When is There no Benefit in Performing a Biopsy in the Suspicion of Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix?

Abstract

Objective To evaluate whether colposcopy-directed biopsy is necessary to increase the accuracy of diagnosing cervical intraepithelial lesions in relation to colposcopy. Methods We performed a retrospective, observational study by analyzing medical records obtained from Hospital de Clínicas do Paraná from February 2008 to February 2018. Patients with results of Pap tests, colposcopy, colposcopy-directed biopsy, and surgical procedures (high-frequency surgery or cold conization) were included. Data such as quadrants involved during colposcopy and age differences were also analyzed. Results A total of 299 women were included. Colposcopy was found to have an accuracy rate of 76.25% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.4–81.1). Among the highest-grade lesions, the accuracy rate was 80.5% (95% CI, 75.7–85.3). The accuracy rates for biopsy were 79.6% (95% CI, 75–84.2) and 84.6% (95% CI, 80–89.1) for the highest-grade lesions. High-grade lesions were accurately confirmed in 76.9% and 85% of patients with 1 and 2 or more affected quadrants, respectively. For women younger than 40 years, the accuracy rates were 77.6% and 80.8% for colposcopy and biopsy, respectively. For women 40 years or older, the accuracy rates were 72.5% and 76.3% for colposcopy and biopsy, respectively. Conclusion There is no difference between the accuracy of colposcopy and that of biopsy in diagnosing cervical intraepithelial lesions in relation with the result of conization. The patients who received the greatest benefit when biopsy was not performed were those with high-grade lesions at colposcopy, a lesion involving 2 or more quadrants, and those younger than 40 years.