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Understanding your Pap smear results
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What is a Pap smear?
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The Pap smear is a sample of cells taken from the surface of the cervix (the opening into a woman’s womb). The test can find abnormal cells that could lead to cancer of the cervix or vagina. By having a Pap smear, a woman can prevent cancer of the cervix. It is not used to detect cancer in other parts of the body.
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How is the Pap smear performed?
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A speculum will be inserted into your vagina. This device gently opens the vagina so the cervix can be seen. A small brush and scraper are used to remove cells from the inside and outside of the cervix. In this office we are using the ThinPrep Pap Test. This is the latest technology in which the cells are placed into a bottle of liquid. The bottle is sent to the lab where debris can be removed and the cervical cells are transferred to a slide and read in a standard way.
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What is the Pap smear testing for?
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The Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. It may report abnormal cells known as dysplasia. Dysplasia is NOT cancer, although it may develop into very early cancer of the cervix if not treated. When cervical cells are dysplastic, they undergo a series of changes in their appearance. There are three degrees of dysplasia categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. This is determined by how abnormal the cells appear when evaluated under the microscope. The results of your Pap test are further classified by a system developed by the National Cancer Institute. This system helps your doctor plan treatment.
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How are the Pap smear results reported?
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NORMAL: Only normal cells were seen on your Pap smear. Often the Pap will also report minor vaginal infections such as yeast or bacterial vaginosis. These infections do not cause cancer; therefore this is still a normal Pap smear result.
ABNORMAL: The cells appear to be abnormal and need further evaluation. The concern is there may be dysplasia, also known as Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (SIL). This refers to abnormalities within the cells that line the outer part of the cervix. This condition is NOT cancer but has potential to progress into cancer. Low grade SIL includes mild dysplasia and changes linked to human papillomavirus. Some types of these viruses have been linked to cancer of the cervix. This condition has a lower chance of progressing to cancer if not treated and are more likely to go away on their own. High grade SIL includes moderate and severe dysplasia and very early “precancer”. This condition has a higher likelihood of progressing to cancer over time if not treated.
BORDERLINE: The cells appeared slightly funny-looking and are reported as “atypical”. The Pap smear will report Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance which is referred to as (ASCUS): Squamous cells are simply those that line the outer part of the cervix. The term undetermined significance means the examiner is not sure why the cells look abnormal. It may be due to a minor vaginal infection or inflammation but it may be due to dysplasia.
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