Abstract
New Cervicography and HPV-DNA test, a adjunctive Pap Smear test, are an innovative cervical cancer surveillance system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of HPV-DNA test and cervicography as a pap smear in early detection of cervical cancer. Pap smear, cervicography, and HPV-DNA test data were obtained from 161 patients who visited the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chunan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University from November 1997 to April 1998. Histologic specimens were obtained from patients in whom abnormalities were detected by either pap smear or cervicogram, and by naked eye. Specimens were taken either by colposcopically directed biopsy or large loop excision of the transformation zone. Results were as follows: 1. Pap smear results were normal in 40 cases (24.8%), RCC (reactive cellular change) or ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance) in 74 cases (46%), and abnormal (above low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) in 47 cases (29.2%). 2. New Cervicographic findings were negative in 93 cases (57.8%), benign or suspicious atypical in 14 cases (8.7%), and positive in 54 cases (33.5%). 3. The sensitivity (94.6% vs 67.7%, p<0.01), and the false positive rate (19.8% vs 14.6%, p<0.01) of cervicography were significantly higher than for pap smear. The specificity (83.0% vs 86.2%, p<0.01), and the false negative rate (5.4% vs 32.3%, p<0.01) of cervicography were significantly lower than for pap smear. 4. When New Cervicography and Pap smear were used together, the sensitivity was higher than for pap smear in New Cervicography used alone (p<0.01) and the specificity was lower than for pap smear or cervicography used alone (p<0.01). 5. When cervicography and pap smear and HPV-DNA test were used concurrently, the sensitivity was higher than for cervicography and pap smear used together (p<0.01), and the specificity was lower than for cervicography and pap smear used together (p<0.01). The three screening test combination is a useful interval screening method to detect cervical cancer. The detection rate of cervical cancer will be increased. Thus, we believe that cervicography and HPV testing can be important adjuntive tests for cervical cytology, final tool in precancerous cervical lesions prevention. Combination of these three tests is sensitive enough to institute "interval screening" into society.