Treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2–3 and adenocarcinoma in situ: cryotherapy, large loop excision of the transformation zone, and cold knife conization

Overview

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a premalignant lesion that is diagnosed by histology as CIN1, CIN2, or CIN3. If left untreated, CIN2 or CIN3 (collectively referred to as CIN2+) can progress to cervical cancer. There are three principal treatments for CIN available in low- and middle-income countries: cryotherapy, large loop excision of the transformation zone (LEEP), and cold knife conization (CKC).

This guideline builds upon the "WHO guidelines: use of cryotherapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia" published in 2011, and provides recommendations for the use of cryotherapy versus LEEP versus CKC for the treatment of histologically confirmed CIN2+, and additional recommendations for the treatment of histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS).