Investigations

Screening
Cytology-pap smear

HPV DNA testing for high-risk HPV types (e.g., types 16 and 18).

Visual inspection methods:
Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA)
VIA negative: the lesion looks Smooth, pink, uniform
VIA positive: the lesion turns acetone white

VIA positive

Visual Inspection with Lugol’s Iodine (VILI)
Uses lugol’s iodine to identify cervical pre cancer lesions
VILI positive: the lesion turns mustard- yellow colour
VILI negative: the cervix appears mahogany brown

VILI positive

Confirmatory investigations
Biopsy for histopathology
Wedge biopsy
Punch biopsy
Cone biopsy – in early cases may be therapeutic
Endocervical curettage for histopathology

To rule out metastasis
Pelvic USS
Chest X ray
Cystoscopy

Other investigations
WBC, Hb, RFTs, LFTs