Colposcopy for Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions Found on Papanicolaou Smear
Barbara D. Reed, MD, MSPH
Arch Fam Med. 1996;5(10):582-583.
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Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings. |
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THE ARTICLE ON cost-benefit analysis of colposcopy for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions found on Papanicolaou smear discusses an important topic in the field of women's health—the cost-benefit of follow-up and treatment of cervical precancerous lesions suggested by an abnormal cytologic smear. This issue has reached worldwide prominence during the past 20 years for several reasons: (1) The identification of squamous intraepithelial lesions on cytologic smears of the cervix and of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the cervix has increased dramatically in the past 20 years. (2) There has been a concomitant accumulation of evidence leading to the understanding of the role of this virus in causing cervical cancer. (3) It is now well recognized that only a minority of precancerous cervical lesions progress to high-grade lesions or cancer—even among those associated with high-risk types of HPV, such as type 16. (4) The substantial false-negative rate for cytologic testing of
. . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]
Author Affiliations
University of Michigan Medical Center Ann Arbor
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