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Cervical cancer screening should begin approximately 3 years after the onset of intercourse or no later
than the age of 21 and occur annually thereafter for adolescents. Almost all abnormal Pap smears are
associated with exposure to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Risk Factors for Human Papillomavirus include multiple sexual partners, male partner with multiple sexual
partners, history of other sexually transmitted diseases, and early age of first intercourse.
PAP Classification
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ASC – Atypical Squamous Cells
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ASCUS – Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance
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ASC-H – Cannot exclude HSIL (high grade lesion)
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LGSIL – Low-grade Squamous intraepithelial lesions
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Human Papillomavirus, mild dysplasia, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)I
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HSIL – High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions
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Moderate and severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, CIN 2 and 3
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Glandular cell
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Atypical glandular cells (AGU)
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Atypical glandular cells, favor neoplastic
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Endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)
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Adenocarcinoma
The natural history of CIN (dysplasia) is linked to the presence of high-risk HPV. HPV is
extremely common in the general population. Most women clear the virus or suppress it over
time, with clearance higher in younger women. The small percentage of women who do not clear
the virus are at risk for persistence or progression of cervical dysplasia. Smoking doubles
the risk of progression.
The goal of PAP testing is the prevention of invasive cervical cancer. It is a screening test.
If a PAP result is abnormal further evaluation and or procedures may be required.
An ASCUS pap may require further testing for the presence high risk HPV. If testing is negative
for high risk HPV, routine screening is recommended.
Colposcopy is indicated for the following Pap results:
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ASCUS with positive high risk HPV
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CIN 1, 2, and 3
Colposcopy is an office procedure where the cervix is visualized through a microscope after
application of vinegar. Biopsy (removal of a small piece of cervical tissue) may be performed
to confirm the degree of dysplasia.
Treatment recommendations are made based on the findings of the colposcopy and may include 1)
follow up PAP at a closer interval (4 – 6 months) or 2) treatment of the abnormal area with
freezing (cryosurgery), laser or LEEP (Loop electrosurgical excision procedure), all of which
may be performed as office procedures depending on your individual findings. Rarely a more
extensive biopsy of the cervix is required, a conization, and is performed as an outpatient
surgery under anesthesia.
Following treatment or evaluation of an abnormal PAP close follow up and repeat PAP at closer
intervals (4 – 6 months) is often recommended.
More information is available at the following sites:
www.acog.org/acm
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/HPV
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hpv.html
www.ashastd.org/hpv/hpv_overview.cfm
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