Editorial
GYNECOLOGIC CYTOLOGY – CERVIX UTERI
Silvana Audy-Jurković
Anita Grgurević-Batinica
Vesna Mahovlić
Ines Krivak
Abstract
Cervical carcinoma can be prevented by health education (primary prevention) or early detection (secondary¬ prevention). Cytologic analysis, generally known as Papanicolaou (Pap) test, is the most widely used method of secondary prevention. Among other parameters, the classification of cytologic findings includes differentiation of premalignant and malignant lesions, and identification of the agents causing sexually transmitted diseases (bacteria, fungi, parasites) or their cytopathic effects (viruses). The latest classification proposal is the NCI Bethesda System 2001 at the international level, and Zagreb 1990 in Croatia. Cytology can be used as a screening method of lesion detection to discriminate between positive and negative findings, or as a differential diagnosis method to predict the histologic diagnosis. In differential diagnosis, cytology is one of the complementary diagnostic methods along with colposcopy and histology, which taken together allow for a more accurate diagnosis to make. The conventional Pap test as a screening method for cervical carcinoma has been confirmed through the morbidity and mortality decrease, and is recommended in countries with developed cytology service like Croatia. Even higher screening sensitivity is achieved by the use of sophisticated cytologic¬ methods (LBC and computed cytologic analysis) and their combination with other methods (HPV DNA typing). Nation-wide cytologic screening has been used in many European Union countries. In Croatia, the main professional preconditions for national screening have been met, however, the plan and program should be designed, and the financial support ensured.
Keywords
gynecologic cytology; cervix uteri
Hrčak ID:
15514
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2003.
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