The Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology Project and its implications for clinical care

Abstract

Based on a growing need for unified terminology to describe the pathologic and clinical spectrum of lesions, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology and the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center convened the Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology (LAST) Project to reassess and harmonize the terminology used to describe human papillomavirus-associated squamous lesions of the lower anogenital tract as manifested in a variety of end organs. The distinction between cancer precursors and those without malignant potential leads to consistency in the interpretation of management guidelines and the therapeutic options.