Outcome of expectant management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 in women followed for 12 months.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of CIN 2 diagnosed by colposcopy-directed biopsy in women followed without treatment for 12 months and to verify whether the regression and progression of this lesion are associated with the woman's age at diagnosis and age at first sexual intercourse.

STUDY DESIGN

Women diagnosed with CIN 2 by biopsy and with previous cervical smear showing LSIL were included in this cohort study and followed up for one year with cervical smear and colposcopy every three months. The rates of progression, persistence and regression of the CIN 2 were evaluated. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the woman's age at diagnosis, age at first sexual intercourse and interval since the first sexual intercourse according to the CIN 2 outcome, assuming a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS

At the end of 12 months of follow-up the CIN 2 regression rate was 74% (31/42), progression rate to CIN 3 was 24% (10/42) and in one case CIN 2 persisted (2%). Among women who had regression, this event was detected in the first six months of follow-up in 26 of the 31 cases. There was no statistically significant association between the evolution of CIN 2 and the woman's age at diagnosis, age at first sexual intercourse and interval since first sexual intercourse. Women whose lesions were restricted to one quadrant were more likely to have CIN 2 regression at three-month follow-up compared with women with a lesion extending to one or more quadrants (OR: 6.50; 95% CI: 1.20-35.23).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that the majority of CIN 2 diagnosed by biopsy in women with previous Pap smear showing LSIL will regress in 12 months and therefore an expectant approach could be considered in these cases, not only for young women. Nevertheless these findings are not conclusive, and larger studies are required in order to certify when it is safe to adopt expectant management for CIN 2.