Recommended Management of Women with Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US)
General Management Approaches
A program of DNA testing for high-risk (oncogenic) types of HPV, repeat cervical cytologic testing, or colposcopy are all acceptable methods for managing women over the age of 20 years with ASC-US. (AI) When liquid-based cytology is used or when cocollection for HPV DNA testing can be done, "reflex" HPV DNA testing is the preferred approach. (AI)
Women with ASC-US who are HPV DNA negative can be followed up with repeat cytologic testing at 12 months. (BII) Women who are HPV DNA positive should be managed in the same fashion as women with LSIL and be referred for colposcopic evaluation. (AII) Endocervical sampling is preferred for women in whom no lesions are identified (BII) and those with an unsatisfactory colposcopy (AII) but is acceptable for women with a satisfactory colposcopy and a lesion identified in the transformation zone. (CII) Acceptable postcolposcopy management options of women with ASC-US who are HPV positive, but in whom cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is not identified, are HPV DNA testing at 12 months or repeat cytological testing at 6 and 12 months. (BII) It is recommended that HPV DNA testing not be performed at intervals less than 12 months. (EIII)
When a program of repeat cytologic testing is used for managing women with ASC-US, it is recommended that cytologic testing be performed at 6-month intervals until 2 consecutive "negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy" results are obtained. (AII) Colposcopy is recommended for women with ASC-US or greater cytologic abnormality on a repeat test. (AII) After 2 repeat "negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy" results are obtained, women can return to routine cytologic screening. (AII)
When colposcopy is used to manage women with ASC-US, repeat cytologic testing at 12 months is recommended for women in whom CIN is not identified (BIII) Women found to have CIN should be managed according to the 2006 Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia.
Because of the potential for overtreatment, the routine use of diagnostic excisional procedures such as the loop electrosurgical excision procedure is unacceptable for women with an initial ASC-US in the absence of histologically diagnosed CIN 2,3. (EII)
ASC-US in Special Populations
Adolescent Women
In adolescents with ASC-US, follow-up with annual cytologic testing is recommended. (BII) At the 12-month follow-up, only adolescents with HSIL or greater on the repeat cytology should be referred to colposcopy. At the 24-month follow-up, those with an ASC-US or greater result should be referred to colposcopy. (AII) HPV DNA testing and colposcopy are unacceptable for adolescents with ASC-US. (EII) If HPV testing is inadvertently performed, the results should not influence management.
Immunosuppressed and Postmenopausal Women
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected, other immunosuppressed women, and postmenopausal women with ASC-US should be managed in the same manner as women in the general population. (BII)
Pregnant Women
Management options for pregnant women over the age of 20 years with ASC-US are identical to those described for nonpregnant women, with the exception that it is acceptable to defer colposcopy until at least 6 weeks postpartum. (CIII) Endocervical curettage is unacceptable in pregnant women. (EIII)
Recommended Management of Women with Atypical Squamous Cells, Cannot Exclude High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (ASC-H)
The recommended management of women with ASC-H is referral for colposcopic evaluation. (AII) In women in whom CIN 2,3 is not identified, follow-up with HPV DNA testing at 12 months or cytological testing at 6 and 12 months is acceptable. (CIII) Referral to colposcopy is recommended for women who subsequently test positive for HPV DNA or who are found to have ASC-US or greater on their repeat cytologic tests. (BII) If the HPV DNA test is negative or if 2 consecutive repeat cytologic tests are negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, return to routine cytologic screening is recommended. (AI)
Recommended Management of Women with Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSIL)
Colposcopy is recommended for managing women with LSIL, except in special populations (see following text). (AII) Endocervical sampling is preferred for nonpregnant women in whom no lesions are identified (BII) and those with an unsatisfactory colposcopy (AII), but is acceptable for those with a satisfactory colposcopy and a lesion identified in the transformation zone. (CII) Acceptable postcolposcopy management options for women with LSIL cytology in whom CIN 2,3 is not identified are testing for high-risk (oncogenic) types of HPV at 12 months or repeat cervical cytologic testing at 6 and 12 months. (BII) If the HPV DNA test is negative or if 2 consecutive repeat cytologic tests are negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, return to routine cytologic screening is recommended. (AI) If either the HPV DNA test is positive or if repeat cytology is reported as ASC-US or greater, colposcopy is recommended. (AI) Women found to have CIN should be managed according to the appropriate 2006 Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia. In the absence of CIN identified histologically, diagnostic excisional or ablative procedures are unacceptable for the initial management of patients with LSIL. (EII)
LSIL in Special Populations
Adolescents
In adolescents with LSIL, follow-up with annual cytologic testing is recommended. (AII) At the 12-month follow-up, only adolescents with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) or greater on the repeat cytology should be referred to colposcopy. At the 24-month follow-up, those with an ASC-US or greater result should be referred to colposcopy. (AII) HPV DNA testing is unacceptable for adolescents with LSIL. (EII) If HPV DNA testing is inadvertently performed, the results should not influence management.
Postmenopausal Women
Acceptable options for the management of postmenopausal women with LSIL include "reflex" HPV DNA testing, repeat cytological testing at 6 and 12 months, and colposcopy. (CIII) If the HPV DNA test is negative or CIN is not identified at colposcopy, repeat cytology in 12 months is recommended. If either the HPV DNA test is positive or the repeat cytology is ASC-US or greater, colposcopy is recommended. (AII) If 2 consecutive repeat cytologic tests are negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, return to routine cytologic screening is recommended.
Pregnant Women
Colposcopy is preferred for pregnant, nonadolescent women with LSIL cytology. (BII) Endocervical curettage is unacceptable in pregnant women. (EIII) Deferring the initial colposcopy until at least 6 weeks postpartum is acceptable. (BIII) In pregnant women who have no cytologic, histologic, or colposcopically suspected CIN 2,3 or cancer at the initial colposcopy, postpartum follow-up is recommended. (BIII) Additional colposcopic and cytologic examinations during pregnancy are unacceptable for these women. (DIII)
Recommended Management of Women with High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (HSIL)
An immediate loop electrosurgical excision or colposcopy with endocervical assessment is an acceptable method for managing women with HSIL, except in special populations (see following text). (BII) When CIN 2,3 is not identified histologically, either a diagnostic excisional procedure or observation with colposcopy and cytology at 6 month intervals for 1 year is acceptable, provided in the latter case that the colposcopic examination is satisfactory and endocervical sampling is negative. (BIII) In this circumstance it is also acceptable to review the cytological, histological, and colposcopic findings; if the review yields a revised interpretation, management should follow guidelines for the revised interpretation. (BII) If observation with cytology and colposcopy is elected, a diagnostic excisional procedure is recommended for women with repeat HSIL cytological results at either the 6 or 12 month visit. (CIII) After 1 year of observation, women with 2 consecutive "negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy" results can return to routine cytological screening.
A diagnostic excisional procedure is recommended for women with HSIL in whom the colposcopic examination is unsatisfactory, except in special populations (e.g., pregnant women). (BII) Women with CIN 2,3 should be managed according to the appropriate 2006 Consensus Guideline for the Management of Women with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia. Ablation is unacceptable in the following circumstances: when colposcopy has not been performed, CIN 2,3 is not identified histologically, or the endocervical assessment identifies CIN of any grade. (EII) Triage utilizing either a program of only repeat cytology or HPV DNA testing is unacceptable. (EII)
HSIL in Special Populations
Adolescent Women
In adolescents with HSIL, colposcopy is recommended. Immediate loop electrosurgical excision (i.e., "see-and-treat") is unacceptable in adolescent women. (AII) When CIN 2,3 is not identified histologically, observation for up to 24 months using both colposcopy and cytology at 6-month intervals is preferred, provided the colposcopic examination is satisfactory and endocervical sampling is negative. (BIII) In exceptional circumstances, a diagnostic excisional procedure is acceptable. (BIII) If during follow-up a high-grade colposcopic lesion is identified or HSIL cytology persists for 1 year, biopsy is recommended. (BIII) If CIN 2,3 is identified histologically, management should follow the 2006 Consensus Guideline for the Management of Women with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia. (BIII) If HSIL persists for 24 months without identification of CIN 2,3, a diagnostic excisional procedure is recommended. (BIII) After 2 consecutive "negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy" results, adolescents and young women without a high-grade colposcopic abnormality can return to routine cytological screening. (BIII) A diagnostic excisional procedure is recommended for adolescents and young women with HSIL when colposcopy is unsatisfactory or CIN of any grade is identified on endocervical assessment (BII).
