The Efficacy of Oral Etoricoxib in Pain Control During Colposcopy-Directed Cervical Biopsy: A Randomized Control Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of oral etoricoxib administration before colposcopic procedure for pain relief during and after colposcopy. METHODS: A prospective double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the colposcopy unit of Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand from August 2022 to January 2023. The participants were women undergoing colposcopy. They were allocated into two groups: etoricoxib group and control group. Thirty minutes prior to colposcopy, the participants received etoricoxib or placebo tablet. A numerical rating scale was used to evaluate pain upon speculum insertion, 3% acetic acid application, directed cervical biopsy (CDB), endocervical curettage (ECC), and 10 minutes and 24 hours after colposcopy. RESULT: One hundred and ten women were recruited and were divided equally into study and control groups. The mean age of participants was 42.6 years old. One-fourth of cases (29/110) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more histology. Subjects in etoricoxib group had less median pain scores during CDB, ECC, and 10-minute and 24-hour post procedure than the control group with statistical significance. Both groups had comparable side effects. CONCLUSION: Administration of oral etoricoxib 30 minutes before colposcopy could reduce pain during and up to 24-hour post colposcopy with minimal side effects.

Study on Preoperative Neutrophil/Lymphocyte (NLR) and Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) as a Predictive Factor in Endometrial Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate predictive factors between serum inflammatory markers and malignancy potential of endometrium. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the gynecological oncology unit, department of obstetrics and gynecology, at the faculty of medicine of Thammasat University. The study period was from 2017 to 2020. Endometrial cancer and benign gynecologic disease cases who underwent hysterectomy (with or without adnexectomy) during the study period were recruited. Demographic characteristics, histopathology reports and serum markers were also collected. RESULTS: The study included a study group of 49 participants with endometrial cancer and a control group consisting of 119 cases of benign uterine disease. The study group had statistically significantly higher mean ages, proportional menopausal status and instances of underlying diseases when compared with the control group. Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratios (NLR) and Platelet/Lymphocyte ratios (PLR) could not meaningfully predict the malignant potential of endometrium in hysterectomy specimens. NLR and PLR were statistically associated with depth of myometrial invasion (MI) in endometrial cancer cases. NLR equal to or greater than 1.93 predicted MI more than half thickness with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) at a percentage of 83.3, 52.8, 37.0, 90.5 and 60.4, respectively. PLR equal to or greater than 134.95 predicted MI of greater than fifty percent thickness with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV at 75.0, 55.6, 36.0, 87.0 and 60.4 percent, respectively. CONCLUSION: NLR and PLR have positive associations with myometrial invasion of endometrial cancer.

Predicting Factors for Pelvic Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Apparently Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Performing lymphadenectomy in all patients with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) is debatable because the procedure may expose patients to unnecessary risks of postoperative complications. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of pelvic lymph node metastasis (PLNM) in patients with apparently early-stage EC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and two patients with apparently early-stage EC who underwent surgical staging at Thammasat University Hospital between the years 2013 and 2020 were included in this retrospective study. Clinicopathological data and preoperative laboratory results were obtained from computer-based medical records. All data were statistically analyzed to determine the prevalence of PLNM and risk factors for developing PLNM. RESULTS: PLNM was detected in 22 (10.9%) patients. Univariate analysis demonstrated that having grade 3 tumor, myometrial invasion of 50% or greater, vaginal involvement, cervical involvement, adnexal involvement, lower uterine segment involvement, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and positive peritoneal cytology were associated with higher risk for developing PLNM. In addition, lower preoperative hemoglobin level and higher preoperative white blood cell count were significantly associated with PLNM. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that myometrial invasion of 50% or greater and LVSI were independent risk factors for developing PLNM (odds ratio (OR) 9.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.58-33.55, p = 0.001, and OR 3.73, 95%CI 1.39-10.02, p = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Myometrial invasion of 50% or greater and LVSI were independent risk factors for developing PLNM in patients with apparently early-stage EC and thus lymphadenectomy in these patients should be provided.

