Introduction Description: Cervicitis is the inflammation (acute or chronic) of the endocervical glands or the ectocervix. Less commonly it can affect the squamous epithelium of the ectocervix. Prevalence: 10%–40% of women. Predominant Age: Reproductive age; highest rate in adolescents to…
Introduction Description: Cervical stenosis is the narrowing of the cervical canal, either congenital or acquired, which may result in complete or partial obstruction. Stenosis occurs most often in the region of the internal cervical os. Prevalence: Uncommon. Predominant Age: 30–70…
Introduction Description: Cervical polyps are benign fleshy tumors that arise from the cells of the endocervical canal (most common) or the ectocervix. Prevalence: 4% of gynecologic patients, most common benign growth of the cervix. Predominant Age: 40s–50s (multiparous women). Ectocervical…
Introduction Description: Cervical eversion is a turning outward of the endocervical canal so that it is visible and appears as a red, inflamed mass at the cervical opening. Prevalence: Common, especially in adolescents, pregnant patients, and those using combination oral…
Introduction Description: Cervical erosion is the loss of the epithelial surface on the vaginal portion of the cervix, resulting in the exposure of the underlying cervical stroma. Cervical eversion (exposing the dark-red columnar epithelium of the endocervix, ectropion) is often…
Introduction Description: Almost all cancers of the cervix are carcinomas—85%–90% are squamous carcinoma and 10%–15% are adenocarcinoma. Prevalence: 13,800 cases and 4290 deaths annually (2020 data). Lifetime risk: 1 Predominant Age: 40s–60s; median age is 52 years. Genetics: No genetic…
Introduction Description: Carcinoma in situ of the cervix is characterized by morphologic alteration of the cervical epithelium in which the full thickness of the epithelium is replaced with dysplastic cells (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] 3). This change is generally associated…
Introduction Description: Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) encompass changes associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), mild dysplasia, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) include CIN 2 and 3 and carcinoma in situ (CIS). Patients with low-grade…
Introduction Description: One of the most perplexing aspects of management under the Bethesda reporting system is how to interpret smears reported as showing atypical squamous or glandular cells (ASCUS, ASCH, or AGC). The atypical squamous cell (ASC) diagnosis has been…
Introduction Description: Trichomonas vaginitis is a vaginal infection caused by an anaerobic flagellate protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis. Prevalence: Approximately 3.7 million cases per year in the United States (2.1% of women); accounts for 25% of “vaginal infections.” The most common nonviral…