Pregnant Women
Colposcopy is recommended for pregnant women with HSIL. (AII) It is preferred that the colposcopic evaluation of pregnant women with HSIL be conducted by clinicians who are experienced in the evaluation of colposcopic changes induced by pregnancy. (BIII) Biopsy of lesions suspicious for CIN 2,3 or cancer is preferred; biopsy of other lesions is acceptable (BIII). Endocervical curettage is unacceptable in pregnant women. (EIII) Diagnostic excision is unacceptable unless invasive cancer is suspected based on the referral cytology, colposcopic appearance, or cervical biopsy. (EII) Reevaluation with cytology and colposcopy is recommended no sooner than 6 weeks postpartum for pregnant women with HSIL in whom CIN 2,3 is not diagnosed. (CIII)
Recommended Management of Women with Atypical Glandular Cells (AGC)
Initial Workup
Colposcopy with endocervical sampling is recommended for women with all subcategories of AGC and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). (AII) Endometrial sampling is recommended in conjunction with colposcopy and endocervical sampling in women 35 years and older with all subcategories of AGCs and AIS. (BII) Endometrial sampling is also recommended for women under the age of 35 years with clinical indications suggesting they may be at risk for neoplastic endometrial lesions. These include unexplained vaginal bleeding or conditions suggesting chronic anovulation. It is recommended that women with atypical endometrial cells be initially evaluated with endometrial and endocervical sampling. Colposcopy can be either performed at the initial evaluation or deferred until the results are known. If no endometrial pathology is identified, colposcopy is recommended. (AII) If not already obtained, HPV DNA testing at the time of colposcopy is preferred in women with atypical endocervical, endometrial, or glandular cells not otherwise specified (NOS). (CIII) The use of HPV DNA testing alone or a program of repeat cervical cytology is unacceptable for the initial triage of all subcategories of AGC and AIS. (EII)
Subsequent Evaluation or Follow-up
The recommended postcolposcopy management of women of known HPV status with atypical endocervical, endometrial, or glandular cells NOS who do not have CIN or glandular neoplasia identified histologically is to repeat cytologic testing combined with HPV DNA testing at 6 months if they are HPV DNA positive and at 12 months if they are HPV DNA negative. (CII) Referral to colposcopy is recommended for women who subsequently test positive for high risk (oncogenic) HPV DNA or who are found to have ASC-US or greater on their repeat cytologic tests. If both tests are negative, women can return to routine cytologic testing. (BII) The recommended postcolposcopy management of women of unknown HPV status with atypical endocervical, endometrial, or glandular cells NOS who do not have CIN or glandular neoplasia identified histologically is to repeat cytologic testing at 6-month intervals. After 4 consecutive "negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy" results are obtained, women can return to routine cytologic testing. (CIII)
If CIN, but no glandular neoplasia, is identified histologically during the initial workup of a woman with atypical endocervical, endometrial, or glandular cells NOS, management should be according to the 2006 Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Women with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia. If invasive disease is not identified during the initial colposcopic workup, it is recommended that women with atypical endocervical or glandular cells "favor neoplasia" or endocervical AIS undergo a diagnostic excisional procedure. (AII) It is recommended that the type of diagnostic excisional procedure used in this setting provide an intact specimen with interpretable margins. (BII) Concomitant endocervical sampling is preferred. (BII)
AGC in Special Populations
Pregnant Women
In pregnant women, the initial evaluation of AGC should be identical to that of nonpregnant women, except that endocervical curettage and endometrial biopsy are unacceptable. (BII)
Other Forms of Glandular Abnormalities
Benign-Appearing Endometrial Cells
For asymptomatic premenopausal women with benign endometrial cells, endometrial stromal cells, or histiocytes, no further evaluation is recommended. (BII) For postmenopausal women with benign endometrial cells, endometrial assessment is recommended regardless of symptoms. (BII)
Benign-Appearing Glandular Cells after Hysterectomy
For posthysterectomy patients with a cytologic report of benign glandular cells, no further evaluation is recommended. (BII)
Recommended Management of Different Combinations of Results when HPV DNA Testing Is Used as an Adjunct to Cytology in Women 30 Years and Older
General Recommendations
It is recommended that HPV DNA testing target only high-risk (oncogenic) HPV types. There is no clinical utility in testing for other (nononcogenic) types. (AI) Testing for other (nononcogenic) HPV types when screening for cervical neoplasia, or during the management and follow-up of women with abnormal cervical cytology or cervical neoplasia, is unacceptable. (EI)
Recommendations for Women with Different Combinations of Results
For women 30 years of age and older who have a cytology result of "negative for an intraepithelial lesion or malignancy" but test positive for HPV, repeat cytology and HPV testing at 12 months is preferred. (BII) If on repeat testing HPV is detected, colposcopy is recommended. (AII) Women found to have an abnormal result on repeat cytology should be managed according to the appropriate 2006 Consensus Guidelines outlined earlier.
