Colposcopy for diagnosis of premalignant and malignant cervical lesions

Long-term infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major contributing factor in the development of premalignant and malignant cervical lesions. Effective disease prevention and control requires knowledge of the epidemiological characteristics of population, implementation of screening method, and detection of the disease at the early or at pre-stage of invasive disease. Screening methods include cytological methods – Pap smear, microbiological testing, HPV testing, HPV genotyping, and colposcopy. The use of new diagnostic tests necessitates a re-evaluation of all methods at all levels of screening or diagnosis. By comparing the guidelines of various professional societies for the screening and diagnosis of premalignant and malignant cervical lesions, colposcopy is a method that indicates further direction. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the importance and the role of colposcopy in diagnosis of premalignant and malignant changes of the cervix, in synergy with other diagnostic methods.