The exfoliating cervical epithelial surface in dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and invasive squamous carcinoma. I. Scanning electron microscopic study.

The exfoliating epithelial surface in cone specimens of the human cervix with histologically normal epithelium, squamous metaplasia, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and in cervical biopsies with invasive squamous carcinoma was studied by scanning electron-microscopy (SEM). A cobblestone-like surface with anisovillosis seems to herald the appearance of malignant cells on the exfoliating epithelial surface. Post-scanning histologic examination served as a diagnostic reference for the SEM findings.