Predictors of Absent High-grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) in Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure Specimens of Patients with Colposcopic Directed Biopsy-Confirmed High-Grade CIN

Objective: To determine predictors of having cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 or less in loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) specimens of patients with colposcopic directed biopsy-confirmed CIN 2-3. Methods: Two hundred and eighty patients with colposcopic directed biopsy-confirmed CIN 2-3 who subsequently underwent LEEP were enrolled in the retrospective study. Related clinical data were collected to determine the predictors of CIN 1 or less in LEEP specimens. Results: CIN 1 or less in LEEP specimens was found in 71 (25.4%) of 280 patients. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that nulliparity [OR (95% CI) = 3.375 (1.245-9.150)], low grade Papanicolaou (Pap) results [OR (95% CI) = 6.410 (2.877-14.280)] and low grade colposcopic impression [OR (95% CI) = 16.506 (5.844-46.632)] were significant risk factors of having CIN 1 or less in LEEP specimens. Neither persistent nor recurrent CIN 2-3 was detected in 71 patients who had CIN 1 or less in LEEP specimens. However, persistent or recurrent CIN 2-3 developed in 3 out of 209 (1.4%) patients with CIN 2-3 found in LEEP specimens. Conclusion: Approximately 25% of patients with CIN 2-3 in colposcopic directed biopsy specimens had CIN 1 or less found in LEEP specimens. Predicting factors of having CIN 1 or less in LEEP specimens were nulliparity, low grade Pap results and low grade colposcopic impression.

Co-Existing Ovarian Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma with Mature Cystic Teratoma: A Rare Case Report.

Background: Mature cystic teratoma is the most common benign germ cell ovarian tumor. Malignant transformation is uncommon. The pathology is mostly composed of squamous cell carcinoma. Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma should be differentiated between malignant transformation and the coincidental occurrence. Case Report: A case of an early stage mucinous ovarian cancer co-existing with mature cystic teratoma at the same ovarian side was reported. A 57-year-old woman presented with incidental palpable pelvic mass for two weeks. Right ovary consisted of multiloculated cyst and mature cystic teratoma. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy for a large ovarian cyst evaluation. Mucinous ovarian cancer was diagnosed as FIGO stage IC3 after operation. Histopathology report showed mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and mature cystic teratoma of the right ovary. There was no additional abdominal abnormality. Immunohistochemistry staining supported the diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma of colon or intestinal type of mucinous ovarian cancer. Further investigation for locating other primary cancer site was then performed. The result was negative. The intestinal-type mucinous ovarian cancer co-existing with mature cystic teratoma of the right ovary was the final histopathological reading. The patient was then started on carboplatin/paclitaxel combination chemotherapy for 6 cycles after surgery. The patient showed complete remission at the end of the chemotherapy treatment. Conclusion: This was a rare case of mucinous ovarian cancer co-existing with mature cystic teratoma. Clinical acumen, immunochemistry staining and metastatic survey investigation played important roles for the final diagnosis.

Bevacizumab, Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Combination Treatment in Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer: The First Experience in Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growthfactor (VEGF), has been approvedfor concurrent treatment with first line chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. CASE REPORT: A case of an advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) receiving a combination of bevacizumab, carboplatin andpaclitaxel chemotherapy was reported. A 44-year-old woman was presented with abdominal discomfort and distention for 4 months. Bilateral 12 cm diameter ovarian tumors were diagnosed as FIGO stage IIIc after surgical staging operation. Histopathology report showed the mixed type of serous and endometriod adenocarcinoma. The patient was then started on carboplatin/paclitaxel combination chemotherapy for 6 cycles after surgery every 3 weeks. Bevacizumab (7.5 mg/ m2) was concurrently administered with chemotherapy every 3 weeks startingfrom the 2nd cycle. A complete remission was achieved after the end of the chemotherapy treatment. Bevacizumab was continued for one year after the completion of the standard chemotherapy. Bone marrow suppression, hypertension and proteinuria were not found during Bevacizumab treatment. At bevacizumab treatment completion, a platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer was diagnosed at the two weeks postprogram routine check-up. The patient was counseled to start second line chemotherapy treatment and has yet to come back with her decision. CONCLUSION: Combination of bevacizumab, carboplatin and paclitaxelfor first line chemotherapy in advanced EOC in this case had no serious side effects and need further study.

