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9d. Management of women with normal and abnormal cytology

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Figures 9d-1 to 4 in this chapter are taken from Chapter 2 in the European guidelines for quality assurance in cervical cancer screening: http://screening.iarc.fr/doc/ND7007117ENC_002.pdf).

 

Central register

In an organised programme a central register should hold patient details (name. date of birth, address), registered GP name and address, vaccination status, screening history (previous tests and coded results) and links to laboratory results (cytology and histology), colposcopy findings and the national cancer registry.

 

Information to women

Information leaflets

  • Information leaflets should be provided to women before the cytology or HPV test is performed explaining the procedures for repeat tests or investigation of abnormal results.
  • Contact details for personal advice should be included in the leaflets
  • Information leaflets explaining the benefits and limitations of screening should be provided before woman consent to have their cytology or HPV test verbally or in writing as required by local or national protocols.

 

Result letters

  • Women should be informed in writing of their cytology results in a timely manner with an explanation of what the HPV results, terms and cytology categories mean.
  • Contact details should be given for further information and personal consultation at the clinic they attended for the test or their GP.

 

Invitation letters

Invitation letters should be sent to women according to local or national protocols for age range and intervals for routine screening (e.g. call at age 24, 3-yearly to 49, 5-yearly to 64 as in the UK or variations as required in different countries).  The system in Denmark is one example of a call and recall system, which takes note of women who do not want to take part in the programme.

 

Figure 9d-1.  Flowchart of invitations for screening in Denmark (Figure 6 from the European guidelines, Chapter 2)

Invitations for screening

  • Invitation letters should be sent to all women in the age groups recommended regionally and nationally for screening
  • Information should be provided to all women about the benefits and limitations of screening
  • Procedures should be available for women to opt out of screening if they so wish

 

Intervals for screening and age groups screened

Intervals and age ranges vary throughout Europe and worldwide: invitations from age 20-25 years to 64 years at 3-5 yearly intervals are the general rule as shown in Figure 9c-2.

 

Figure 9d-2.  Screening intervals and age range of women screened in Europe (Table 5 from the European guidelines, Chapter 2.)

 

Cytology results

Cytology results should include a text report, a classification translatable into the Bethesda system (Inadequate, with reasons; NIMLS; ASC-US, ASC-H, AGC, LSIL, HSIL, cancer) and a recommendation for further action.

 

HPV tests

HPV tests should be carried out in an accredited laboratory and should be requested by the cytology laboratory according to the cytology test result and local protocols for triage and test of cure.

HPV results should be included in the cytology report

 

Recommended action

Depends on local and national protocols for screening intervals, HPV triage etc.

Routine recall          

  • Women with negative results and negative screening histories should be recalled after 3 – 5 years depending on regional and national protocols.

 

Early recall (3, 6 or 12 months as agreed in regional or national programme)

  • Inadequate tests should be repeated in 3 months since immediate repeat tests may be unreliable.
  • First occurrence of ASC-US and LSIL may be repeated in 3 or 6 months depending on regional or national protocols for referral and availability of HPV triage
  • Negative cytology as follow up of previous ASC-US or LSIL that was managed by cytological surveillance.
  • Treatment of CIN: duration of follow up depends on regional or national protocols and availability of HPV test of cure.
  • Positive HPV with negative cytology depending on age, screening history and regional and local protocols.

 

Figure 9d-3. Protocols for follow up to be decided regionally or nationally (Table A3 from Annex 1 of the European guidelines)

 

Recommendation for colposcopy

HSIL, ASC-H, AGC, AIS or cancer in asymptomatic women.
LSIL (first or second occurrence depending on regional or national protocols)
ASC-US / HPV-positive
Negative cytology / HPV-positive (first or second occurrence depending on regional or national protocols and age of patient)

 

Recommendation for gynaecological referral

Symptoms that might be related to invasive cancer (e.g. post-coital bleeding, post-menopausal bleeding) whatever the result of the cytology test
Abnormal cytology suggesting cervical cancer in symptomatic women
Cytological changes suggesting non-cervical neoplasia

 

Figure 9d-4. Protocols for referral to be decided regionally or nationally (Table A4 from Annex 1 of the European guidelines)

 

Reminders to women

Reminders should be sent from the central register, laboratory or colposcopy clinic depending on regional or national protocols to remind women for repeat tests or appointments, with defaulter letters for non-responders
Details of reminders and responses should be held on screening records.

 

Regional and national variation

  • Recommendations for invitations, normal recall, early repeat and colposcopy follow the same principles but vary in detail
  • Details of screening intervals, age groups screened, HPV triage and management of women with abnormal cytology follow regional or national protocols 

 

The European guidelines for quality assurance in cervical cancer screening as quoted in this chapter are available online: http://screening.iarc.fr/doc/ND7007117ENC_002.pdf

NHS Cervical Screening Programme guidelines are available online: http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/

The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology are available as: www.asccp.org/Portals/9/docs/ASCCP%20Management%20Guidelines_August%202014.pdf

 

Learning points from Chapter 9d

  1. Invitation letters should include information about benefits and limitations of screening and should provide procedures for opting out if they so wish.
  2. Intervals for screening and age groups to be screened depend on regional and national policy but recommendations are provided in European guidelines.
  3. Cytology reports should include a recommendation for management in terms of routine recall, early repeat or referral for colposcopy.
  4. Protocols and systems should be available for ensuring follow up of recommendations for early repeat or referral and recording instances of default or other personal decisions by patients.
  5. Repeat after treatment of specific infections (TV, Candida) or forms of inflammation (atrophic cervicitis) may be recommended if the reactive changes make it difficult to interpret the cytology.
  6. Referral for investigation should be recommended for symptomatic women whatever the result of the cytology.