"Modernizing Cervical Cytology Screening with Liquid-Based Methods at Community-Level Hospitals: A Much-Needed Breakthrough for India".

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer still ranks highest causing cancer-related morbidity and mortality in women in India. It is prudent to emphasise and implement cervical cancer screening strategies in the population efficiently and with regular intervals. Conventionally, PAP smear cytology is obtained by wooden spatula-Ayre's spatula. To improve sensitivity and specificity of the procedure and detection rate, better techniques of cells retrieval are available mainly liquid-based cytology (LBC), with help of cyto-brush. Literature has consistently proven efficiency of the technique and also reduced the proportion of inadequate sampling. We conduct this study to compare both the techniques and efficiency in a community hospital from data over 6 years, to asses its role and benefits among Indian women.

Aims and objectives: To compare conventional PAP smear and liquid-based cytology techniques analysing detection rates of positive lesions (CIN and also includes ASCUS and malignant), incidence of inadequate sampling, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Methods: This is retrospective study at tertiary care obstetric hospital affiliated to government-run medical college in a metropolitan city of Mumbai. Data are retrieved from the Pathology Department, Medical Records Department, laboratory books and OPD registers. Pap's smear sampling was done mainly from OPD with all indications including routine tests as a part of gynaecological evaluation and screening, as well as for suspicious lesions on inspection. Group A consists women who had conventional PAP smear test for 3 years (Dec 2015-Nov 2018) and Group B had women who benefited by LBC method for 3 years (Dec 2018-Nov 2021). COVID-19 pandemic majorly affected the routine gynaecological OPD practice during 2021 as hospital was COVID facility hospital.

Results: Demographic parameters and presentations were comparable and similar. LBC methods have higher detection rate for positive reports, including ASCUS. But results were comparable in both groups and not statistically different. Importantly, incidences of inadequate sampling are reduced significantly with the LBC method. Unsatisfactory smears war high in Group A (7.752%) compared to Group B (3.712%) p-value 0.005, stating the increased rate of requirement of sending repeat smears, which involves higher engagement of time, resources and active participation from healthcare personnel.

Conclusion: Good detection rates and significantly low rates of unsatisfactory smears make LBC rational and cost-effective. These are the times to switch to liquid-based cytology techniques, especially at the community level hospitals; in order to detect more women with cervical premalignant as well as malignant neoplastic lesions and to save lives. This can be made possible by emphasising the policy makers to incorporate these services through quality resources.