Should attention be paid to the cone depth in the fully visible transformation zone? Retrospective analysis of 517 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 161; no. 1; pp. 137 - 143
• Main Authors: Giannella, Luca, Delli Carpini, Giovanni, Di Giuseppe, Jacopo, Gardella, Barbara, Bogani, Giorgio, Monti, Ermelinda, Liverani, Carlo Antonio, Roncella, Elena, Raspagliesi, Francesco, Spinillo, Arsenio, Vercellini, Paolo, Ciavattini, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-04-2023
• Subjects: Attention; Cervix Uteri - pathology; cone depth; Conization; endocervical margin; Female; Humans; Margins of Excision; Retrospective Studies; transformation zone; type 1 transformation zone; type 2 transformation zone; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia - pathology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - pathology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - surgery; type 2 transformation zone; cone depth; endocervical margin; type 1 transformation zone; conization; transformation zone
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14520

Objective
The predictors of positive endocervical margin (EM) and a cone‐depth cutoff value are not established in the fully visible transformation zone (TZ). The present study aimed to assess the independent variables associated with positive EM in women with high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and fully visible TZ.
Methods
The current investigation was a retrospective study including women with fully visible TZ and CIN 3 cone histology between 2014 and 2019. The sample was divided into women with positive versus those with negative EM. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Finally, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was also used.
Results
A total of 123 of 517 women (23.8%) showed positive EM at conization. Multivariate analysis found a positive association with type 2 TZ (odds ratio [OR], 2.17 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19–3.94]) and lesion extension ≥2 cervical quadrants (OR, 35.57 [95% CI, 17.96–70.45]). Cone depth was inversely related to positive EM (OR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.63–0.80]). In women with type 2 TZ and lesion extension ≥2 cervical quadrants, the cutoff value was achieved at 8‐mm cone depth (area under the curve, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.67–0.90]).
Conclusion
In women with high‐grade CIN and fully visible TZ undergoing conization, the lesion extension and the TZ subtype (1 or 2) should be considered. A no less than 9‐mm cone depth provided a fair predictive value in achieving free EM.
Synopsis
In women with high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and fully visible transformation zone, a cone depth of at least 9 mm provided a fair value in achieving a free endocervical margin.