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A Cytological Scale for Cervical Carcinogenesis¹

School of Public Health [E. S.] and Department of Biomathematics, School of Medicine [A. B. F., L. Y., W. J. D.], University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024

We have postulated a gradient of changes in cervical carcinogenesis ranging from preliminary nonspecific cellular modulations and atypias, through dysplasia as a precursor state, with increasing degrees of severity, to the noninvasive and invasive stages of cancer. In this paper we describe contruction and validation of a numerical scale in relation to the proposed order of progression. We present evidence in support of both the ordering of the categories, defined on the basis of cytological criteria, and the calibration and reliability of the scale. The scale provides a quantitative measure for use in studying natural progression in a defined population. The index of cytological progression can also be used as a biological measure in estimating adverse effects, to be correlated with exposure to the suspected causal factor.

¹ Supported by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Grant NO1-HD-3-2731, NIH.

Received 1/14/74. Accepted 5/24/74.

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				E Stern, A. Forsythe, L Youkeles, and C. Coffelt Steroid contraceptive use and cervical dysplasia: increased risk of progression Science, June 24, 1977; 196(4297): 1460 - 1462. [Abstract] [PDF]