| What Are Abnormal Pap Test Results? |
A Pap test is a scraping of cells from the surface and canal of the cervix. These cells are examined under a microscope for signs of infection or early changes that might indicate cancer.
An abnormal Pap test can mean that there are harmless cell changes due to infection, or that there are precancerous changes which if ignored may become cancer. Early treatment of precancerous growths usually due to the wart virus, HPV (human papilloma virus) can prevent cancer from developing. If suspicious cells are found then a more thorough examination of your cervix using a colposcope which magnifies the surface is recommended. Your clinician may obtain small tissue samples for the pathologist to study.
A Pap test also may detect infections such as bacteria, yeast, or viruses. One kind of sexually transmitted virus is important to detect because of its link to cervical cancer. This virus is the human papilloma virus (HPV) and also is the cause of genital warts.
Pap test results are divided into six major groups:
A finding of inflammation on a Pap test sometimes means that there is a viral or bacterial infection of the cervix. Sometimes inflammation is present on Pap test because of a cervical injury and later repair and no infection can be found.
Since a cervical infection may be present, it is suggested that you return to Planned Parenthood for an examination of your cervix. If the examination or tests reveals the presence of infection, you will be treated. If the tests are negative, no further treatment will be necessary.
The clinical staff at Planned Parenthood is happy to answer any questions that you have about Pap tests or cervical problems.
[top of page]
| Atypical Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS) |
ASCUS is a Pap test result that is in-between normal and abnormal. It is frequently the result of an injury to the cervix from an infection or other cause and in many cases the abnormality goes away without any treatment. A small percentage of women with ASCUS on Pap test will actually have Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), which is a precancerous condition. Since there is no way to tell from an ASCUS Pap test who has a serious abnormality, you should have your Pap test repeated in 4-6 months. If that Pap test is normal, it should be repeated every 6 months for another two times. If any of the repeat Pap tests are abnormal, you will be advised to have a special evaluation called a colposcopy (a procedure which allows your clinician to visualize your cervix under magnification). If all your repeat Pap tests are normal, you can return to Pap tests at yearly intervals.
The clinical staff at Planned Parenthood is happy to answer any questions that you have about Pap tests or cervical problems.
[top of page]
| Atypical Glandular Cells of Undetermined Significance (AGCUS) |
AGCUS is a Pap test finding that shows abnormal glandular cells. It is similar to ASCUS in that the abnormality may or may not be significant. Because glandular cells are found in the canal of the cervix, abnormalities are more difficult to diagnose. Therefore, it is considered necessary to evaluate the condition further by a procedure called colposcopy (visualization of your cervix under magnification), without waiting.
The clinical staff at Planned Parenthood is happy to answer any questions that you have about Pap tests or cervical problems.
[top of page]
| Low Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (Low grade SIL) |
The cells in the cervix show an abnormality which frequently means you have a viral condition called Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). CIN is sometimes called Dysplasia of the cervix. Mild forms of CIN often go away without treatment. More severe forms are considered pre-cancerous and can even progress to cancer if untreated. Occasionally, if a Pap test is reported as Low Grade SIL, the abnormalities are caused by simple problems like infection or healing from a minor injury or, rarely, there is no problem at all. To find out which form of CIN you have or if you even have a significant abnormality, you will be advised to have a colposcopy (a procedure that allows your clinician to visualize your cervix under magnification).
The clinical staff at Planned Parenthood is happy to answer any questions that you have about Pap tests or cervical problems.
[top of page]
| High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (High Grade SIL) |
The cells in the cervix show an abnormality which usually means you have a more severe form of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), a precancerous condition which sometimes can progress to cancer if untreated. Rarely you may even have an actual cancer.
If your Pap test shows High Grade SIL, you should be evaluated by a procedure called colposcopy. This technique allows the clinician to examine the cervix with a magnifying telescope, which helps to show where the areas of abnormality are located. It is done as an office procedure and takes about ½ hour. During colposcopy, the clinician usually will perform a biopsy, in which a small amount of tissue is taken from the cervix and sent to a lab to be evaluated by a pathologist. A biopsy is the only way to establish the diagnosis suggested by the Pap test.
The clinical staff at Planned Parenthood is happy to answer any questions that you have about Pap tests or cervical problems.
[top of page]
Obvious cancer cells are found on the Pap test, indicating that it is very likely that cervical cancer is present. This must be evaluated and treated immediately. We will refer you to a specialist in cervical cancer.
The clinical staff at Planned Parenthood is happy to answer any questions that you have about Pap tests or cervical problems.
[top of page]
| 
