Evaluation of Therapeutic Options in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Narrative Review and Clinical Perspective

Abstract

Background: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) represents a precancerous condition whose effective management is crucial for preventing invasive cervical cancer, a disease that remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. The long pre-invasive phase of cervical carcinogenesis and the availability of effective screening and treatment procedures make CIN a largely preventable and curable entity. Objectives: This review aimed to analyze therapeutic options applied in CIN, correlating interventions with lesion grade and guideline recommendations, in order to outline a management model adapted to the Romanian clinical setting. Materials and Methods: A structured narrative review of 20 published articles addressing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1–3) published between 2021 and 2023 was performed. Relevant studies were identified through a targeted literature search and analyzed descriptively. This study synthesized data from the recent literature and international clinical guidelines to identify management trends and context-specific adaptations. Results: Extracted variables included lesion grade, reported therapeutic approach (surveillance, excisional, or ablative treatment), reproductive considerations, and patient compliance, with international guidelines used as reference standards. Across the reviewed studies, excisional procedures (conization and LEEP) were predominantly reported for high-grade neoplasia (CIN 2–3), while low-grade lesions (CIN 1) were managed either conservatively or through close surveillance. Treatment decisions described in the literature were strongly influenced by patient age, fertility preservation needs, and obstetric history. Overall, management approaches reported in Romanian and international studies were broadly aligned with current guideline recommendations, although variations were observed in the expectant management of younger patients. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the importance of individualized management in cervical dysplasia, integrating lesion characteristics with patient-specific factors. While international guidelines provide a robust framework, their adaptation to the Romanian healthcare context should prioritize patient education, compliance, and structured post-treatment follow-up strategies.