Cervical glandular neoplasia referrals and the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in situ: Correlating cytology, colposcopy findings, and clinical outcomes

Objectives To determine the clinical outcomes of women with possible glandular neoplasia of endocervical type on cervical cytology, and review all diagnoses of cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) over a 5 year period at our institution. Study design A retrospective case-note review was conducted of all women referred to colposcopy with possible glandular neoplasia of endocervical type on cervical cytology or diagnosed with cervical AIS after biopsy or excision, from January 2014 until December 2018 in a London district hospital. Results Of 55 women referred with possible glandular neoplasia of endocervical type, 47 (85.4%) had a significant pathology on histopathological analysis: AIS (n = 22); invasive cancer (n = 7); high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 18). Women with a history of borderline abnormality on cervical cytology within the last 5 years were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with AIS or invasive cancer (P < .05). For the same period 49 women had histologically proven AIS. Among these 22 (44.8%) were referred as possible cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia. Other reasons for referral were the following indications: borderline dyskaryosis (n = 13); high-grade dyskaryosis (n = 8); low-grade dyskaryosis (n = 4); postcoital bleeding (n = 2). Conclusion Due to the raised risk of significant gynaecological pathology in women with possible glandular neoplasia of endocervical type on cervical cytology, excisional biopsy is essential. Colposcopic impression varies significantly and complete excision of the abnormal lesions should be achieved. AIS is a histological diagnosis and should always be considered during colposcopical and cytopathological assessment.