WHO guidelines for the use of thermal ablation for cervical pre-cancer lesions

Overview

Thermal ablation, also called “cold coagulation” or thermocoagulation, is an ablative treatment for CIN. The equipment is simple, lightweight (devices can weigh much less than 2 kg), and is easily portable to low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) field clinics. Treatment is based on a 20–40 second application (multiple if needed) of a reusable metallic probe that is electrically heated to approximately 100 °C, leading to epithelial and stromal destruction. Like cryotherapy, thermal ablation is provided by a variety of health care personnel, including primary health care workers, and typically performed without anesthesia.

The objectives of these guidelines are:

• to provide evidence-based guidance on the use of thermal ablation to treat cervical precancer; and
• to support countries to update their national guidelines for the use of thermal ablation for cervical precancer.