Accuracy of visual inspection with acetic acid in detecting high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in pre- and post-menopausal Thai women with minor cervical cytological abnormalities.

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) in detecting high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in pre- and post-menopausal women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred women (150 pre-menopausal and 50 post-menopausal) with ASC- US and LSIL cytology who attended the colposcopy clinic, Thammasat University Hospital, between March 2013 and August 2014 were included. All women underwent VIA testing and colposcopy by gynecologic oncologists. Diagnostic values of VIA testing including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for detecting high-grade CIN were determined using the histopathology obtained from colposcopic-directed biopsy as a gold standard. RESULTS: VIA testing was positive in 54/150 (36%) pre-menopausal women and 5/50 (10%) post-menopausal women. Out of 54 pre-menopausal women with positive VIA testing, 15 (27.8%) had high-grade CIN and 39 (72.2%) had either CIN 1 or insignificant pathology. Ten (10.4%), 43 (44.8%) and 43 (44.8%) out of the remaining 96 pre-menopausal women with negative VIA testing had high- grade CIN, CIN 1 and insignificant pathology, respectively. Out of 5 post-menopausal women with positive VIA testing, there were 4 (80%) women with high-grade CIN, and 1 (20%) women with insignificant pathology. Out of 45 VIA-negative post-menopausal women, 42 (93.3%) women had CIN 1 and insignificant pathology, and 3 (6.7%) had high-grade CIN. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the VIA testing were 59.4%, 76.2%, 32.2% and 90.8%, respectively (60%, 68.8%, 27.8% and 89.6% in pre-menopausal women and 57.1%, 97.7%, 80% and 93.3% in post-menopausal women). CONCLUSIONS: VIA testing may be used as a screening tool for detecting high-grade CIN in women with minor cervical cytological abnormalities in a low-resource setting in order to lower the rate of colposcopy referral.

Incidental finding of abnormal cervical pathology in hysterectomy specimens after normal preoperative Papanicolaou smears in Thammasat University Hospital.

BACKGROUND: To investigate abnormal cervical histopathology (ACH) from hysterectomy specimens with normal preoperative Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records from May 2009 to April 2012 were retrospectively reviewed of subjects from whom hysterectomy specimens were taken in Thammasat University Hospital. All had normal preoperative Pap smears. ACH was the primary outcome. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 483 subjects with an average age of 50.5 years were recruited. Benign cases of enlarged uterus and pelvic mass were present in 94% (430/483). Endometrial and ovarian cancer were found at 6.2 and 4.7%, respectively. In hysterectomy specimens there were 19 (4%) cases of ACH. Silent ACH with benign disease, endometrial and ovarian cancers were 1.2% (5/430), 33.3% (10/30) and 17.4% (4/23), respectively. The negative predictive value (NPV) and false negative rate of Pap smears were 96 and 4%, respectively. ACH in malignant cases were 27.9% (12/43) and 20% (2/10) in adequate (APS) and inadequate (IPS) Pap collection groups, respectively. ACH in benign condition were 0.68% (2/292) and 2.2% (3/138) in APS and IPS, respectively. ACH was more often found in hysterectomy specimens with indication of malignancy than benign conditions with statistical significance. One third of preoperative stage I endometrial cancer cases had cervical involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Silent ACH in normal preoperative Pap smear was 4 %. Inadequate Pap smear collection is still the major problem in this study. Reducing inadequate Pap smear collection could reduce the false negative rate.

