22.4]) Also, positive Pap smear [LSIL/HSIL] was significantly associated with malignancy [p= 0.002, Chi2= 13.1]. As a screening test, the Pap smear has been found to have a low sensitivity between 44% and 50%, resulting in a high false negative rate of 36% - 40%.20 The sensitivity of Pap smear has been found to be lower in developing countries, because of presence of infection and inflammation. The high specificity of Pap smear (95.2%) found in our study is similar to findings from other studies in which specificity ranges from 91% - 97%.20 In a prospective study by Goel A et al, the sensitivity of Pap smear was 50% and specificity was 92.4%.21 In our study, the positive predictive value was found to be 84.2%, negative predictive value was 74.07% and accuracy was 76%.

 

Colposcopy and histology

100 patients with abnormalities on colposcopy underwent directed biopsy. Biopsy was taken from the most abnormal area. Colposcopy result was classified according to the modified Reid Colposcopic Index. Out of the 23 cases that came in the high-grade category (RCI 5 - 8), histopathology report was malignancy in 3 cases, HSIL in 11 cases and LSIL in 6 cases; 3 cases were negative for dysplasia which were over-reported in colposcopy. Therefore, the correct histological prediction happened in 11 cases out of 23 giving an agreement of 47.82%; 3 cases (13.04%) were over-reported, i.e. histology was less advanced than expected; 6 cases (26.08%) were under-reported. Out of 48 cases of RCI 3-4, LSIL/HSIL was confirmed by biopsy in 15 cases (31.25%) and 33 cases were negative for dysplasias (68.75%).

In 29 cases, which were colposcopically reported as RCI 0-2, 1 case was histologically confirmed as LSIL/CIN1 (3.44%), 1 case as HSIL (3.44%) and 27 cases were negative for dysplasia (93.10%). Correlation between colposcopic findings and biopsy showed a good correlation for higher grade lesions (CIN III). In our study, the positive predictive value of RCI 5 - 8 group is 87%. High RCI [6 - 8] was significantly associated with malignancy. [P= 0.001, Chi2= 10.5]. High RCI [5 - 8] was significantly associated with HSIL [P < 0.001, Chi2= 31.4]. RCI [3 - 4] was not significantly associated with HSIL [p= 0.56, Chi2= 0.32] association of RCI [3 - 4] with malignancy could not be established, as there is no positive case.

In a study by Ancuţa Boicea et al, 245 patients presented with malignant findings at colposcopy and biopsy. Colposcopic findings: 28 (11.4%) cases were CIN I, 50 (20.4%) cases were CIN II, 150 (61.2%) cases were CIN III, 13 (5.3%) cases were microinvasive carcinoma and four (1.6%) cases were CIS. Histological results in the 245 examined cases were 4 (1.6%) cases normal, 26 (10.6%) cases CIN I, 55 (22.4%) cases CIN II, 138 (56.3%) cases CIN III, 15 (6.1%) cases microinvasive carcinoma and seven (2.8%) cases of CIS. The correlation was 78.5% in the CIN I category, 84% in the CIN II category, 88.6% (133 out of 150 patients) in the CIN III category, 46.1% for microinvasive carcinoma and 50% for CIS. The colposcopy method incurred fewer false negatives (four patients), giving a general accuracy rate of 98.3%. Sensitivity of colposcopic examination was 83.6%.22

Massad et al in 2002 performed colposcopies on 2825 women. Exact agreement was on 893 women (37%), but results agreed within 1 grade in 75% cases.23 Boonlikit S in 2011, studied the correlation between Reid’s Colposcopic Index and histologic results from biopsy in 100 patients. Overall, predictive accuracy was 89% and had good correlation with histology.24 Stafl and Mattingly found correlation between colposcopy and histology to be 85%. Histology was less advanced than expected in 11.7% cases and more advanced than expected in 3.3% cases.25

Javaheri et al did colposcopy and directed biopsy on patients with abnormal Pap smears. They achieved a histological correlation of 85.9% in high-grade lesions and a correlation of 95.9% in low-grade lesions; 12.2% patients had less advanced histological diagnosis in the high-grade lesion group.26

Maziah AM et al in 1991, in a comparative study of cytologic and colposcopic findings in preclinical cervical cancer, obtained an accuracy rate of 94% for colposcopy. The colposcopic findings rates were: 10% for CIN I, 34% for CIN II, 34% for CIN III and 12% for invasive carcinoma. Histology findings were: 10% were CIN I, 20% were CIN II, 60% were CIN III and 10% were micro-invasive carcinoma.27

Díaz-Amézquita EL et al in 2006, in a study of establishing cytologic, histologic and colposcopic correlations of low- and high-grade cervical lesions found a 69.61% rate (142 of 204).28 Olaniyan OB et al in 2002, conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the validity of colposcopy in the diagnosis of early cervical neoplasia. Eight longitudinal studies were selected, which compared correlation of colposcopic impression with colposcopically directed biopsy results. The prevalence of cervical disease in the studies ranged from 40% to 89%. Colposcopic accuracy was 89%, which agreed exactly with histology in 61% of cases. The sensitivity and specificity of colposcopy for the threshold of normal vs. all cervical abnormalities were 87% - 99% and 26% - 87% respectively. For the threshold of normal and low-grade SIL vs. high-grade SIL, the values were 30% - 90% and 67% - 97%.29

Brotzman GL et al in 2004, in a study made on 564 patients observed that the colposcopic impression correctly predicted the presence of LSIL compared with gold standard biopsy results in 64.3% of the time. The colposcopic impression of HSIL, compared with biopsy results correctly predicted the presence of HSIL 70% of the time. There was a 12.7% error rate in discriminating normal from LSIL.30

Moss EL et al, in 2009 studied 469 patients to determine whether colposcopy is reliable in diagnosing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women who have undergone a previous cervical excision biopsy: the sensitivity and specificity of colposcopy for any cervical disease were 93.9% respectively 51.9%.31 Pimple SA et al in 2010 made an evaluation of colposcopy vs. cytology as secondary test to triage women found positive on visual inspection test. The colposcopic impression was CIN I in 33.8% of cases, CIN II–III in 8.6% of cases, and invasive carcinoma in 2.7% of cases. Histopathology findings were reported as benign in 81.6%, CIN I in 5.8% of cases, CIN II in 2.9% of cases, CIN III in 2.6% of cases and invasive carcinoma in 2.9% of cases. The estimates of sensitivity for low- and high-threshold colposcopy were 58% and 74.5% respectively, and those of specificity were 57.5% and 92.9% respectively.32

CONCLUSION

Cervical cancer develops from well-defined precursor lesions in a varied period of time. Detected in early or pre-invasive stages cervical cancer is preventable and curable, so detection of precancerous lesions is very important.

In our study, we found high correlation between colposcopy and histology in the RCI 6 - 8 group.

Also, there is high positive predictive value of RCI 6 - 8 group. Colposcopy with directed biopsy is used in the evaluation and management of patients with cervical lesions and described as the ‘gold standard’ for the diagnosis of cervical precancer.

Pap smear had a poorer sensitivity, but a better specificity. Hence, it may be better to utilise both tests as they complement each other in screening of precancerous lesions. While the Pap smear discovers the crime, colposcopy locates the culprit.

 

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