CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA (CIN1, CIN2, CIN3)

Dysplasia of the cervix epithelium, often pre-malignant (i.e., cancerous), characterized by various degrees of hyperplasia, abnormal keratinization (forming horny epidermal tissue) and condylomata. Considerable evidence implicates human papilloma virus (HPV) in the development of CIN. Immunosuppression may also play an important role in facilitating infection or persistence of HPV in the genital tract and progression of HPV-induced neoplasia. See also Cervix; Condyloma; Dysplasia; Epithelium; Hyperplasia; Neoplasm.