Liquid-based cytology (LBC) of the cervix with HPV 14 genotyping with sample collection at a medical centre

Quick diagnosis of neoplastic lesions in the early stage allows for effective treatment. If cervical cancer is detected early, it is almost 100% curable. For this reason, regular screening (at least every 3 years) is so important. Normal results of cytology with HPV genotyping extend the interval between subsequent screenings up to 5 years.

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is an alternative to conventional cytology.  It is a modern and, above all, precise method of screening.

One of the factors that increase the risk of developing cervical cancer is chronic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The genetic material of this virus has been observed in many neoplastic tumours of cervical cancer. Extending the cytological test with HPV genotyping makes it possible to check whether the cells of the cervix are currently infected with HPV. Additionally, we know what type of virus the patient has been infected with.

Who the test is for:

Cytology with HPV genotyping is recommended for women between 30 and 65 years of age. This is because most sexually active women under 30 are periodically infected with HPV. The vast majority of these infections heal themselves and are of no importance for the development of neoplastic lesions.

Why you should get tested:

• Thanks to the modern technique of processing the collected material, it is possible to obtain a greater number of cells to be assessed, and thus the test results are more accurate.
• The rate of detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions when using liquid-based cytology is significantly higher than in the case of conventional cytology, therefore the screening is more sensitive.
• Liquid-based cytology is more accurate – it allows for a greater detectability of lesions compared to conventional cytology.
• More accurate results mean better and faster diagnostic decisions.
• Additional tests can also be performed from the sample in a liquid medium, if necessary.
• A doctor aware of a patient's infection with a high-oncogenic type of HPV can decide on further actions, such as additional diagnostics or treatment.
• If the results of cytology with HPV genotyping are normal, further tests may be performed every 5 years.

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is an alternative to conventional cytology.  It is a modern and, above all, precise method of screening for cancer.

A brush with the collected material is in the first place transferred to a container filled with a proper fixative fluid, and then sent to a laboratory. Only in the laboratory, the suspension from the test tube is applied to the glass slide to obtain one layer of cells. In conventional cytology, the collected sample is transferred to the microscope slide while still in the doctor's office, right after collection.  Liquid-based cytology allows for filtering out the impurities (e.g. blood, mucus, inflammatory cells) from preparation. Such impurities may hinder the assessment of cervical cells.

Placing the collected sample quickly in the fixative fluid prevents it from drying out. Additionally, it reduces the risk of errors in microscopic assessment due to inadequate fixation of the preparation. This makes it easier to find abnormalities.

Liquid-based cytology provides more cells for assessment than conventional cytology. This way it improves the quality of the smear assessment and reduces the number of false-negative results.

In countries where liquid-based cytology is already widely used, the percentage of incorrect samples and inconclusive results has decreased.

One of the factors that increase the risk of developing cervical cancer is chronic HPV ("human papillomavirus") infection. The genetic material of this virus has been observed in many neoplastic tumours of cervical cancer. So far, about 200 types of this virus have been discovered. Only some of them are high-oncogenic, i.e. particularly contributory to the development of cervical cancer. The others do not increase this risk (they are low-oncogenic), but they can cause the so-called viral warts. Extending the cytological test with HPV genotyping makes it possible to check whether the cells of the cervix are currently infected with HPV and with what type of the virus.

Contraindications for the examination:

Note that samples for the test cannot be collected during menstruation.

Test procedure:

• The sample collection for examination is performed on a gynaecological chair.
• It involves inserting a speculum into the vagina and collecting a sample of the exfoliated cervical epithelium. This procedure is virtually painless, although patients may feel mild discomfort.
• The entire test, including the preparation, takes just a couple of minutes.

How to prepare for sample collection:

• Sample collection for liquid-based cytology resembles a standard cytological test and requires a patient to be appropriately prepared. Instructions on how to prepare for the cytology are included in the documents tab.