Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are common sexually transmitted infectious agents responsible for several anogenital and head and neck cancers. Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading cause of death in women with cancer. The progression of a persistent HPV infection to cancer takes 15–20 years and can be preventable through screening. Cervical cytology (Pap smear) is the standard screening test for CC and precancerous lesions. For ASC-US and ASC-H lesions, a combination of Pap smear and HR-HPV analysis is recommended as a triage step before colposcopy. However, these tests cannot predict progression to CC. For this purpose, we summarized current scientific data on the role of p16/Ki-67 immunohistostaining, telomerase and fibronectin in predicting progression to CC. p16 and p16/Ki-67 dual staining (DS) were more specific than HR-HPV DNA testing for the detection of CIN2+/CIN3+ in women with ASC-US and LSIL. Similarly, hTERC FISH analysis significantly improved the specificity and positive predictive value of HPV DNA testing in differentiating CIN2+ from CIN2 cytological samples. In conclusion, p16 IHC, p16/Ki-67 DS and hTERC FISH amplification are all valid adjunctive biomarkers which significantly increase the sensitivity and specificity of cervical dysplasia diagnosis, especially when combined with HPV DNA testing. However, considering the global socioeconomic background, we can postulate that p16 and p16/ Ki-67 IHC can be used as a next step after positive cytology for ASC-US or LSIL specimens in low-income countries, instead of HPV DNA testing. Alternatively, if HPV DNA testing is covered by insurance, p16 or p16/Ki-67 DS and HPV DNA co-testing can be performed. In middle- and high-income countries, hTERC amplification can be performed as an adjunctive test to HPV DNA testing in women with ASC-US and LSIL.

Lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) systems are some of the most demanded techniques used for unwanted hair removal. They act by selective photothermolysis, a mechanism by which photons target the hair follicle me­la­no­cyes while, at the same time, sparing the sur­roun­ding tissue. However, when applied directly onto a pigmented lesion, the energy from the laser can be ab­sorbed by nevocytes, with subsequent thermal injury of the lesion. Few studies in the literature have described the consequences of laser and IPL devices on melanocytic nevi. Our aim was to summarize the clinical, dermatoscopic and histopathologic modifications that occurred in nevi after these hair removal techniques. We selected four case series and three case reports, totalling 12 patients, of which seven had been previously treated with laser and five with IPL for hair removal. Clinical modifications of nevi consisted in hy­per­pig­men­ta­tion, crust formation, two-colour aspect and complete clearance of nevi. Dermatoscopically, a change in pigment distribution and colour, microcrusts, grey-blue structures and a milky red veil were described. Histo­pa­th­o­lo­gical changes were consistent with inflammation and benignity. Ultraviolet radiation is known to cause DNA damage and mutagenesis, while the effects of visi­ble light and infrared laser on tissues are primarily ther­mal. However, we cannot definitively exclude the po­ten­tial for malignancy after repeated thermal trauma of nevo­me­la­nocytes.