Value of colposcopy in genitourinary departments

During 18 months 237 colposcopies were performed on 227 patients in the department of genitourinary medicine, Sheffield. Histological evidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was found in 118 patients (52%), of whom 104 (88%) were aged under 35, 93 (79%) under 30, and 64 (54%) under 25. Most were treated with local destructive treatment, only five (4%) requiring cone biopsy. Colposcopy in a genitourinary department has an important part to play in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, particularly in younger women. Early diagnosis may often facilitate using local destructive treatment, thereby reducing the numbers of patients needing cone biopsy.