Clinicopathological Characteristics of Squamous Cell Carcinoma and High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions Involving Endocervical Polyps

Abstract

Background/aim: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) involving endocervical polyps (ECPs).

Patients and methods: We collected the endocervical polypectomy cases and performed pathological examination and cytohistological correlation.

Results: During a period of 12 years, 21 (1.1%) HSILs and two (0.1%) SCCs involving ECPs were identified in 1,905 cases. Twelve (63.1%) of the 19 cases were cytohistologically concordant. In five HSILs and one SCC with polypectomy margin involvement, residual HSIL was identified in conization or hysterectomy specimens. Furthermore, in two HSIL patients and one SCC patient with negative polypectomy margins, residual HSILs were found in the conization specimens.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HSIL and SCC involving ECP in our cohort was similar to the rates found in previous studies. The presence of residual HSIL in nonpolypoid cervical tissue regardless of the polypectomy margin involvement suggests that conization or hysterectomy is needed for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

Keywords: Cervix; endocervical polyp; high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion; squamous cell carcinoma.