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

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

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Cervical epithelium – Squamocolumnar junction (SCJ)

Click on the pictures to magnify and display the legends

The pink smooth squamous epithelium meets the red granular columnar epithelium at the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ), which is a very important landmark to identify on the cervix.

Naked-eye appearance of the SCJ
The SCJ is usually seen around the external os of the cervix as a sharp line of demarcation between the pink squamous epithelium and the red columnar epithelium.

The distinction between the squamous epithelium and the columnar epithelium becomes even more prominent after application of acetic acid to the cervix, making the SCJ easily visible.

Microscopic features of the SCJ
The SCJ appears as an abrupt junction between the multilayered stratified squamous epithelium of the ectocervix and the single-layered columnar epithelium of the endocervix.

The location of the SCJ in relation to the external os of the cervix varies depending on factors such as age, hormonal status, birth trauma, and certain physiological conditions, such as pregnancy.

Identification of the SCJ is extremely important, because almost all cervical precancers originate from the epithelium close to the SCJ.

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