Microinvasive squamous carcinoma (FIGO stage IA1) of the cervix: are there colposcopic criteria for the diagnosis?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate colposcopic sensitivity in the diagnosis of microinvasive squamous carcinoma of the cervix.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 151 patients from 1991-2008. The colposcopic findings of microinvasion suspicion were described by the International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy in 2003.

RESULTS

There has been colposcopic suspicion of invasion in 35 patients, which represents a sensitivity of 23%. The major colposcopic findings that were observed in the transformation zone included acetowhite epithelium in 21% (32/151 patients), coarse punctuation in 19% (29/151 patients), coarse mosaic in 17% (26/151 patients), and atypical vessels in 3.9% (6/151 patients). Suspicion of microinvasion was found in 14.5% of unsatisfactory colposcopy and in 8.6% of satisfactory colposcopy.

CONCLUSION

The sensitivity of colposcopy in the diagnosis of microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix was low. Colposcopy plays an important role in directing the biopsy to the most suspicious area. The definitive diagnosis of microinvasive squamous carcinoma is established only by histologic study.