Late irradiation changes in vaginal cytology
Cytological studies were conducted, by conventional staining and fluorescence microscopy, on vaginal smears obtained from 124 patients 6 months to 25 yr after x-ray or radium therapy for gynecologic cancer. The results were compared with studies of smears from normal women. Evidence of protracted effects of irradiation on vaginal cells was obtained in 72% of the cases. Good late radiation change was found in 25% of the smears, of which 44% showed severe celiular atypism. All of the patients were clinically free of recurrent or persistent tumor. Smears showing late radiation change revealed the presence of predominantly basal and parabasal cells with a clean background relatively devoid of white blood cells. Cell clumping was prominent, with the cell borders in the clumps being indistinct and the nuclei being enlarged and irregular with a homogeneous appearance without chromatin clumping. Many of the nuclei assumed bizarre shapes and were hyperchromatic. Patients treated for cervical carcinoma showed the greatest degree of cytologic response as well as the severest degree of cellular atypism. Finally, length of time after treatment did not influence the relative degree of late radiation change.
- Research Organization:
- Baylor Univ., Houston, Tex.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-010372
- OSTI ID:
- 4737791
- Journal Information:
- American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Journal Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 81; ISSN 0002-9378
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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