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Introduction
Cervical cancer is preventable or effectively treatable if detected early. Detection is relatively simple and comprises the analysis of a sample of cells exfoliated within the ectocervix and endocervix (Papanicolaou smear). For many years the Papanicolau smear has been used to detect cervical precancer and cancer.
An abnormal cervical smear in women has always been a problem of subsequent management. Three decades ago, many gynecologists would have recommend conization in the management of woman with a positive cytology. Colposcopy has changed the management of cervical precancer, enabling directed biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, exclude the invasion and consequently to allow the use of more conservative treatment techniques. Today, colposcopy is not only the tool to evaluate the abnormal cervical smear, but the integral part of treatment and follow-up, as well.
The Colpo-Gallery is created with the aim to present the conditions and diseases of the cervix, vagina and vulva, usually seen in clinical practice. The idea is to make the bank of slides which will be open to everyone who wishes to contribute to the collection with their own interesting cases. We invite not only the colposcopists, but also the cytologist and pathologists to add their illustrations of the different clinical cases. In the future, this Gallery is seen as a valuable educational tool for all specialists dealing with lower genital tract pathology.
The initial collection of pictures illustrates the new International Federation of Colposcopy and Pathology of the Cervix (IFCPC) Colposcopic Terminology of the Cervix, Vulva and Vagina.
(The text and pictures courtesy of Prof.Dr. Vesna Kesic except where marked differently)
Web design: Dina Shaylor
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