Silent abnormal placentation linkage to peripartum hysterectomy: Thammasat University Hospital 6-year study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, indications, types and complications of peripartum hysterectomy at Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective peripartum hysterectomy (PH) study. Data came from parturient who delivered at Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand between January 2007 and December 2012. RESULTS: In the period of 6 years, there were 37 cases of PH among 28,023 parturient. The overall prevalence of PH was 1.32 per 1,000 deliveries with average parturientage of 30. Nineteen hysterectomies were performed after vaginal delivery (1.1/1,000) and the remaining 18 hysterectomies were performed after cesarean section (1.67/1,000). Seven cases (18.9%) were performed as subtotal and the remaining 30 cases (81.1%) as total hysterectomy Major indication of PH was uterine atony (75.7%, 28/37) followed by abnormal placentation (10.8%, 4/37) and uterine rupture (5.4%, 2/37). From hysterectomy specimens, placenta accreta, placenta increta and placenta percreta were found in 5, 3, and 3 cases, respectively. Two cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were later discovered from hysterectomy specimens. Three cases of placentapercreta were associated with pre-operative diagnosis of placenta adherent, uterine rupture and placenta previa. The average estimated blood loss was 2,416 ml. The overall surgical complication rate was 35.1% (13/37). The rate of reoperation, maternal death, wound infection, gut obstruction and lung complications were 16.2, 8.1, 2.7, 2.7 and 2.7 percent, respectively. CONCLUSION: Peripartum hysterectomy is a major hazardous procedure carrying a high mortality and morbidity rate. In this study, maternal mortality was 8.1%. Silent abnormal placentation was found in 21.2 percent (7/33) of hysterectomy specimen.

Diagnostic value of endocervical curettage for detecting dysplastic lesions in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) Papanicolaou smears.

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency of dysplastic lesions in the endocervical curettage (ECC) specimens of women with ASC-US and LSIL Pap and to evaluate the possible factors associated with high grade dysplasia in those ECC specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and sixty patients with ASC-US and LSIL cytologic smears who underwent an ECC at the time of colposcopic examination during January 2010 and December 2012 were reviewed. Demographic and clinicopathologic data were collected. Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was used to identify factors that might be associated with high grade endocervical dysplasia. RESULTS: The frequency of endocervical dysplasia was 7.7% (20 out of 260 patients). Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 and CIN 2-3 lesions in the endocervical canal were observed in 12 and 8 patients, respectively. No microinvasive or invasive cervical cancers were identified. There was no difference in the frequency of high grade endocervical dysplasia between the patients with satisfactory and unsatisfactory colposcopic examinations (1.4% vs 5.1%, respectively, p=0.087). A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between high grade CIN on ectocervical biopsy as well as LSIL cytologic smears and high grade dysplasia in endocervical canal (OR=0.046, 95%CI=0.007-0.288; p=0.001 and OR=0.154, 95%CI=0.025-0.942; p=0.043, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of high grade endocervical dysplasia in women with ASC-US and LSIL cytologic smears was low. Therefore, routine performance of ECC in those women is debatable. High grade ectocervical dysplasia and LSIL cytologic smears may be used as predictors for high grade dysplasia in endocervical canal and ECC in these patients is reasonable.

Cytohistologic discrepancy of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in Papanicolaou smears.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequency of cytohistologic discrepancy of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) in Pap smears and associated factors. METHODS: Medical records of 223 women with HSIL Pap smears who were treated at Thammasat University Hospital were reviewed. Data on age, parity, menopausal status, contraceptive use and colposcopic directed biopsy and loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) pathology results were recorded. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age of patients was 38.0 (9.4) years. The majority were premenopausal (86.5%) and multiparous (83.9%). Cytohistologic discrepancy between the Pap test and colposcopic-directed biopsy histology was 45.7% and that between the Pap test and LEEP histology was 29.5%. Fifty-four (24.2%) women had no high-grade CIN on both colposcopic directed biopsy and LEEP. Nulliparity, postmenopausal status and having no oral contraceptive pills use were factors associated with cytohistologic discrepancy. CONCLUSION: The exact cytohistologic discrepancy rate was relatively high (24.2%). Factors associated with cytohistologic discrepancy were nulliparity and postmenopausal status and having no oral contraceptive pill use.

