Long-term outcomes of photodynamic therapy for a positive resection margin after conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3
Positive resection margins after conization or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (conization/LEEP) are associated with increased risks of recurrence or residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Herein, we investigated the long-term outcomes of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for incomplete excision of CIN3. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 73 patients treated with PDT between 2000 and 2011. Patients who underwent conization/LEEP before PDT within 6 months were included. The primary outcomes were the complete response (CR) rate after 1 year and human papillomavirus (HPV) eradication rate at 6 months after PDT. A total of 34 patients with positive resection margins were finally enrolled. The median patient age was 33 years. Carcinoma in situ was diagnosed in 25 patients and CIN3 in 7 patients. The CR rate was 97.1% after 1 year. Except for one case of a persistent disease, there was no recurrence or newly developed disease during the median follow-up of 84 months (range, 12-224 months). The HPV eradication rate of PDT following conization/LEEP after 6 months was 96.9% (31/32). Photosensitivity was identified in five patients and cervical stenosis in one patient. In conclusion, PDT could be an effective therapeutic option for patients with a positive resection margin after conization/LEEP for CIN3. It could reduce the residual or recurrence rate of CIN lesions with tolerable adverse events.