Cervical Pathology Flashcards
What is the cervix?
(3)
Neck of the womb (Uterus)
Protects sterile environment of uterus
Supports uterus
What are the two main components of the cervix?
Ectocervix
Endocervix
What is the ectocervix?
Stratified squamous epithelium
Protection against infections and mechanical insult
What is the endocervix?
(4)
Glandular epithelium
Crypts can be seen
Honeycomb pattern
Palisade
What cervical specimen types are seen in histology?
(4)
LLETZ
LEEP
Cone Biopsy
Resection
How is cervical cancer screening carried out?
Brush cervix with plastic broom
Cells washed in a liquid medium
Use liquid based cytology
Vile sent to laboratory for HPV testing (DNA or RNA testing)
We use 6400 DNA testing
Transient HPV infection (HPV DNA) but it hasn’t integrated into host cells -> no risk of developing cancer associated -> need to triage these tests so we don’t have to recall too many women -> this is why we use the morphology assessment
Transient population -> patient clears HPV without treatment
Positive HPV and cytology morphology positive for colposcopy
Positive HPV but negative morphology -> women called back after 12 months
If HPV still persistent then may be sent on for colposcopy
What is a transient population
Patient clear HPV without treatment
What does a positive HPV and cytology morphology mean
Sent for colposcopy
What does a positive HPV but negative morphology mean
Women called back after 12 months
What does a persistent HPV infection mean
Woman sent for colposcopy
What happens if assessment of cervix deems changes in cervix
If changes are seem then there is removal of cervix tissue via colposcopy for histology
What is colposcopy?
(7)
Visualising of the cervix by a colposcopist using a colposcope, tissue may be removed if required. They will perform appropriate treatment.
Colposcopist will visualise the cervix using a colposcope
Application of acetic acid and iodine to define lesion and area of abnormality
Acetic acid shows us regions of more protein in areas of disease
Iodine brings out normal tissue -> normal tissue high in glycogen
Contours are associated with high grade
Frilled edge associated with low grade
What is done in colposcopy
Application of acetic acid and Iugol’s Iodine to identify areas and grade of CIN
What is the procedure behind colposcopy?
(5)
Laser/Cryocautery -> ablation of abnormal area
Punch biopsy -> removal of small pieces of tissue
LEEP
LLETZ
Cone biopsy -> all involve larger fragment of tissue
What is a LEEP
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure
What is LLETZ
Large loop excision of transformation zone
What is done with cervical dissections
These samples would be inked so you know where the margins are
Every single piece of tissue is processed
Give some examples of cervical pathology
(9)
Infections
Endometriosis
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Squamous cell carcinoma
Cervical Glandular intraepithelial Neoplasia
Endocervical adenocarcinoma
Adeno-squamous carcinoma
TEM/SMILE
Metastatic
How does cervical pathology present?
(5)
Blood
Discharge
Irritation
Irregular contour
Asymptomatic screening
- e.g. Cervical cancer screening programme
Comment on the epidemiology of cervical cancer
(3)
4th most common cancer for women worldwide
6th most common for women in Europe
90% of all cases in low/middle income countries