HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF CERVICAL LESIONS IN CERVICAL BIOPSY SPECIMENS: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Cervical lesions form an important group of gynecological pathology specimens and include inflammatory, premalignant, and malignant conditions. Although many cervical lesions are benign and inflammatory, premalignant and malignant lesions remain clinically significant because early diagnosis can prevent progression to invasive cervical cancer. Aim: To evaluate the histopathological spectrum of cervical lesions in cervical biopsy specimens and correlate them with clinical presentation. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology among 130 cervical biopsy specimens received for histopathological examination. Clinical details, including age, symptoms, parity, clinical findings, and provisional diagnosis, were collected from pathology requisition forms. All biopsy specimens were fixed in 10% formalin, processed routinely, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and examined microscopically. Lesions were categorized into inflammatory, premalignant, and malignant groups. Results: The mean age of patients was 42.8 ± 11.6 years. Most patients belonged to the 31–40-year and 41–50-year age groups. White discharge per vaginum was the most common presenting complaint, followed by unhealthy cervix and irregular bleeding. Chronic cervicitis was the most common histopathological diagnosis, followed by chronic cervicitis with squamous metaplasia and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Inflammatory lesions constituted the majority of cases. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common malignant lesion. Advancing age showed significant association with malignant cervical lesions. Among patients with postcoital bleeding, high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma were important findings. Conclusion: Inflammatory cervical lesions constituted the majority of cervical biopsy findings, with chronic cervicitis being the predominant diagnosis. Premalignant and malignant lesions were also identified in a clinically important proportion of cases. Histopathological examination remains essential for definitive diagnosis, grading of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and early detection of invasive malignancy.