SURGICAL PATHOLOGY OF THE UTERINE CERVIX - DIAGNOSTIC PROBLEMS AND CONTROVERSIES

Biopsy samples from the uterine cervix account for a significant perce ntage of the routine caseload encountered in surgical pathology. This article highlights some controversial topics, including microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma and early (microinvasive) adenocarcinoma. A va riety of distinctive malignant neoplasms and certain benign ''tumor-li ke'' conditions that may be confused with malignancy are reviewed. Fin ally, the recently introduced large loop excision of the transformatio n,zone (LLETZ) biopsy technique is briefly discussed.