GYNAECOLOGYColposcopic Episodes of Care: Referral, Treatment, Follow-Up, and Exit Patterns of Care for Women With Abnormal Pap Smears
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INTRODUCTION
Colposcopy is a definitive step in the management of women with abnormal cervical cytology. If colposcopic interventions are performed appropriately, the risk of cervical cancer in women at high risk is greatly reduced. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology have published guidelines on the colposcopic management of cervical dysplasia.1., 2. Their intention is to maximize the effectiveness of colposcopy and related
METHODS
This study was conducted at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto. This institute holds databases of health services use and disease registries that cover the entire population of permanent residents of Ontario.
We identified all women age ≥ 14 years during 2010 from the Registered Persons Database, a roster of the beneficiaries of the single universal public insurer for health services. Each person has an encrypted version of her health insurance number, which is also attached
RESULTS
We identified 20 367 women aged ≥ 14 years who began a new colposcopic episode of care in 2010 with a cytologic diagnosis of HSIL, LSIL, or ASCUS; 2638 (12.8%) had HSIL, 9129 (44.8%) had LSIL, and 8600 (42%) had ASCUS. Women aged 20 to 29 accounted for 41% of the study population. HSIL cytology was less common in the 14 to 24 age category and more frequent in the 30 to 39 year category. LSIL was the most common cytologic diagnosis in the 14 to 29 age group, while ASCUS was more common in the ≥ 40 age
DISCUSSION
We determined that 87% of colposcopies were initiated for the minor cytologic abnormalities of LSIL and ASCUS. In 2010, these abnormalities accounted for 17 729 new colposcopic episodes of care out of the total 20 367 episodes. Forty percent of the study population (8114 women) consisted of women less than 30 years of age. Furthermore, of all the women referred to colposcopy for LSIL cytology, only 14% (2802 women) underwent treatment for a lesion.
This finding of high numbers of referrals for
CONCLUSION
Colposcopy is a crucial step in the evaluation of women with cervical cytologic abnormalities leading to the eradication of immediate precursors of invasive disease. While cervical cancer screening programs begin with a focus on women receiving timely and regular Pap smears, colposcopy should be considered as a continuation of the spectrum of cervical cancer prevention. In order to provide the best care possible within a colposcopy program, we should determine the appropriate patient population
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Five-year risks of CIN 2 + and CIN 3 + among women with HPV-positive and HPV-negative LSIL Pap results
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Cited by (4)
Are Women with Antecedent Low-Grade Cytology and <CIN2 Findings in Colposcopy Being Overmanaged?
2022, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology CanadaCitation Excerpt :The Ontario Cervical Cancer Screening Program, currently cytology-based, recommends that those with persistent low-grade cytology, including atypical cells of unknown significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions (LSIL), be referred for colposcopy. Both ASCUS and LSIL cytology account for the majority (85%–88%) of referrals to colposcopy5–10; however, almost 90% of these patients will not have a CIN3+ lesion detected.9 Despite the low risk of CIN3+, this population places a significant burden on the colposcopy resource.
Performance Indicators for Colposcopy in Ontario
2020, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology CanadaCitation Excerpt :With a finding of ASCUS, the 5-year risk of developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3+ is approximately 2.6%, regardless of human papillomavirus status. Approximately 68% of lesions with ASCUS cytology will revert to normal at 6 months.6,7 On the basis of this low risk, the current recommendation in Ontario is for repeat testing in 6 months and referral to colposcopy if ASCUS persists or if a lesion of higher-grade cytology was present.3,8
Measuring colposcopy quality in Canada: Development of population-based indicators
2019, Current OncologyAre Women Who Exit Colposcopy Without Treatment at Elevated Risk for Cervical Cancer?
2017, Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease
Competing Interests: None declared.