Annual Meeting On-Demand - Short Course #18 - Advancing Cervical Cancer Screening: Key Updates, Diagnostic Challenges, and Emerging Technologies

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among females globally and the second most common cancer in women aged 15–44 years. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), more than 604,000 new cases of cervical cancer caused 341,831 deaths worldwide in 2020. In the United States, there was significantly decreased incidence and death rate of cervical cancer. It was predominantly due to primary prevention through HPV vaccination, secondary prevention through the screening by cervical cytology and hrHPV testing with treatment of the cervical precancer HSIL/CIN2-3, and tertiary prevention focused on the diagnosis and treatment of invasive cervical cancers. Cytology has played a critical role in the reduction of cervical cancer development. However, issues remain in cervical cytology diagnosis, and new technology are poised to significantly transform current practices.

The 5th edition of the WHO classification of female genital tumors introduces a new framework for classifying endocervical adenocarcinomas based on HPV status. The recent ASCCP guideline have shiftedthe focus from an evidence-based approach to risk assessment-based strategy, incorporating algorithms that consider persistent hrHPV exposure. Primary hrHPV testing and DS on cytology slides had been an important topic of discussion at the recent ASCCP annual meetings. In early 2023, the ASCCP ECC guideline was released, with the ECC Above Excision guideline forthcoming. These ECC guidelines are evidence-based and emphasize hrHPV exposure status in clinical decision making. Simultaneously, the growing use of digital cytology and AI offers both opportunities and challenges, further shaping the future of cervical cytopathology.

This course will provide a comprehensive update on emerging technologies and cervical cancer screening guidelines, emphasizing their impact on clinical and cytopathology practices for cervical lesion screening and management. Using a case-based approach, the course will address diagnostic challenges and pitfalls. Topics will include common cervical tumors/lesions such as precursor lesions, squamous cell carcinoma, endocervical adenocarcinoma (including gastric type and adenosquamous carcinoma), as well as rare entities like Stratified Mucin-Producing Intraepithelial Lesion (SMILE), mesonephric carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, adenoid basal carcinoma/epithelioma, and extramammary Paget's disease. Key diagnostic features and the role of ancillary studies will also be discussed to equip attendees with practical insights into navigating the evolving landscape of cervical cytopathology.

Target Audience

This educational activity is designed for pathologists, cytopathologists, cytotechnologists, students and other members of the cytopathology community.

Learning Objectives

  • To illustrate the advantages and limitations of emerging technologies in cervical cytopathology, and summarize the guideline updates for cervical cancer screening (including 2023 ASCCP ECC guideline and 2025 USPSTF guideline)
  • To describe the current application of digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) in cervical cytopathology practice
  • To discuss the cytomorphologic features and ancillary studies for the diagnosis of cervical cancer in cervical cytology, in correlation to the new WHO 5th edition classification
  • To highlight the diagnostic challenges and pitfalls on cervical cytology in the era of Primary high-risk HPV Testing (hrHPV) and P16/Ki67 dual stain (DS)
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.50 California Credits
  • 1.50 CMLE
  • 1.50 Florida Credits
  • 1.50 Participant
Course opens: 
01/01/2026
Course expires: 
12/31/2028
Cost:
$125.00

Presenter(s):
Tianle Zou, MD, MS
Xiaoying Liu, MD, MS, FIAC

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
The faculty, committee members, Executive Board and staff who are in position to control the content of this activity are required to disclose to the ASC and to learners any financial relationships that have occurred within the last 24 months with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. The ASC has reviewed the disclosures and mitigated all relevant financial relationships.

The following individuals have reported financial relationships:
Israh Akhtar, MD, FIAC: Consultant - Astra Zeneca
Zaibo Li, MD, PhD: Consultant - PathAI, AlxMed; Board of Directors - Digital Pathology Association
Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD: Consultant – Gala Therapeutics

The following individuals have reported no relevant financial relationships:
Kristen Atkins, MD, Catherine Bammert, PhD, CT, MB(ASCP), CT(IAC), Christine Booth, MD, Marilyn Bui, MD, PhD, Amy Clayton, MD, Jacqueline Cuda, BS, SCT(ASCP), Fang Fan, MD, PhD, Beverly Haigler-Daly, BS, CT(ASCP), Michael Henry, MD, Angelique Levi, MD, Xiaoying Liu, MD, Abberly Lott Limbach, MD, Maria Cecilia Lozano, MD, PhD, MIAC, Varsha Manucha, MD, Sean McNair, MPH, CT(ASCP), Sara Monaco, MD, Maheswari Mukherjee, PhD, MSc, BPT, SCT(ASCP)CM, Dianna Ng, MD, Michiya Nishino, MD, PhD, Christopher O'Conor, MD, PhD, Melissa Randolph, BS, SCT(ASCP), Michelle Reid, MD, MSc, Marilin Rosa, MD, Sinchita Roy-Chowdhuri, MD, PhD, Momin Siddiqui, MD, FIAC, Zoon Tariq, MD, Michael Thrall, MD, Gary Tse, MBBS, Christopher VandenBussche, MD, PhD, Philippe Vielh, MD, PhD, Joe Walker, Jr, MS, SCT(ASCP), Vivian Weiss, MD, PhD, Lisa Zhang, Tianle Zou, MD, MS, Xiaoying, MD, MS, FIAC

The ASC staff associated with the development of content for this activity reported no relevant financial relationships.

ACCREDITATION AND DESIGNATION STATEMENTS

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Statement
The American Society of Cytopathology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  The American Society of Cytopathology designates this enduring educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Pathology Maintenance of Certification (CC)
This product can help fulfill the CME requirements mandated by the American Board of Pathology Continuing Certification (CC) process.  Earn up to 1.5 Credit Hours.

Continuing Medical Laboratory Education (CMLE)
The ASC designates this activity for a maximum of 1.5 Continuing Medical Laboratory Education (CMLE) credit hours for non-physicians.  The CMLE credit hours meet the continuing education requirements for the ASCP Board of Registry Certification Maintenance Program. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Cytotechnologists with Licenses in Florida and California
This program is approved for 1.5 continuing education credits in the States of Florida and California.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.50 California Credits
  • 1.50 CMLE
  • 1.50 Florida Credits
  • 1.50 Participant

Price

Cost:
$125.00
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