Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume 24, Issue 1 , Pages 51-60, February 2010

The management of women with abnormal cervical cytology in pregnancy

  • Grainne Flannelly, MD, FRCOG, FRCPI (Consultant Gynaecologist)

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationTel: +353 1 6373152; Fax: +353 1 6373158.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Maternity Hospital, Holles St, Dublin, Ireland

published online 27 August 2009.

The management of women with abnormal cytology in pregnancy represents both a diagnostic and a therapeutic challenge for colposcopists. The emphasis should be on diagnosis and confirmation of cervical precancer (Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), thus excluding invasive cancer). Following an initial assessment, careful follow-up is essential. This must include colposcopy and take into account the physiological changes of the cervix during pregnancy and the puerperium. The management of women with invasive cancer diagnosed during pregnancy depends on the gestation at diagnosis and requires careful assessment and multidisciplinary planning.

Keywords: cervix, pregnancy, Cytology, colposcopy, cervical epithelial neoplasia, diagnosis, treatment

 

PII: S1521-6934(09)00101-1

doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2009.07.001

Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Volume 24, Issue 1 , Pages 51-60, February 2010