Fact CheckerSign in

NCT05283421Recruiting

Improving Diagnostics in Cervical Dysplasia

Improving Diagnostic in Cervical Dysplasia: A Randomized Study With Local Estrogen Prior to Colposcopy

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 31 Jul 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. It is caused by an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). A persistent infection with HPV is associated with increased risk of precancerous lesions, which may further develop into cervical cancer. To reduce the disease burden, accurate and timely diagnosis of cervical precancerous lesions are crucial. To identify cervical precancerous lesions, women are referred to colposcopy, which is the most important diagnostic tools to detect cervical precancerous lesions. It allows close visualization of the cervix in order to collect biopsies in the area called transformation zone (TZ), which is where precancerous lesions develop. It is essential for the physician to identify the TZ during colposcopy in order to obtain correct diagnosis. For women aged ≥50 this is often a challenge as TZ naturally with age, will retract further into the cervical canal, making the area for sampling invisible, and thereby the colposcopy inadequate. Consequently, this increases the risk of developing cancer due to diagnostic delay, and the risk of several colposcopy examinations or overtreatment (cone biopsy), before a final diagnosis is achieved. Few studies suggest that pretreatment with local vaginal estrogen prior to colposcopy may improve visualization of the TZ. Thereby, obtaining more accurate biopsies from the cervix, and thus making a more accurate and timely diagnosis in the first outpatient visit. The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate pre-diagnostic treatment with estrogen to improve the diagnosis of women with cervical precancerous lesions, in order to prevent cervical cancer. The study ia s randomized controlled double-blind multicenter study. The investigators will use information from Danish National Patient registry, and data from the Danish Pathology Data Bank. Enrollment will take place at the Departments of Gynecology in Denmark. Eligible women aged ≥ 50 years will be randomized 1:1 to receive local vaginal estrogen or placebo prior to the colposcopic examination. The investigators believe the results will provide the prerequisite for obtaining correct diagnosis, and thereby provide basis for choosing the right individualized examination- and treatment plan. The results will also contribute with important knowledge, that may help reduce the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer.

Status (registry)
Recruiting
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
150 (estimated)
First submitted
11 Feb 2022
Start date
23 Aug 2023
Primary completion date
1 Aug 2026
Lead sponsor
University of Aarhus
NCT number
NCT05283421

What you commit to

  • Study type: Interventional
  • Planned participants: 150
  • From 23 Aug 2023 to the primary completion date, 1 Aug 2026
  • 1 site in 1 country
  • Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Prior treatment

  • previous cervical radiotherapy, cervical amputation and/or cone biopsy

Other

  • Use of estrogen within the last 3 months regardless of administration form.
  • pregnancy

Who the study is looking for

  • Postmenopausal (defined as no bleeding ≥1 year) women referred for colposcopy aged ≥ 50 years.
  • Women referred for colposcopy due to a positive HPV test and/or an abnormal cervical cytology.
  • Women referred for colposcopy due to previous abnormal cervical histology with minimum 6. months since last colposcopy with biopsies.

Age in the registry: 50 years to - · Sex: Female · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.

SiteCityCountrySite status
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status
RandersDenmarkRecruiting

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.