Frequency and histological-cytological correlation of premalignant and malignant changes in the cervix in women of different ages

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common and accounts for about 6.6% of all cancers in women. Aim: The aim was to determine the frequency of premalignant and malignant changes in the cervix, to examine the histological-cytological correlation of premalignant and malignant changes in the cervix and the correlation of the women's age with the stage of cervical disease. Material and Methods: A retrospective study analyzed 186 cervical biopsy specimens and cervical smears (Papanicolau test) at the Institute of Pathology of the Faculty of Medicine in Pristina, based in Kosovska Mitrovica, over a three-year period from 2016 to 2018. Results: Of the 186 subjects, 62 had mild premalignant changes of type LSIL, 22 HSIL, and as many as 20 (10.75%) cervical cancer. There was a statistically significant positive association between histological and cytological findings (r = 0.854; p <0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the age of the subjects with regard to histological findings (F = 11,327; p <0.001). Subjects with HSIL were significantly older than those diagnosed with cervicitis chronica (p = 0.029). Subjects diagnosed with planocellular carcinoma were significantly older than women with cervicitis chronica (p <0.001) and LSIL (p <0.001). Conclusion: There is an increasing trend of cervical cancer in Northern Kosovo and in the Serbian enclaves in central Kosovo and Metohija. Subjects with cervical cancer were significantly older than subjects with mild premalignant cervical changes. There is a significant histologic-cytological correlation of cervical findings, so we believe that more massive cervical screening, especially in younger women, could reduce the incidence of premalignant and malignant diseases of the cervix.