Conization for CIN associated with human papillomavirus infection

We report results of follow-up by PAP smears and colposcopy in 116 women treated since 1981 by conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with human papillomavirus infection (HPV-CIN). The mean follow-up time was 31.9 (SD 19) months. Preoperative diagnosis was HPV-CIN II (with extension into the endocervix) in 11 cases and HPV-CIN III in 103 cases; two diagnostic conizations were performed. The histological examination of the cone biopsies showed complete excision of CIN in 109 cases (94%). Three patients underwent hysterectomy after conization; one had microinvasion in the cone biopsy, one had suspicion of microinvasion and one had non-radical conization. Three patients (2.6%) were lost to follow-up. After excluding these six patients the primary cure rate of HPV lesions (normal cytological and colposcopical finding after conization) was 82.7%. Four patients (4.6%) had residual CIN after conization. During the follow-up 15 patients had recurrence of HPV infection, only one had HPV-CIN I. HPV 16 was the most common HPV type (56/116, 48.2%) in the conization group and also in the recurrent cases (9/15, 60%). The results support the role of HPV 16 in cervical carcinogenesis.