RATIONALE: Screening tests may help doctors detect abnormal cells in the cervix early and plan effective treatment.

PURPOSE: Screening trial to compare different types of screening tests used to detect cervical neoplasia.

OBJECTIVES:

• Compare the sensitivity and specificity of primary screening strategies for the detection of cervical intraepithelial or invasive neoplasia.
• Compare the positive and negative predictive values of these strategies.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to the reason for the visit (general gynecological screening vs colposcopy referral).

• Stratum 1 (general gynecological screening): Patients undergo Pap smear, visual inspection aided by acetic acid (VIA), a colposcopy, and finally a visual inspection aided by toluidine blue (VIT) followed by an acetic acid wash. A biopsy may be performed at this initial visit. Within 2-3 weeks, patients are notified of results.
• Stratum 2 (colposcopy referral): Patients undergo Pap smear, VIA, colposcopy, VIT, and possible biopsy as in stratum 1. During the same visit, patients receive histologic evaluation and treatment with See-and-Treat loop electrosurgical excision procedure and/or endocervical curettage.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 600-1,000 patients (300-500 per stratum) will be accrued for this study.

Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years and above,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• History of cervical neoplasia
• Presenting for a well-woman visit, annual Pap smear, or family planning
• Other gynecological or non-gynecological complaints allowed OR
• Referred for colposcopy secondary to an abnormal Pap smear
• Planned screening for cervical cancer

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age:

• Over 18

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• No bleeding diathesis

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

Other:

• Not pregnant

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• Not specified

Surgery:

• Prior laser surgery, cryotherapy, or conization or loop electrosurgical excision procedure for cervical neoplasia allowed
• No prior hysterectomy

Other:

• No concurrent anticoagulants