Prevalence of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in the patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) pap smears: hospital based, dynamic population area.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2-3 (high-grade CIN) among women with Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US) Pap smear. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective medical record review of220 women with ASC-US cervical Pap smear, including age, menstruation status, parity, placed of residence, occupation, main complaint, and definite histopathological result between July 2007 and January 2010 was done. RESULTS: The prevalence of high-grade CIN2 and CIN 3 in Thammasat University Hospital were 8.6% and 3.2% respectively No cancer was found in the present study. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of high-grade CIN between the patients who were 50 years old or more and those who were younger. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of high-grade CIN in women with ASC-US was 11.8%. Immediate colposcopy is recommended in women with ASC-US

Risk factors for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) Papanicolaou smears.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2-3) among women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. METHODS: Two-hundred and sixty-six women with ASC-US Pap tests who underwent a colposcopy with histologic study were enrolled between August 2008 and June 2010. Patient data including age, education, income, parity, current pills used, number of vaginal deliveries, number of sexual partners, age at first sexual intercourse, history of sexually transmitted diseases, history of pelvic inflammatory disease and smoking habits were obtained. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with CIN 2-3. RESULTS: CIN was diagnosed in 134 of 266 women (50.4%). Ninty-seven of these (72.4%) had CIN 1 and 37 (27.6%) had CIN 2-3. Frequency of the latter was lower in women who had at least bachelor's degree graduation as compared to those having less than primary school graduation (odds ratio (OR) 0.085, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.013-0.557). In addition, those with a higher income (5,000-20,000 baht per month) had less frequent CIN 2-3 (OR 0.378, 95% CI 0.147-0.970), whereas women who had 3 or more sexual partners were more likely to develop CIN 2-3 (OR 3.181, 95% CI 1.316-7.687). CONCLUSIONS: Women with ASC-US Pap smears who had 3 or more sexual partners, low education and low income were at an increased risk of CIN 2-3. Therefore, this group of patients deserve a high priority for immediate colposcopy in order for early detection of high-grade CIN.

A 1-year experience with liquid-based and conventional papanicolaou smear in Thammasat University Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal Pap smears as detected by liquid-based (LBP) and conventional (CPP) techniques in women who were patients in the gynecologic clinic, Thammasat University Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective analysis of cervical cancer screening, histopathological findings and operative procedures was done between January 2009 and December 2009. Of the 6,332 participants who underwent gynecological examination and cervical screening and had a Pap smear result as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or worse would be performed a further colposcopic examination. RESULTS: A total of 6,332 women were screened for cervical cancer in the one year period. A total of 169 abnormal Pap smears were found. Of 497 (8%) and 5,835 (92%) women were screened by LBP and CPP, respectively. The mean age of patients was 39.45 years old (14-90) and 1,550 (24.5%) women were post menopausal. The Prevalence of abnormal Pap smears was 4.0 and 2.6% in the LBP and CPP groups, respectively. Among LBP group, patients with atypical smear and LSIL (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) were 11 (2.29%) and 9 (1.8%), respectively. While CPP group, patient with atypical smear, LSIL, HSIL (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) and cancer were 73 (1.25%), 49 (0.84%), 25 (0.43%) and 2 (0.03%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of abnormal Pap smear in women who attended gynecologic clinic of Thammasat University Hospital was 4.0% and 2.6 % per LBP and CPP group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the incidence of atypical smear and false positive result between LBP and CPP.

