Progression of cervical lesions in HIV-seropositive women: A cytological study

It has been reported that cervical intraepithelial lesions have a more aggr essive course in HIV-seropositive than in HIV-seronegative women. In the pr esent investigation, the progression of these cervical lesions was studied in a group of HIV-seropositive women. Of 1,587 patients, 200 (12.6%) had a cytological diagnosis of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) or invasive carcinoma. In 409 patients, more than one cytological smear was collected i n 31/2 years. Progression occurred in 39 cases. In 24 (61.5%), the first di agnosis was benign cellular changes (BCC) and the second was low-grade SIL (LSIL) (1-yr interval in 21 cases); in 11 (28.2%), the first was BCC, and t he second high-grade SIL (HSIL) (1-yr interval in 9 cases); in 2 (5.0%), th e first diagnosis was LSIL, and the second, HSIL (1-yr interval); in 2(5.0% ), the first was HSIL, and the second, invasive carcinoma (2-yr interval). These results point to the importance of cervical cytologic surveillance in HIV-seropositive patients. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.