Histopathological correlation of squamous cell abnormalities detected on cervical cytology

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the correlation between cytology and cervical biopsy in patients with squamous cell abnormality on cervical cytology. Material and Method: The cervical smears diagnosed in our clinic between 2005-2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Cases which exhibited squamous cell abnormality (n: 374) were evaluated. Results: The mean age was 45.15±10.78. In the cytopathological results, 256 (68.4%) ASC-US, 21 (5.6%) ASC-H, 31 (8.2%) LSIL, 48 (12.8%) HSIL, and 8 (4.8%) invasive carcinomas were diagnosed. Histopathological results were 213 (57%) nonneoplastic, 85 (22.7%) CIN I, 14 (3.7%) CIN II, 34(9.0%) CIN III and 28 (7.5%) invasive squamous cell carcinomas. Including all squamous cell abnormalities, the sensitivity of the smear test in CIN I and higher grade lesions was 56.95% and the false positivity was 43.04%. Excluding ASC-US and ASC-H lesions, the sensitivity of the smear test was 77.31% and the false positivity was 22.68%. After evaluating cervical cytohistopathological correlation, the positive predictive value was found to be 100% in invasive carcinoma, 62% in HSIL and 38% in LSIL. Conclusion: As the grade of cytopathological result increases, the correlation between biopsy and the smear test also increases. The high sensitivity of the cervical smear test for high-grade lesions shows that it is an effective screening test.