Effect of intramuscular diclofenac after explore laparotomy for gynecologic surgery: a randomized double-blinded placebo controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Several adjuvant analgesic agents proposed to treat the postoperative pain while reducing the doses of opioid and its derivatives. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in several operative procedures. The present study aimed to demonstrate the morphine-sparing effects of single-dose intramuscular diclofenac sodium in explore laparotomy gynecologic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive 75-mg of diclofenac sodium or normal saline with intramuscular morphine during immediate postoperative period. Additional morphine for pain control was given by patient-controlled analgesia. 24-hour morphine consumption, pain score, adverse effects and satisfaction of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: Median morphine consumption among groups was significant difference between placebo and diclofenac group (32 and 19 mg) (p = 0.041). Greater difference was shown in patients who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy (p = 0.009). Catagorical pain score at 6-hour postoperatively was significant lower in diclofenac group (p = 0.006). No significant difference was found between groups in visual analogue pain score, patients' satisfaction, presence of bleeding or nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that single dose of diclofenac sodium has morphine-sparing effects and can be safely used in explore laparotomy gynecologic surgery without significant adverse effects.

Failed conservative treatment of synchronous primary cancer of endometrium and ovary in a young Thai woman: a case report.

A case of well differentiated endometriod adenocarcinoma of the endometrium with a synchronous endometriod and clear cell adenocarcinoma of both ovaries was reported. Recently, a 28-year-old woman presented with vaginal bleeding was diagnosed to have only FIGO stage IaG1 (FIGO 2000) cancer of the endometrium. After 3 months of high dose progestin treatment, 15 cm bilateral ovarian tumors later diagnosed as FIGO stage IIIa ovarian cancer (mixed endometriod and clear cell adenocarcinoma) were detected, and later surgically removed. The patient then was started on Placitaxel/Carboplatin combination chemotherapy for 6 cycles after surgery. The synchronous cancers of endometrium and ovary are usually presented in woman with median age of 50 with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. These low grade tumors and better prognosis are the norm in contrast to the authors' case with clear cell component and higher stage of ovarian cancer in young lean Thai woman.

Do health care providers have a lower prevalence of abnormal pap smears than the general public?

BACKGROUND: Most Thai people believe that health care providers have a lower risk of any disease than their patients. This belief may lull Thai health care providers into accepting the false belief that they are at a lower risk of having the precancerous conditions that lead to cervical cancer. OBJECTIVE: This study compares the prevalence of abnormal Pap smears from health care providers (HC) and non health care providers (NHC) by using the standard liquid-based Pap smear processing at Thammasat University Hospital's pathology department, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Both health care providers (HC) and non health care providers (NHC) were patients at the outpatient clinic, Thammasat University Hospital. They were screened for cervical cancer by using liquid-based Pap smear (LBP). Cytological diagnoses and specimen adequacy were classified using the Bethesda system 2001. All subjects who had abnormal cytology more than atypical squamous cells or atypical glandular cells were counseled to have performed a colposcopic directed biopsy for confirmation of pathology. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 250 liquid-base Pap smears were processed and evaluated at the Gynecology clinic, Thammasat University Hospital from April 2008 to May 2008. RESULTS: The groups of HC and NHC consisted of 122 and 128 women, respectively. In general, both the HC and NHC groups were similar in their age, religion, income and education level distributions. The range of ages was between 16 and 75 years, with the mean age equal to 40.2 +/- 10.5 years. Prevalence of abnormal Pap smears was 9.8% in HC and 9.4% in NHC (p-value = 0.90). HC showed atypical change (ASC, AGC), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) at 0.8%, 1.6% and 7.4%, respectively. NHC had an incidence of atypical change, LSIL and HSIL at 0.8%, 0.8% and 7.8%. HC had an equal incidence of abnormal Pap smears prevalence to NHC. Further, the percentage of HC and NHC groups with histological confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 were not significantly different (4.92% vs. 6.25%, p-value = 0.70), likewise CIN 2/3 (1.64% vs. 1.56%, p-value = 1.00). According to our study the rate of abnormal Pap smears observed in both health care providers and clients was essentially the same. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of abnormal Pap smears in health care providers was statistically equivalent to that in their clients.

