Peter Fekete
High professional and public interest for the cervical precancerous lesions in different aspects is due to several factors.
Probably the most important factor is a significant increase of patients with HPV-associated diseases. Used classification
terminology of the cervical precancerous lesions has been changed several times. Even now, the uniform terminology
has not been established, which would lead to a sufficiently clear communication between pathologists and
gynaecologists. The criteria for histological classification of glandular precancerous lesions are also not completely ideally
defined. CIN 1 is a histological diagnosis associated with benign viral replication with regression rates of 70-90 %.
CIN 2 is a variable precursor of cervical cancer. CIN 3, CIS is considered to be a true precancerous lesion with the real potential
for progression to invasive cancer during the period of 12 months. A key role in the management of precancerous
lesions plays colposcopy, histological interpretation of the findings together with cytology, HPV routine and specialized
testing. With management of high-grade precancerous lesions we prevent ’progression’ to invasive carcinoma.
Therefore, it is essential to have the patient assessed by an experienced colposcopist who is able to assess the current
findings and suggest the best practice and consider the risks associated with therapy or conservative management.