NONINVASIVE CERVICAL-CANCER COMPLICATING PREGNANCY

The evaluation of abnormal cervical cytology during pregnancy can be c hallenging. The development and continued improvement of colposcopy in this evaluation has lead to a more conservative approach to this prob lem. The proven safety and accuracy of colposcopy to rule out invasive disease in pregnancy has all but eliminated the need for diagnostic c onization of the gravid cervix. Close antepartum colposcopic observati on of premalignant lesions with re-evaluation and treatment in the pos tpartum period is now the accepted standard of care. The prudent use o f cone biopsy when colposcopy is nonsatisfactory is a must but it shou ld not be considered as adequate therapy for CIN once again stressing the importance of postpartum re-evaluation.