Colposcopic findings and intraepithelial neoplasia in diethylstilbestrol-exposed offspring. The Dutch experience.

Data from two regional diethylstilbestrol clinics for colposcopic evaluation of young women with a history of diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero are presented: A total of 224 subjects with a well-documented history were enrolled in this study. Structural anomalies of the cervix and vagina were found in 30%. Vaginal epithelial changes were colposcopically observed in 65%, including vaginal adenosis in 22%. The prevalence rate of abnormal cytologic findings in the study group was 9%. In half of these patients a low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of the cervix and vagina was found. It was concluded that colposcopy in diethylstilbestrol-exposed offspring in inexperienced hands can result in many unnecessary biopsies. Therefore colposcopic examination should be performed by expert colposcopists in referral diethylstilbestrol centers.