The ASC/SIL Ratio for Cytopathologists as a Quality Control Measure: A Follow-up Study (original) (raw)
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Cancer, 2001
BACKGROUND. The diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) remains an enigma for the treating physician, because it encompasses both benign, reactive, as well as preneoplastic and possibly neoplastic conditions. To address this problem, The Bethesda System recommends qualifying the ASCUS diagnosis. This study analyzes the difference in the follow-up results between the various groups of patients with an ASCUS diagnosis as outlined by the Criteria Committee: favor premalignant (ASCUS-P), favor reactive (ASCUS-R), and unqualified (ASCUS-C). The outcome, based on follow-up biopsies and/or cytologies, for both the conventional Papanicolaou smear (CS) and liquid-based (LB) methodologies is compared.
JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2001
Background: More than 2 million U.S. women receive an equivocal cervical cytologic diagnosis (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASCUS]) each year. Effective colposcopy triage strategies are needed to identify the minority of women who have clinically significant disease while avoiding excessive follow-up evaluation for others. Methods: The ASCUS/LSIL (i.e., low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) Triage Study (ALTS) is a multicenter, randomized trial comparing the sensitivity and specificity of the following three management strategies to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3): 1) immediate colposcopy (considered to be the reference standard), 2) triage to colposcopy based on human papillomavirus (HPV) results from Hybrid Capture 2™ (HC 2) and thin-layer cytology results, or 3) triage based on cytology results alone. This article summarizes the cross-sectional enrollment results for 3488 women with a referral diagnosis of ASCUS. All statistical tests are two-sided. Results: Among participants with ASCUS, the underlying prevalence of histologically confirmed CIN3 was 5.1%. Sensitivity to detect CIN3 or above by testing for cancer-associated HPV DNA was 96.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 91.6% to 98.8%), with 56.1% of women referred to colposcopy. Sensitivity of a single repeat cytology specimen with a triage threshold of HSIL or above was 44.1% (95% CI = 35.6% to 52.9%), with 6.9% referred. Sensitivity of a lower cytology triage threshold of ASCUS or above was 85.3% (95% CI = 78.2% to 90.8%), with 58.6% referred. Conclusions: HC 2 testing for cancer-associated HPV DNA is a viable option in the management of women with ASCUS. It has greater sensitivity to detect CIN3 or above and specificity comparable to a single additional cytologic test indicating ASCUS or above. [J Natl Cancer Inst 2001;93:293-9]
JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2001
Background: More than 2 million U.S. women receive an equivocal cervical cytologic diagnosis (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASCUS]) each year. Effective colposcopy triage strategies are needed to identify the minority of women who have clinically significant disease while avoiding excessive follow-up evaluation for others. Methods: The ASCUS/LSIL (i.e., low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) Triage Study (ALTS) is a multicenter, randomized trial comparing the sensitivity and specificity of the following three management strategies to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3): 1) immediate colposcopy (considered to be the reference standard), 2) triage to colposcopy based on human papillomavirus (HPV) results from Hybrid Capture 2™ (HC 2) and thin-layer cytology results, or 3) triage based on cytology results alone. This article summarizes the cross-sectional enrollment results for 3488 women with a referral diagnosis of ASCUS. All statistical tests are two-sided. Results: Among participants with ASCUS, the underlying prevalence of histologically confirmed CIN3 was 5.1%. Sensitivity to detect CIN3 or above by testing for cancer-associated HPV DNA was 96.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 91.6% to 98.8%), with 56.1% of women referred to colposcopy. Sensitivity of a single repeat cytology specimen with a triage threshold of HSIL or above was 44.1% (95% CI = 35.6% to 52.9%), with 6.9% referred. Sensitivity of a lower cytology triage threshold of ASCUS or above was 85.3% (95% CI = 78.2% to 90.8%), with 58.6% referred. Conclusions: HC 2 testing for cancer-associated HPV DNA is a viable option in the management of women with ASCUS. It has greater sensitivity to detect CIN3 or above and specificity comparable to a single additional cytologic test indicating ASCUS or above. [J Natl Cancer Inst 2001;93:293-9]
Cancer, 2000
