Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology (LAST) for HPV-Associated Lesions
Publication Date: June 28, 2012
Last Updated: March 14, 2022
Summary of Consensus Recommendations
Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions
A unified histopathological nomenclature with a single set of diagnostic terms is recommended for all HPV-associated preinvasive squamous lesions of the lower anogenital tract (LAT).
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A 2-tiered nomenclature is recommended for noninvasive HPV-associated squamous proliferations of the LAT, which may be further qualified with the appropriate –IN terminology.
–IN refers to the generic intraepithelial neoplasia terminology, without specifying the location. For a specific location, the appropriate complete term should be used. Thus for an –IN 3 lesion: cervix = CIN 3, vagina = VaIN 3, vulva = VIN 3, anus = AIN 3, perianus = PAIN 3, and penis = PeIN 3
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The recommended terminology for HPV-associated squamous lesions of the LAT is low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and highgrade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), which may be further classified by the applicable –IN subcategorization.
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Biomarkers in HPV-Associated Lower Anogenital Squamous Lesions
p16 IHC is recommended when the H&E morphologic differential diagnosis is between precancer (–IN 2 or –IN 3) and a mimic of precancer (e.g., processes known to be not related to neoplastic risk such as immature squamous metaplasia, atrophy, reparative epithelial changes, tangential cutting).
Strong and diffuse block positive p16 results support a categorization of precancerous disease.
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If the pathologist is entertaining an H&E morphologic interpretation of –IN 2 (under the old terminology, which is a biologically equivocal lesion falling between the morphologic changes of HPV infection [low-grade lesion] and precancer), p16 IHC is recommended to help clarify the situation. Strong and diffuse block positive p16 results support a categorization of precancer. Negative or non-block positive staining strongly favors an interpretation of low-grade disease or a non-HPV associated pathology.
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p16 is recommended for use as an adjudication tool for cases in which there is a professional disagreement in histologic specimen interpretation, with the caveat that the differential diagnosis includes a precancerous lesion (–IN 2 or –IN 3).
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WG4 recommends against the use of p16 IHC as a routine adjunct to histologic assessment of biopsy specimens with morphologic interpretations of negative, –IN 1, and –IN 3.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE:
p16 IHC is recommended as an adjunct to morphologic assessment for biopsy specimens interpreted as ≤ –IN 1 that are at high risk for missed high-grade disease, which is defined as a prior cytologic interpretation of HSIL, ASC-H, ASC-uS/HPV16+, or AGC (NOS).
Any identified p16-positive area must meet H&E morphologic criteria for a high-grade lesion to be reinterpreted as such.
p16 IHC is recommended as an adjunct to morphologic assessment for biopsy specimens interpreted as ≤ –IN 1 that are at high risk for missed high-grade disease, which is defined as a prior cytologic interpretation of HSIL, ASC-H, ASC-uS/HPV16+, or AGC (NOS).
Any identified p16-positive area must meet H&E morphologic criteria for a high-grade lesion to be reinterpreted as such.
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Superficially Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SISCCA)
SISCCA Recommendation:
The term superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SISCCA) is recommended for minimally invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the LAT that has been completely excised and is potentially amenable to conservative surgical therapy.
Note: Lymph–vascular invasion (LVI) and pattern of invasion are not part of the definition of SISCCA, with the exception of penile carcinoma.
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For cases of invasive squamous carcinoma with positive biopsy/resection margins, the pathology report should state whether: The examined invasive tumor exceeds the dimensions for a SISCCA (defined below)
OR
The examined invasive tumor component is less than or equal to the dimensions for a SISCCA and conclude that the tumor is “At least a superficially invasive squamous carcinoma.”
OR
The examined invasive tumor component is less than or equal to the dimensions for a SISCCA and conclude that the tumor is “At least a superficially invasive squamous carcinoma.”
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In cases of SISCCA, the following parameters should be included in the pathology report:
- The presence or absence of LVI.
- The presence, number, and size of independent multifocal carcinomas (after excluding the possibility of a single carcinoma).
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SISCCA Site-Specific Recommendation
Mucosal
CERVIX
SISCCA of the cervix is defined as an invasive squamous carcinoma that:
- Is not as grossly visible lesion AND
- Has an invasive depth of ≤3 mm from the basement membrane of the point of origin AND
- Has a horizontal spread of ≤7 mm in maximal extent AND
- Has been completely excised.
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VAGINA
No recommendation is offered for early invasive squamous carcinoma of the vagina.
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ANAL CANAL
The suggested definition of SISCCA of the anal canal is an invasive squamous carcinoma that: Has an invasive depth of ≤3 mm from the basement membrane of the point of origin, AND Has a horizontal spread of ≤7 mm in maximal extent, AND Has been completely excised.
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Cutaneous
VULVA
Vulvar SISCCA is defined as an AJCC T1a (FIGO IA) vulvar cancer.
No change in the current definition of T1a vulvar cancer is recommended.
No change in the current definition of T1a vulvar cancer is recommended.
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PENIS
Penile SISCCA is defined as an AJCC T1a.
No change in the current definition of T1a penile cancer is recommended.
No change in the current definition of T1a penile cancer is recommended.
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SCROTUM
No recommendation is offered for early invasive squamous carcinoma of the scrotum.
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PERIANUS
The suggested definition for SISCCA of the perianus is an invasive squamous carcinoma that: Has an invasive depth of ≤3 mm from the basement membrane of the point of origin, AND Has a horizontal spread of ≤7 mm in maximal extent, AND Has been completely excised.
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Recommendation Grading
Overview
Title
Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology (LAST) for HPV-Associated Lesions
Authoring Organization
College of American Pathologists
Publication Month/Year
June 28, 2012
Last Updated Month/Year
January 8, 2024
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Guideline
External Publication Status
Published
Country of Publication
US
Inclusion Criteria
Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Hospital, Outpatient
Intended Users
Epidemiology infection prevention, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Diagnosis, Prevention, Management
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D018307 - Neoplasms, Squamous Cell
Keywords
Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology, LAST, HPV lesions