"Vinegar test" as alternative to cytology

[Enkidu]

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I just heard a story on NPR about a clinical test that involves application of acetic acid to the cervix to identify precancerous lesions. The gist of the story was that this screening method was somehow more accurate than traditional cytology. Usually NPR is pretty good, but I have doubts about this claim. Anyone hear of this test?

 

[thebouque]

I just heard a story on NPR about a clinical test that involves application of acetic acid to the cervix to identify precancerous lesions. The gist of the story was that this screening method was somehow more accurate than traditional cytology. Usually NPR is pretty good, but I have doubts about this claim. Anyone hear of this test?

Well I don't know what you're referring to exactly, but application of acetic acid to the cervix in order to know what areas should be biopsied during colposcopy is standard of care... It doesn't replace cytology, in fact it is usually done after a cytology diagnosis has been made. Have you rotated through OB GYN yet ?

Peace

 

[Enkidu]

Well I don't know what you're referring to exactly, but application of acetic acid to the cervix in order to know what areas should be biopsied during colposcopy is standard of care... It doesn't replace cytology, in fact it is usually done after a cytology diagnosis has been made. Have you rotated through OB GYN yet ?

Peace

No, I haven't done any clinical rotations yet. Just stuck in a lab for my PhD. Acetic acid was presented as being more sensitive than a pap smear and is being adopted for widespread screening in the third world. Just thought I'd check with the experts.

 

[TMZ2007]

It really wasn't presented as "more sensitive" than than pap (although you might make the argument that they implied it was "as sensitive"), but that access to cervical cytology in the third world is pretty limited and that cervical ca rates over there have not seen the same decrease as in the first world since pap screening began.

Basically, they are doing the acetowhite reaction during direct exam then freezing the white patches (instead of biopsying them). It certainly sounds like a reasonable method, but I'd be curious to see if they have any data supporting its use, which the story didn't really discuss.

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

Its not more accurate. They have been doing this in poor countries with some success since anything is better than nothing. Its not a bad strategy in low resource countries until they can get some kind of a cheap point of care test.

On a related subject.
Not long ago there was studies published about dogs trained to smell urine looking for Urothelial Cell Cancer.
Who knows, maybe we will have to hire beagles or worse yet those darn urologists will hire the beagles and not pay them fairly. I'm suprised Plando doesnt provide in-office dogs as part of his service.

 

[Torsed]

Thats what you get for listening to NPR.

 

[lipomas]

Well, you know open thoracotomy is better than chest xray at detecting lung nodules. Doesn't mean it should replace things. Procedures that are less invasive are often preferred by patients!

 

[thebouque]

Well, you know open thoracotomy is better than chest xray at detecting lung nodules. Doesn't mean it should replace things. Procedures that are less invasive are often preferred by patients!

Your example is true but it doesn't apply to the OP's case. Vinegar application to the cervix is not more invasive than a pap smear.