Opportunistic Cervical Cancer Screening Using Liquid-Based Cytology in a Gynaecology Outpatient Setting: A...

Background: Cervical cancer is a major public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Early detection through effective screening methods is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality. Opportunistic cervical cytology testing in outpatient settings plays an important role in the early identification of precancerous lesions. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of liquid-based cytology (LBC) in detecting precancerous lesions and cervical cancer in a defined population. One hundred women aged between 25 and 75 years were screened using LBC. Cytological specimens were processed and analyzed by experienced cytopathologists. Results: The detection rate of precancerous lesions was 13% (n = 13), and cervical cancer was detected in 2% (n = 2) of patients. Most patients attending the outpatient department (OPD) were in the fourth decade of life (30-39 years; 37 cases, 37%), followed by the third decade (20-29 years; 23 cases, 23%). Of the patients diagnosed with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), 72.7% (8 out of 11) were in the 51-70 years age group. Conclusion: LBC demonstrated a detection rate of 13% for premalignant lesions and 2% for cervical cancer in this opportunistic screening population. The majority of LSIL/HSIL cases occurred in women aged 51-70 years, suggesting that older age groups may benefit from targeted screening efforts. These findings provide valuable insights into the performance of LBC in this setting and can inform the development of effective cervical cancer screening programs to reduce disease burden.