A long-term evaluation of the CIN-lesions. A clinicopathological study

Among patients treated over a 20-year period cytological screening demonstrated a high-grade cervical dyscariosis (III-V Papanicolaou group) in 565 (2.3%) cases. In a group of 159 of these patients, all with cervical erythroplasia, a detailed study was possible and punch-biopsy (without colposcopy) was performed. Comparative analysis of cytology and pre-operative histology revealed good correlation. The patients in whom punch-biopsy demonstrated high-grade CIN and also those with negative histology, but with dyscariosis permanently occurring in cervicovaginal smears, underwent surgical treatment (conization). The results of histology in the punch-biopsies and in the surgical specimens of the cervix were discordant, mostly in low-grade CIN. Most patients are alive and well and remain in permanent clinical control. Conclusion--Cytology is a useful method of selecting the high-risk patients, who should subsequently be followed clinically, by cytology and histology. Surgical treatment seems to prevent invasive cancer: however these patients should remain under permanent control.