Objective: Review of diagnostical and therapeutical methods in glandular premalignant lesions of the uterine cervix.
Design: Review article.
Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University and General Faculty Hospital, Prague.
Results: The incidence of invasive adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix is increasing. Incidence ratio between adenocarcinomas and spinocellular carcinomas is approximately 1:5; however ratio of premalignant lesions reaches only about 1:80. Glandular premalignant disease is usually found in the specimen taken for squamous disease. The coincidence of both types of premalignant lesions, so called "mixed lesion", is revealed in about 46-72%. PAP-smear of AGC-NOS/-NEO or adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) in combination with typical colposcopic appearance raise a suspicion of glandular lesion. Direct biopsy must be always performed to get definite diagnosis. Optimum biopsy technique requires cylindrical excision. A woman can be carefully followed if desires pregnancy and specimen margins are negative. Hysterectomy is indicated if reproductive plans are completed.
Conclusion: Diagnosis of glandular premalignat lesion of the uterine cervix is more complicated in comparison to spinocellular one, however it is getting more significant due to increasing incidence. Colposcopy and cytology are less reliable. Any suspicion on glandular premalignat leasion requires more active approach and radical procedure (hysterectomy) if possible.