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The congenital cervicovaginal transformation zone in young women exposed to diethylstilboestrol in utero
Author(s) -
McDONNELL J. M.,
EMENS J. M.,
JORDAN J. A.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1984.tb04805.x
Subject(s) - colposcopy , epithelium , in utero , transformation (genetics) , vagina , diethylstilbestrol , biology , pathology , andrology , medicine , anatomy , pregnancy , cervical cancer , cancer , fetus , estrogen , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Summary Twenty‐seven young women exposed in utero to diethylstilboestrol have been studied for > 24 months. Serial study of the cervicovaginal transformation zone has been by the non‐invasive techniques of cytology, colposcopy and scanning electron microscopy. Minimal change has been noted in aceto‐white areas within the transformation zone and, although some progressive glycogenation has been observed, this has never been to the stage of fully glycogenated epithelium. Scanning electron microscopy has shown maturation of the epithelium although there has been some slowing or arrest of the process at the stage of immature squamous epithelium. The neoplastic potential of this epithelium is discussed.