Recommendations for HPV Genotyping*
Until a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved assay becomes available, a recommendation for use of type-specific HPV genotyping cannot be made. Once such assays are FDA approved, emerging data support the triage of women 30 years of age and older with a cytology result of "negative for an intraepithelial lesion or malignancy" but who are HPV positive with HPV genotyping assays to identify those with HPV 16 and 18. (AII)
*2009 Addendum
Descriptions of New FDA-approved HPV DNA Tests
In March 2009 the FDA announced approval for clinical use in the U.S. of two new HPV DNA diagnostic tests. One of these tests is designed to identify 14 high risk types of HPV. These include the 13 types detected by the Hybrid Capture® 2 HPV DNA Assay (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68) as well as HPV 66. This test will be marketed under the name Cervista™ HPV HR. The other test is designed to specifically detect HPV 16 and HPV 18 and will be marketed under the name Cervista™ HPV 16/18. Both tests utilize an isothermal enzymatic DNA amplification process with a fluorescent read out and both are approved for use with ThinPrep® samples. They were developed by Third Wave Technologies which was acquired in 2008 by Hologic Inc., the manufacturer of the ThinPrep® Pap test.
FDA Approved Indications
The FDA-approved clinical indications for Cervista™ HPV HR are similar to those of the Hybrid Capture® 2 HPV DNA Assay. These are:
- To screen patients with ASC-US cervical cytology results to determine the need for referral to colposcopy
- Used adjunctively with cervical cytology to screen women 30 years and older to assess the presence or absence of high-risk HPV types
- In women 30 years and older the test may be used adjunctively with the Cervista™ HPV HR test in combination with cervical cytology to assess the presence or absence of specific high-risk HPV types.
- Used adjunctively with the Cervista™ HPV HR test in patients with ASC-US cervical cytology results, to assess the presence or absence of specific high-risk HPV types. The results of this test are not intended to prevent women from proceeding to colposcopy.
The clinical utility of HPV genotyping assays was discussed at the 2006 ASCCP Consensus Conference. At the time of the conference it was recognized that molecular genotyping tests would become commercially available for routine clinical use in the near future. Therefore the data available at that time was evaluated and recommendations made that were contingent on a FDA-approved genotyping assay becoming available.
Use When Screening Women 30 Years and Older
Based on the data available in 2006, it was determined that in cytology negative women 30 years and older who are HPV DNA positive (for any of the 13 or 14 high-risk types of HPV detected by the high-risk HPV assays) molecular genotyping assays that detect HPV 16 and 18 would be clinically useful for determining which women should be referred for immediate colposcopy, and which could be followed-up with repeat cytology and high-risk HPV testing in 12 months. See Figure 1 in the 2009 Addendum.
Use for Women with ASC-US
Based on the data available as of September 2006, both the committee that reviewed atypical squamous cells and the committee that reviewed HPV DNA testing decided that HPV genotyping does not add clinical benefit to the management of women with ASC-US. This was based on the fact that only approximately 50% of CIN 2+ lesions are associated with infection with HPV 16 or 18. The other 50% are not. In ALTS, for women 21 years of age and older with oncogenic HPV-positive ASCUS, the overall two-year cumulative risk of CIN 2+ was 25%. Stratifying by HPV genotype categories, the cumulative risk of CIN 2+ for women with HPV 16/18-positive ASCUS was approximately 40%, while the risk for women with other oncogenic (non 16/18) HPV-positive ASCUS was approximately 20%. Similar patterns were observed in women aged 21-29 and women aged 30 and older. While HPV genotyping did stratify risk to an extent, the risk of CIN 2+ among women with non 16/18 oncogenic HPV-positive ASCUS remained high enough to warrant colposcopy. Therefore the 2006 ASCCP guidelines do NOT recommend the use of HPV genotyping in women with oncogenic HPV-positive ASC-US. Management of women in the general population with ASC-US, who are screened using liquid-based cytology should be to perform a "reflex" test using a validated assay that detects either 13 or 14 high-risk HPV types. If the woman is high-risk HPV DNA positive, she should be referred to colposcopy, even if she tests negative for HPV 16 and HPV 18.
Data from the pivotal trial of the new HPV genotyping assay for HPV 16/18 that led to the FDA-approved indication of using 16/18 genotyping in women with ASCUS has not yet been published. Once available, this data, as well as data from the ongoing clinical trials of genotyping tests being developed by other companies, may necessitate changes in the management guidelines.
Situations Where HPV DNA Testing and Genotyping Are Not Recommended
As HPV DNA testing becomes more widespread we need to remember that there are situations where high-risk HPV DNA testing and genotyping are NOT recommended. These include:
- Adolescents, defined as women 20 years and younger (regardless of their cytology results)
- Women 21 years and older with ASC-H, LSIL, or HSIL cytology (note: "reflex" HPV testing is acceptable in postmenopausal women with LSIL)
- Routine screening in women before the age of 30 years
- In women considering vaccination against HPV
- For routine STD screening
- As part of a sexual assault workup
- HPV genotyping is not recommended for women with ASC-US
- HPV genotyping is not recommended as the initial screening test for women 30 years and older
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