High-Grade Squamous Lesions: HSIL and SCC
The primary aim of cervical screening is to identify high-grade squamous lesions. A cytology report predicting HSIL enables early detection and treatment at colposcopy, preventing invasion.
Cytological identification of invasive SCC often detects it earlier than symptom-based diagnosis, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality.
While assessing HSIL in clear-cut cases is straightforward, its variable appearance in cytology samples poses challenges. SCC assessment is particularly difficult due to inflammation, bleeding, and ulceration, which compromise cytologic material quality.
To complete this unit
1. Listen to the NCPTS PowerPoint talk on the histology of high-grade squamous lesions
2. Listen to the NCPTS PowerPoint talk on the cytology of HSIL and SCC
3. Read the NCPTS Cytomorphology Notes on HSIL and Notes on SCC for Years 1-2 Registrars
4a. Test yourself with the practice MCQS
4b. Test yourself with the practice slides
Next steps
6. Attend the Year 1-2 NCPTS workshop
7. Take the NCPTS assessment test at the end of the workshop to see how much you have learned