Cytology of the neovagina in transgender women and individuals with congenital or acquired absence of a natural vagina.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to describe the cytological findings of bowel and (penile) skin-lined neovaginas in patients with gender dysphoria (GD) and individuals with a congenital or acquired absence of a natural vagina. The secondary objective was to correlate the cytological findings with clinical characteristics such as oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT).

METHODS: A retrospective review of an institutional pathology archive over a 15-year-period was performed to identify cytological samples of neovaginal vaults. The medical and surgical records of the patients identified (n=20) were evaluated.

RESULTS: Well-preserved nucleated squamous cells were found in 70% (14/20) of patients. Neovaginal samples showing superficial, intermediate and parabasal cells plus Döderlein flora similar to normal cervical cytology were present in only 10% (2/20). Three samples (15%, 3/20) showed atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) that were all negative for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) types, whereas one case was positive for low-risk (LR) HPV. One patient (5%, 1/20) was diagnosed with an HR-HPV-positive high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and one patient (5%, 1/20) had an HR- and LR-HPV-positive low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). The correlation between the presence of nucleated squamous cells and ERT was significant (P=.032).

CONCLUSION: Cytological findings of the neovagina resemble normal cervical cytology with superficial, intermediate and parabasal cells as well as Döderlein bacilli in a minority of cases. Because precancerous lesions and invasive carcinoma may develop in the neovagina, patients with neovaginas should be subject to cancer screening programmes.