Can self vaginal douching for high risk HPV screening replace or assist efficacy of cervical cancer screening?

OBJECTIVE: To study the accuracy of self vaginal douching and collection for HPV types 16, 18, 31 and 33 in women visiting Thammasat Hospital for the explicit purpose of cervical screening. METHODS: A pelvic examination and Pap smear were performed for all women who came for cervical screening. Specimens were also collected by self vaginal douching before cervical screening and sent to the cell and molecular biology laboratory for analysis of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31 and 33 using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: HPV prevalence was 3.6% overall from 250 women in this study. Twenty-four (9.6%) women had an abnormal cytology screening result. No cancer was found. Four women had a high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and 14 had a low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) from colposcopic biopsy. Self vaginal douching for HPV 16, 18, 31 and 33 was used to predict abnormal Pap smear. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 12.5%, 97.5%, 33.3% and 91.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: From our analysis of self-vaginal douching for HPV detection using cases from Thammasat university hospital, it cannot replace the Pap smear.

Cervical cytologic abnormalities of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 treated with cryotherapy and expectant management during the first year follow-up period.

AIM: To determine the frequency of cervical cytologic abnormalities in patients who were diagnosed as having CIN 1 and had undergone either cryotherapy or expectant management. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 87 patients with colposcopic cervical biopsy-proven CIN 1, was undertaken including age, parity, menstruation status, cervical cytology reports, colposcopic findings, and cervical cytologic follow-up reports. There were 38 patients (43.7%) treated with cryotherapy and the remainder underwent expectant management. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age of patients treated with cryotherapy was less than that of the patients who had expectant management (36.2 (9.4) vs 41.1 (9.4) years, respectively, p= 0.02). There were no differences in the frequencies of cervical cytologic abnormalities between the groups at 6- and 12-month-follow-up visits (cryotherapy group vs expectant group: 18.4% vs 18.4% at 6-months and 19.2% vs 16.1% at 12 months). CONCLUSION: Cryotherapy and expectant management with cytologic surveillance had comparable frequencies of cytologic abnormalities during a 12-month follow-up period. Expectant management requires adherence to follow up and high quality cytology and colposcopy testing. Therefore, it should be reserved for these settings. Cryotherapy may be more reasonable in women who are likely to be lost to follow up and high quality cytology cannot be guaranteed.

The accuracy of cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosis with loop electrosurgical excisional procedure under colposcopic vision.

OBJECTIVE: The colposcopic vision guided loop electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP) was studied for the effective diagnosis of cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). METHODS: A total of 199 patients participated in this study. Individual cases were from gynecologic outpatients at Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand. These had diagnoses for CIN and were selected for treatment with colposcopic guided LEEP. The average age of patients in this study was 45. Menopausal women represented 31%, (61/199) of the patients. The most frequently found Pap smear result among these women (44%, 88/199), was that of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. The next most frequent Pap smear result (32%, 64/199) was low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Patients' medical records and outcomes were evaluated for consistency of pathological examination between colposcopic directed biopsy and LEEP. Discrepancies between initial diagnosis and the final diagnosis were also analyzed. RESULTS: The colposcopic guided LEEP accurately determined 100% of the cervical cancer cases and 84.8 % of the high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cases. Involvement of the ectocervical or endocervical margin regions was found to be 5% and 10% respectively, in this study. Excessive bleeding complication, either during the excision and/or postoperative recovery was found in 3% and 6% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: LEEP under colposcopic vision is a recommended technique for ambulatory management of precancerous lesion and early diagnosis of cervical cancer. This technique significantly reduces rate of positive ectocervical cone margin involvement.