BACKGROUND. The Bethesda System (TBS) and its accompanying atlas were developed to promote uniform diagnosis and reporting of cervical and vaginal cytology, especially with respect to borderline abnormal smears. The authors assessed whether group study of TBS atlas improves the reproducibility and accuracy of the cytopathologic diagnosis of equivocal Papanicolaou smears. METHODS. One hundred "atypical" smears were divided into pretest and posttest sets containing equal numbers of negative, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), and squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) diagnoses based on a five-member panel review. Two comparable teams of four pathologists from George Washington University Medical Center (Washington, DC) and Kaiser Permanente (Portland, OR), each comprised of two more experienced cytopathologists and two less experienced pathologists, independently reviewed the 50 pretest slides and classified the slides according to TBS as negative, ASCUS, or SIL. The teams then conducted group study sessions using TBS atlas. After the review, the pathologists independently classified the 50 posttest slides in a similar manner. RESULTS. Pretest, pair-wise interobserver agreement ranged from 30% to 66% compared with 34-62% for posttest agreement. Absolute percent agreement of reviewers' diagnoses with a previously developed consensus diagnosis based on opinions of a five-expert panel (cytopathologic certainty scale) ranged from 44% to 62% for the pretest set and from 40% to 60% for the posttest set. Comparison of the detection of oncogenic human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA by hybrid capture tube test with smears classified as negative, ASCUS, or SIL revealed that seven of eight reviewers did not demonstrate a stronger association between HPV detection and cytologic diagnosis in the posttest set. CONCLUSIONS. Review of TBS atlas by itself does not appear to improve the reproducibility or accuracy of cytologic diagnoses. The lack of improvement was similar among the pathologists involved regardless of experience level or whether they had a close working relation.
African Journal of Reproductive Health, 2011
The entity of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in The Bethesda System 2001 for reporting cervical cytology is characterized by equivocal diagnosis, poor reproducibility and debatable management. This retrospective study was done to analyse the causes of false ASCUS if any and identify the educational needs as part of quality assurance programme. Cervical smears of all ASCUS cases reported over the one-year period were reviewed by the Cytopathologist. Relevant clinical data was retrieved. ASCUS was the most common type of abnormality representing 43.0 % cases among 294 abnormal smears reported during study period. 16.0% cases were found to be non ASCUS on review. The main four causes of over use of ASCUS diagnosis were poor quality smears and cellular atypia associated with Candida infection, atrophy and squamous metaplasia. Educational measures are being undertaken to avoid over diagnosis and improve the patient management (Afr J Reprod Health 2011; 15[1]: 111-114). Résumé Causes des fausses cellules de l'épithélium atypique d'un diagnostic d'une signification inconnue et le besoin éducatif dans un Centre Hospitalier Universitaire. L'entité des cellules de l'épithélium atypique d'une signification non déterminée(CEAS) dans le système Bethesda 2001 destiné à la déclaration de la cytologie cervicale est caractérisée par le diagnostic équivoque, une mauvaise reproductivité et un traitement discutable. Cette étude rétrospective a été faite pour analyser les causes des fausses CEAS, si cela existe, et d'identifier les besoins éducatifs comme faisant partie du programme de l'assurance de qualité. Le Cytopathologue a passé en revue tous les frottis de tous les cas de la CEAS qui ont été déclarés au cours d'une année. Les données cliniques nécessaires ont été rétablies. La CEAS était l'anomalie la plus commune, ce qui représente 43,0% parmi les 294 frottis anomaux qui ont été déclarés au cours de la période de l'étude. A la revue, on a découvert que 16,0% n'étaient pas des CEAS. Les quatre causes principales du suremploi du diagnostic de la CEAS étaient la mauvaise qualité du frottis et l'atypie cellulaire liée à l'infection candidose, l'atrophie et la métaplasie squameuse. On prend des mesures éducatives pour éviter le surdiagnostic et pour améliorer le traitement de la patiente (Afr
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1998
OBJECTIVE: Our intent was to compare the management of patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance on cytologic screening at an academic center to published guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the management of 223 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance cervical smears. Patients with a history of dysplasia were excluded. The time interval to and nature of follow-up testing was determined, and the influence of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance qualifiers and provider specialty analyzed. RESULTS: Initial follow-up consisted of repeat cytologic examination alone in 94% of cases. Of patients with follow-up, 29% were retested within 2 months and 68% within 4 months. No conclusive differences in management were found by qualifier type or by provider specialty. Subsequent high-grade dysplasia was found in 2.6% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: A discrepancy exists between published guidelines and actual management of patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance smears at this medical center. Patients often undergo follow-up testing at shorter intervals than those suggested despite a low likelihood of finding highgrade disease.