WHO guidelines Use of cryotherapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Publication year: 2011
In 2008, cervical cancer was responsible for 275 000 deaths, of which about 88% occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide and the most common cancer in many low- and middle-income countries. Because it has a typically slow progression, from atypical cells to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and to invasive carcinoma, precancerous lesions can be treated and invasive cervical cancer prevented. This document presents recommendations for the use of cryotherapy compared to no treatment, and to LEEP in the presence of histological confirmation of precancer lesion, CIN (CIN1, CIN2 or CIN3). The document also addresses the use of different techniques of cryotherapy for CIN and provides recommendations for treatment of CIN in women who are pregnant, as well as for women who are HIV infected.