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Cervical cytology: Interpretation of results

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cytology became the standard screening test for cervical cancer and premalignant cervical lesions with the introduction of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear in 1941 [1]. Liquid-based, thin layer preparation (eg, ThinPrep®, SurePath™) of cervical cytology specimens was a subsequent modification in technique. Terminology for reporting cervical cytology was standardized by the Bethesda System in 1988 [2]. This system has been revised several times and the current system was developed in 2001 (table 1) [3,4]. (See "Cervical cancer screening tests: Techniques and test characteristics of cervical cytology and human papillomavirus testing".)

Interpretation of cervical cytology results will be reviewed here. Cervical cancer screening strategies and techniques, as well as the follow-up of abnormal cytology results and treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, are reviewed separately. (See "Screening for cervical cancer: Rationale and recommendations" and "Cervical cancer screening tests: Techniques and test characteristics of cervical cytology and human papillomavirus testing" and "Cervical cytology: Evaluation of atypical squamous cells (ASC-US and ASC-H)" and "Cervical cytology: Evaluation of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions" and "Cervical cytology: Evaluation of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions" and "Cervical cytology: Evaluation of atypical and malignant glandular cells" and "Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: Management".)

TERMINOLOGY FOR SQUAMOUS CELL ABNORMALITIES

There have been frequent modifications in the nomenclature used for classifying cytologic and histologic cervical changes associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and precancerous lesions. The current classification system in the United States was introduced with the Bethesda 1988 System [3].

The major shifts in terminology apply to squamous cell abnormalities. The corresponding terms across the three current and previous terminology systems for squamous cell abnormalities are shown in the table (figure 1).

Squamous cervical cytologic abnormalities (those detected with Pap tests) are reported using the term cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (CSIL). Specifying "cervical" differentiates these lesions from anal squamous intraepithelial lesions, which use similar terminology. (See "Anal intraepithelial neoplasia: Diagnosis, screening, prevention, and treatment".)

                             

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Literature review current through: 20.6: May 2012
This topic last updated: Sep 15, 2010
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