Introduction Different approaches to screening and treatment of cervical precancer Anatomical considerations

Anatomical considerations Gross anatomy of female genital organs, External genitalia Internal genital organs Gross anatomy of the cervix Cervical epithelium Squamous epithelium Columnar epithelium Squamocolumnar junction (SCJ)

Physiological changes of the cervical epithelium

Ectropion Squamous metaplasia Transformation zone of the cervix Changes induced by pregnancy Atrophic changes Congenital transformation zone (CTZ)

Neoplastic changes of the cervical epithelium

Genesis of cervical cancer – Role of HPV HPV structure and types Genesis of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) Cervical cancers

HPV tests – Variation between tests Instruments, consumables, and setup required

for collection of samples for HPV testing (provider-collected) for self-collection of samples for HPV testing

Procedure to collect samples for HPV testing

Sample collected by a health provider Counselling of a woman undergoing HPV testing History taking Preparation for sample collection for HPV testing Steps for inspection of the external genitalia Steps for insertion of the speculum and exposure of the cervix Steps for collection of cervical samples Steps for self-collection of samples Storage of the samples after collection, and transportation to the laboratory

Interpretation of HPV test results Management of women with a positive HPV test result

Management of women with a positive HPV test result The different strategies Triage with cytology Triage with VIA Triage with colposcopy

Treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia – principles Steps to determine eligibility for ablative treatment

Criteria used to determine eligibility for ablative treatment Steps to determine eligibility for ablative treatment

Role of Lugol’s iodine in identifying the transformation zone for treatment

Role of Lugol’s iodine in identifying the transformation zone for treatment Steps for applying Lugol’s iodine to the cervix Pre-treatment assessment

Treatment by cryotherapy

Principles Cryosurgical unit Ancillary instruments and consumables Steps Side-effects and complications Post-treatment advice and follow-up Video

Treatment by thermal ablation

Principles The benchtop model The battery-operated model Complications Video

Using an HPV test as the test of cure in women treated for cervical abnormalities or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Infection prevention

Standard procedures for protection from infection Essential steps for infection prevention in a cervical cancer screening clinic Preparation of 0.5% chlorine solution

Case studies

VIA triage outcome (applicable in screen-and-treat setting only) – negative cases VIA triage outcome – positive cases VIA triage outcome – suspicious of cancer cases

Foreword Acknowledgement Authors Suggested citation Copyright

Home / Training / Manuals / Using HPV tests for cervical cancer screening and managing HPV-positive women – a practical online guide / Learning

Using HPV tests for cervical cancer screening and managing HPV-positive women – a practical online guide

Filter by language: English / Français / Español

Anatomical considerations

Click on the pictures to magnify and display the legends

A provider who is responsible for screening women with HPV testing or managing HPV-positive women should have a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of the female genital tract. This is essential to perform the test competently and to understand the underlying principles of the procedure. The female genital tract comprises the following:

external genital organs (external genitalia), which are visible from the outside;
internal genital organs (internal genitalia), which lie within the pelvic cavity.

The next section discusses the detailed anatomy of the external female genital organs.

IARC, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon CEDEX 08, France - Tel: +33 (0)4 72 73 84 85 - Fax: +33 (0)4 72 73 85 75
© IARC 2024 - All Rights Reserved.