PAP Smear
Alternate Names : Pap Test, Papanicolaou Test, Pap Screening
What do the test results mean?
A healthy Pap smear shows no abnormal
cells or evidence of inflammation. The presence of abnormally growing
cells on the surface of the cervix may be reported as an abnormal PAP
smear. Categories of cell changes include:
ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance)
AGUS (atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance)
LSIL (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion-possible HPV or CIN I)
CIN I (mild dysplasia)
CIN II (moderate dysplasia)
HSIL (high grade squamous lesions, CIN II, CIN III, CIS)
CIN III (severe dysplasia)
IS (carcinoma in situ)
All of these categories describe different degrees of abnormal
cells. Not all mean that a woman has or will develop
cervical cancer. However, a woman should follow up with her
doctor if her Pap smear results are abnormal. All these changes are
within the top layer of the cervix. The cancer has not spread
more deeply into the cervix or to other organs.
A woman who has had two or more abnormal Pap smears
(ASCUS, CIN I, or HPV changes) should undergo
colposcopy.
This is a test in which the cervix is viewed with a special lighted microscope.
A cervical biopsy
may also be needed. This involves taking a small tissue sample from the
cervix. The sample is examined further to find the cause of the
abnormal cells.
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