Cervical Screening Programme, England - 2019-20 [NS]

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme uses the following categories to record the results for women who are referred for gynaecological investigation at colposcopy clinics:

Cervical cancer
The outcome of investigation shows cervical cancer.

CIN (cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia)
CIN is an indicator of the depth of abnormal cells within the surface layer of the cervix, and is divided into 3 grades.

The higher the number/grade the more severe the condition:

• CIN1
  One third of the thickness of the surface layer of the cervix is affected.
• CIN2
  Two thirds of the thickness of the surface layer of the cervix is affected.
• CIN3
  Full thickness of the surface layer of the cervix is affected (also known as carcinoma in situ)

Adenocarcinoma in Situ
A localised growth of abnormal glandular tissue that may become malignant.

HPV only
Biopsies which were diagnosed as showing features consistent with HPV infection only. See Appendix B for more information on HPV.

No CIN/No HPV
Biopsies where no evidence of cervical disease or HPV infection can be identified and is to be used for specimens of normal tissue only.

Seen in colposcopy - result n/k
Women who have had a biopsy taken but the result is not yet known or available.

Inadequate biopsy
Biopsies which are known to be inadequate or unrepresentative due to deficiencies in the sampling process.

Colposcopy – no abnormality detected
Women with an adequate colposcopy result showing a normal result for cervical neoplasia or HPV infection without a biopsy being required.