Colposcopy: The scientific basis

Abstract

Colposcopy was first introduced in 1925 in Germany by Hans Hinselman. A colposcopeworks on the hypothesis that by magnifying the cervix and applying good illumination, early stages of cervical cancer could be picked -up. Other workers in the field include Schiller, Papanicolou, and Ayres who all contributed to the early detection of cervical cancer. The basic issue is the transformation zone (TZ). It is an area that forms from squamous metaplasia of columnar epithelium. The area where the two epithelia meet is referred to as the squamo-columnar junction SCJ. It is the most important landmark in cytology and colposcopy, where 90% of cervical neoplasm originates. More units are incorporating colposcopy into their practice so as to improve care of women with abnormal smears. Therefore, understanding of the scientific basis of colposcopy is important in carrying out the procedure according to agreed international standards.

Cervical Cytology or Colposcopy in the Identification of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplastic Changes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Patients in an African Population?

“…The usual triad of primary screening technique is that of Pap smear and those found to be abnormal are referred for HPV testing and colposcopy in the general population. However, in areas where Pap smear screening is not feasible, visual inspection is done as the primary test [14][15][16].…”

Evaluación de la citología, colposcopia e histología para detectar neoplasia cervical intraepitelial de alto grado en el Hospital Materno Infantil German Urquidi

“…La colposcopia es el procedimiento por el cual se aumenta la imagen del epitelio del cuello uterino con un instrumento estereoscópico que ayuda a detectar con mayor precisión las etapas iniciales de lesiones preneoplásicas y cáncer de cuello uterino 23,24 . Para determinar la eficacia de la impresión colposcópica para detectar NIC 2+ en el presente estudio, se comparó esta con el resultado de histopatología de la biopsia obtenida por la misma colposcopia.…”

Training of health professionals and its impact on the trace of precursoring injuries of the uterine column cancer

“…(4) Já para as amostras satisfatórias é importante estarem presentes os epitélios representativos, uma vez que o conhecimento da anatomia básica do colo do útero pelo coletador é imprescindível para se obter uma coleta de material adequado. (13) A variável "epitélios representados na amostra" foi agrupada de forma a contemplar a representatividade da JEC em que, a presença de células endocervicais e/ou metaplásicas é, no mínimo, de dez células, bem preservadas, isoladas ou em agrupamento. (14) A variável "resultado do exame" foi classificada em negativo para lesão intraepitelial e/ou malignidade, lesão menos grave (ASC-US / LSIL) e lesão mais grave (ASC-H / AGC / HSIL / AIS / CA), conforme o procedimento preconizado pelo Ministério da Saúde para o acompanhamento e terapêutica de cada caso.…”