Diagnostic Efficacy of DNA Ploidy in Liquid Based Cervical Cytology using DNA Cytometry

Abstract

Worldwide cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and high incidence is reported from India. Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) provides good morphology for detection of cellular abnormalities. We, therefore, reviewed diagnostic efficacy of conventional Pap staining, flow cytometry and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing in cervical pre cancer and cancer. Narrative review of cervical pre cancer and cancer candidate biomarkers including Pap staining, HPV and flow cytometry from cervical cytology fluids, is based on a detailed review of the literature. Based on the so far conducted studies, a promising conclusion can be drawn, that cytometry when coupled with HPV DNA typing or the conventional cytology gives better results as compared to that of conventional cytology or DNA cytometry alone. Liquid cytology provides a good and stable source of cervical cells to carry out ploidy studies using DNA cytometry. The procedure should be used in conjunction with LBC and HPV detection.

Keywords

• flow cytometry
• high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
• human papilloma virus
• low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
• squamous cell carcinoma