Morphological & biological characteristics of  CIN

• In all cases of CIN, the normal epithelium of the cervix is replaced by abnormal epithelial cells showing varying degrees of differentiation.
• Undifferentiated  neoplastic cells of basaloid or parabasaloid appearance may occupy the whole  thickness of the epithelium (CIN3) or they may differentiate as they approach they approach the surface (CIN1,CIN2)
• The nuclei of the  undifferentiated cells are large, irregular and vary in size and shape. The chromatin content is increased and abnormal in structure and the nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio is high.
• As neoplastic cells differentiate    the amount of cytoplasm increases. Nuclear irregularity, pleomorphism and anisonucleosis persist although there is usually a decrease in nuclear size.
• Mitotic  activity is no longer confined to the basal layers of the epithelium and atypical mitoses may be seen at any level
• It is not uncommon for  foci of CIN1,CIN2 and CIN3 to be present in the same cervix

CIN1	CIN2	CIN3

The abnormal cells  found in the smear are derived from the surface of the CIN lesion. The abnormal cells appear  singly or in streaks or in sheets. They can be distinguished from normal cells by the following features:

The morphology of cells from a focus of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia as they appear in cervical smears Disproportionate nuclear enlargement resulting in alteration of normal nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio. variation in nuclear size and shape. irregularity of nuclear outline hyperchromasia of nucleus  and abnormal chromatin pattern large irregular and sometimes multiple nuclei (not in CIN1) The grade of CIN (CIN 1, 2 or 3) can be deduced from the degree of nuclear enlargement and alteration of n/c ratio.

The three enlargeable tables below describe and illustrate with library of slides the cytological features of the different grades of CIN

Cytological diagnosis of CIN1 (encompassing LSIL and mild dysplasia) Show Cytological diagnosis of CIN2 (encompassing HSIL and moderate dysplasia) Show Cytological diagnosis of CIN3 (encompassing HSIL, severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ) Show