Progression of Anal High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions to Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Clinical Management of Anal Superficially Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) are the precursors to anal squamous cell carcinoma. High-resolution anoscopy (HRA) uses a colposcope after application of acetic acid to visualize anal HSIL that are otherwise invisible. Magnification allows the identification of friability and abnormal vascular changes including punctation, mosaic pattern, and atypical vessels that are the hallmarks of HSIL. These areas are targeted for biopsy and in addition to identifying HSIL, sometimes yield a newly defined pathologic entity, superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SISSCA).
Source: Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Source Type: research