Comparative Study of Cervical Cancer Screening by Pap Smear and Liquid-Based Cytology and Its Clinical Correlation

2026-10-24T01:18:47+00:00

Background: Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women, particularly in developing countries. Early detection through effective screening is crucial.Objectives: To compare the diagnostic efficacy of conventional Pap smear and Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) and to correlate findings with histopathological examination (HPE). Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 100 high-risk women aged 21-65 years attending the gynecology outpatient department of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital. Paired samples for Pap smear and LBC were collected from each participant. Colposcopy-guided biopsy was performed, and histopathology was considered the gold standard. Results: LBC-detected 27% abnormal cases compared to 17% by Pap smear. Sensitivity of LBC was significantly higher 93.10%) than Pap smear (58.62%), while Specificity was 100% for both methods. Diagnostic accuracy was 98% for LBC and 88% for Pap smear. LBC also showed improved detection of LSIL and HSIL lesions and fewer unsatisfactory samples. Conclusion: LBC is superior to conventional Pap smear in detecting cervical epithelial abnormalities and can be considered a more reliable screening modality.

A prospective comparative study between two high-dose-rate brachytherapy schedules following external-beam radiotherapy for locally advanced carcinoma cervix at a tertiary cancer centre

2026-10-24T01:12:54+00:00

Background:High-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy is an essential component of curative radiotherapy for cervical cancer. The optimal timing and fractionation schedule should balance local tumour response, treatment duration and toxicity to adjacent organs.Objective:To compare treatment response, local control, acute toxicity and overall treatment time between twice-weekly and once-weekly high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy after external-beam radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.Methods:This prospective comparative study was conducted at the Department of Radiation Oncology, MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad, from September 2019 to July 2021. Forty eligible patients were allocated by simple randomisation to two groups of 20. The study group received pelvic external-beam radiotherapy (45 Gy in 25 fractions) followed by HDR brachytherapy of 7 Gy per fraction twice weekly for four fractions. The control group received external-beam radiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions) followed by HDR brachytherapy of 7 Gy once weekly for three fractions. Clinical response, acute bladder, rectal, vaginal and skin toxicity, and overall treatment time were assessed.Results:The mean age was 47.95 years in the study group and 53.95 years in the control group. Complete response was recorded in 18/20 (90%) versus 14/20 (70%) patients at the first-month assessment, and in 18/20 (90%) versus 16/20 (80%) at six months, respectively. Vaginal stenosis was reported in 6/20 (30%) study-group patients and 13/20 (65%) control-group patients (reported p=0.05). All study-group patients completed treatment in fewer than 50 days, compared with control group.Differences in reported bladder and rectal toxicity were not statistically significant.Conclusion:In this single-centre study, the twice-weekly schedule was associated with a shorter overall treatment time, a higher observed complete-response proportion at follow-up and less vaginal stenosis. Interpretation is limited by the small sample, and shorter follow-up.

International Journal of Health and Clinical Research

Comparative Study of Cervical Cancer Screening by Pap Smear and Liquid-Based Cytology and Its Clinical Correlation

A prospective comparative study between two high-dose-rate brachytherapy schedules following external-beam radiotherapy for locally advanced carcinoma cervix at a tertiary cancer centre