Histological outcomes of anal high-grade cytopredictions.

Background: Longitudinal studies of histological outcomes after anal cytological screening in men who have sex with men (MSM) are rare. This study measured the positive predictive values (PPVs) of each level of baseline cytological abnormality in MSM in Sydney, Australia, over a 12-month period.

Methods: The Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer is a 3-year prospective study of the natural history of anal human papillomavirus infection in MSM at least 35 years old.

Is there a role for the thinprep imaging system in reporting anal cytology?

Background: The ThinPrep Imaging System (TIS) is an accurate time-saving method of reading cervical ThinPrep slides in screening programs. As anal and cervical cytology are morphologically similar, TIS can potentially be used for anal cytology. We assessed the performance of TIS on anal ThinPrep slides from homosexual men in a natural history study of human papillomavirus-related anal abnormalities.

Comparison of the performance of anal cytology and cervical cytology as screening tests.

Cervical cytology screening has a long history and has successfully reduced the impact of cervical cancer in many countries. Anal cytology is a relative newcomer and anal screening is currently offered in only a few centres around the world. Many questions need to be answered before anal screening is more widely adopted.