How are the results of a Pap test reported?
The way of reporting Pap test results has sometimes been confusing. A new reporting method, called the Bethesda System, was developed following a 1988 National Cancer Institute-sponsored workshop. The Bethesda System uses descriptive diagnostic terms rather than class numbers, which were used to report Pap test results in the past. This system of reporting includes an evaluation of specimen adequacy. 9. What do abnormal test results mean? A) A physician may simply describe Pap test results to a patient as “abnormal.” Cells on the surface of the cervix sometimes appear abnormal but are not cancerous. It is important to remember that abnormal conditions do not always become cancerous, and some conditions are more of a threat than others. A woman may want to ask her doctor for specific information about her Pap test result and what the result means. There are several terms that may be used to describe abnormal results. * Dysplasia is a term used to describe abnormal cells. Dysplasia is no
A Pap test is reported as normal (negative) when all the cells are of a healthy size and shape. An abnormal (positive) test is reported if any cells of different sizes or shapes are found. An abnormal Pap test does not mean you have cancer. Special terminology is used to describe the degree of abnormal cells. Since 2001, the categories used are: Benign Cellular or Reactive Changes; ASC-US (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance); ASC-H (atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade), Low Grade SIL (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion often referred to as mild dysplasia), High Grade SIL (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion – often referred to as moderate or severe dysplasia) and AGC (atypical glandular cells). WHAT CAUSES AN ABNORMAL PAP TEST? he presence of an infection such as yeast, bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, chlamydia or gonorrhea may cause cervical cells to appear inflamed, resulting in the finding described as benign cellular or reactive chan
Most laboratories in the United States now use the Bethesda System to report Pap test results. The Bethesda System uses descriptive terms rather than class numbers, which were used to report Pap test results in the past. The Bethesda System includes an evaluation of specimen adequacy and divides cervical cell abnormalities into three major categories: • ASCUS-atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. Squamous cells are the thin flat cells that form the surface of the cervix. • LSIL-low-grade (early changes in the size and shape of cells) squamous intraepithelial lesion. The word lesion refers to an area of abnormal tissue; intraepithelial means that the abnormal cells are present only in the surface layer of cells. • HSIL-high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. High-grade means that there are more marked changes in the size and shape of the abnormal (precancerous) cells that look very different from normal cells. ASCUS and LSIL are considered mild abnormalities. HSIL is
Most laboratories in the United States use a standard set of terms called the Bethesda System to report test results. Under the Bethesda System, Pap test samples that have no cell abnormalities are reported as “negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy.” Samples with cell abnormalities are divided into the following categories: • ASC—atypical squamous cells. Squamous cells are the thin flat cells that form the surface of the cervix. The Bethesda System divides this category into two groups: • ASC–US—atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. The squamous cells do not appear completely normal, but doctors are uncertain about what the cell changes mean. Sometimes the changes are related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (see Question 13). ACS–US are considered mild abnormalities. • ASC–H—atypical squamous cells cannot exclude a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. The cells do not appear normal, but doctors are uncertain about what the cell changes mean. A
