Reference Manual - IARC Screening Group

GLOSSARYAcetic AcidAcetowhite ChangeCarcinoma in Situ(CIS) 1CervicalIntraepithelialNeoplasia (CIN)Cervical StenosisCervicographyCold CoagulationColposcopyColumnar EpitheliumCone Biopsy (alsoknown as ColdKnife Conization)CryotherapyCytologyA vinegar solution that is applied to cervical tissue to makeidentification of abnormal tissue easier. The acetic acid interactswith diseased cells, causing epithelial lesions to turn white.Areas of the transformation zone that become white in color whenstained with acetic acid (see Transformation Zone).Malignant cell changes in the epithelial tissue that do not gobeyond the basement membrane (see HGSIL and LGSIL).Dysplasia of the basal layers of the squamous epithelium of thecervix (see HGSIL and LGSIL).A narrowing of the cervical canal that may impair fertility.Technique in which a photograph of the cervix is obtained afterapplication of dilute (3–5%) acetic acid using a specificallydesigned handheld camera (Cerviscope).The use of a thermal probe heated to 100EC to destroy abnormalcervical tissue.Examination of the vagina and cervix using an instrument thatprovides magnification to allow direct observation and study ofvaginal and cervical cells in vivo.Tall, glandular (mucus-secreting) cells that line the endocervix.A surgical procedure to obtain a cone of endocervical tissue bycutting with a cold knife (scalpel) so as to preserve the tissue’scellular characteristics for histopathology.Method of outpatient treatment that uses low temperatures (-60E to-90EC) to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. Most commonly, acompressed gas (liquid carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide) is used asthe coolant.The study of normal and abnormal cells, such as those covering theecto- and endocervix.1 CIN I, II, and III and CIS represent grades of dysplasia based on the degree to which the cervical epithelium is replacedby abnormal cells.Cervical Cancer Prevention Guidelines for Low-Resource Settings Glossary - 1