Evaluation of colposcopy in the postmenopausal woman.

Cytology, colposcopy and histology findings in 121 postmenopausal and 120 premenopausal women referred to the Oxford colposcopy clinic were compared; 88% of postmenopausal and 69% of premenopausal women were referred by their general practitioners. Cervical smear reports, within the preceding 5 years, were available for 21% of the postmenopausal and 54% of the premenopausal women. Colposcopic assessment was technically unsatisfactory in 53% of the postmenopausal women because the transformation zone was not completely visible, this contributed to a cone biopsy rate of 71% in this group.

Langerhans' cells in human cervical epithelium: effects of wart virus infection and intraepithelial neoplasia.

The distribution of Langerhans' cells and T and B lymphocytes in cervical epithelium affected by wart virus infection (WVI) and intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) has been studied by immunohistological techniques with a panel of monoclonal antibodies. In comparison with normal tissue epithelium infected by wart virus consistently showed a partial depletion or absence of both Langerhans' cells and T lymphocytes. The few Langerhans' cells which remained showed loss of their normal dendritic processes and were confined to the vicinity of the basement membrane.