What does an annual pap smear test for. How often should you get a pap smear. Who needs to get pap smears and when should they start. What is the difference between a pap smear and an annual exam. How to prepare for a pap smear and what to expect during the procedure.

Understanding the Purpose and Importance of Pap Smears

A Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, is a crucial screening tool for detecting cervical cancer and other abnormalities in the cervix. This simple yet effective procedure has been instrumental in reducing cervical cancer rates worldwide by catching potential issues early on.

The primary purpose of a Pap smear is to screen for the effects of the human papillomavirus (HPV) on cervical cells. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical cancer if left undetected and untreated. By identifying abnormal cell changes early, healthcare providers can intervene before cancer develops or progresses.

What exactly does a Pap smear test for?

A Pap smear specifically tests for:

• Precancerous changes in cervical cells
• Early signs of cervical cancer
• Abnormalities caused by HPV infection
• Other cellular changes that may require further investigation

It’s important to note that a standard Pap smear does not test for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy. However, these tests can often be performed during the same visit if requested or deemed necessary by your healthcare provider.

The Difference Between a Pap Smear and an Annual Exam

Many people confuse a Pap smear with an annual gynecological exam, but they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference can help you better manage your health and know what to expect during your healthcare visits.

What is an annual exam?

An annual exam, also known as a well-woman visit, is a comprehensive check-up that focuses on overall health and preventive care. During this visit, your healthcare provider will:

• Review your medical history
• Check your weight and blood pressure
• Perform a physical exam, which may include a clinical breast exam
• Discuss family planning, STI prevention, and general health concerns
• Address any specific health issues or questions you may have

How does a Pap smear differ from an annual exam?

While a Pap smear may be part of an annual exam, it is a specific screening test focused solely on detecting abnormalities in cervical cells. The main differences are:

1. Frequency: Annual exams are recommended yearly, while Pap smears are typically needed every 3-5 years, depending on age and risk factors.
2. Scope: Annual exams cover overall health, while Pap smears specifically screen for cervical abnormalities.
3. Procedure: A Pap smear involves collecting cells from the cervix, while an annual exam may or may not include a pelvic examination.

Who Needs Pap Smears and When to Start

Determining when to start getting Pap smears and how often to have them are important aspects of maintaining good reproductive health. Guidelines have evolved over the years based on research and understanding of cervical cancer development.

When should you start getting Pap smears?

Current recommendations state that cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21. This guideline is based on the low incidence of cervical cancer in younger individuals and the potential for adverse effects associated with follow-up procedures for abnormal results in this age group.

Who needs to get Pap smears?

Generally, anyone with a cervix who has ever been sexually active should get regular Pap smears. This includes:

• Women
• Transgender men who have not had a total hysterectomy
• Non-binary individuals with a cervix

It’s important to note that sexual activity includes any form of genital contact, not just penetrative intercourse.

Frequency of Pap Smears: How Often Should You Get Tested?

The frequency of Pap smears can vary depending on your age, health history, and previous test results. Understanding the recommended screening intervals can help you stay on top of your cervical health.

What are the current guidelines for Pap smear frequency?

The general guidelines for Pap smear frequency are:

• Ages 21-29: Every 3 years
• Ages 30-65: Every 3 years with a Pap test alone, or every 5 years if combined with an HPV test (co-testing)
• Over 65: May be able to stop screening if previous tests have been consistently normal

However, these are general guidelines, and your healthcare provider may recommend a different schedule based on your individual risk factors and health history.

Can you have a Pap smear too often?

While it might seem that more frequent screening would be beneficial, having Pap smears too often can actually have drawbacks. Overscreening can lead to unnecessary procedures and anxiety due to false-positive results. It’s important to follow the recommended guidelines unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.

Preparing for Your Pap Smear: What You Need to Know

Proper preparation can help ensure the accuracy of your Pap smear results and make the experience more comfortable. Here are some key points to consider when preparing for your appointment.

How should you prepare for a Pap smear?

To prepare for your Pap smear:

1. Schedule your appointment when you’re not menstruating. Light bleeding is okay, but heavy flow can affect the results.
2. Avoid sexual intercourse, douching, or using vaginal products for 24-48 hours before the test.
3. Don’t use tampons for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
4. Wear comfortable clothing that’s easy to remove.
5. Try to relax and take deep breaths during the procedure.

Is there anything you should avoid before a Pap smear?

Yes, there are several things you should avoid before your Pap smear:

• Douching
• Using vaginal medications, lubricants, or creams
• Having sexual intercourse
• Using tampons

These activities can interfere with the test results by washing away or obscuring abnormal cells.

The Pap Smear Procedure: What to Expect During Your Appointment

Understanding what happens during a Pap smear can help alleviate anxiety and ensure you’re prepared for the procedure. While it may feel uncomfortable, the test is usually quick and should not be painful.

What happens during a Pap smear?

The Pap smear procedure typically involves the following steps:

1. You’ll be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on an exam table with your feet in stirrups.
2. The healthcare provider will insert a speculum into your vagina to gently open it and visualize the cervix.
3. Using a small brush or spatula, the provider will collect cells from the surface of the cervix.
4. The collected cells are placed in a liquid preservative and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
5. The speculum is removed, and the procedure is complete.

The entire process usually takes just a few minutes.

Does a Pap smear hurt?

While a Pap smear shouldn’t be painful, some people may experience discomfort or a feeling of pressure during the procedure. If you experience pain, it’s important to communicate this to your healthcare provider, as they may be able to adjust their technique or the size of the speculum to make you more comfortable.

Understanding Pap Smear Results and Follow-Up Care

After your Pap smear, the collected cells are analyzed in a laboratory. Understanding your results and what they mean is crucial for maintaining your cervical health.

How long does it take to get Pap smear results?

Typically, Pap smear results are available within 1-3 weeks after your appointment. Your healthcare provider will contact you with the results and any necessary follow-up instructions.

What do Pap smear results mean?

Pap smear results generally fall into two categories:

• Normal (negative): No cell changes were observed.
• Abnormal (positive): Cell changes were detected and may require further investigation.

If your results are abnormal, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Many abnormal results are due to minor cell changes that often resolve on their own. Your healthcare provider will discuss the specific findings and recommend appropriate next steps, which may include repeat testing or further diagnostic procedures.

The Role of HPV Testing in Cervical Cancer Screening

In recent years, HPV testing has become an important component of cervical cancer screening, often used in conjunction with or as an alternative to traditional Pap smears.

What is HPV testing and how does it differ from a Pap smear?

HPV testing specifically looks for the presence of high-risk types of human papillomavirus in cervical cells. Unlike a Pap smear, which detects abnormal cell changes, an HPV test identifies the presence of the virus that can cause these changes. The test can be done using the same sample collected for a Pap smear or as a standalone test.

When is HPV testing recommended?

Current guidelines recommend:

• For women aged 30-65, HPV testing can be done alone every 5 years, or in combination with a Pap smear (co-testing) every 5 years.
• For women under 30, HPV testing is not routinely recommended as HPV infections are common in this age group and often clear on their own.

Your healthcare provider can help determine the most appropriate screening strategy based on your age and risk factors.

The Importance of Regular Screening and Health Maintenance

Regular cervical cancer screening, whether through Pap smears, HPV testing, or a combination of both, is a crucial aspect of preventive healthcare for individuals with a cervix. These screenings have dramatically reduced cervical cancer rates by catching potential issues early when they are most treatable.

Why is regular screening so important?

Regular screening is vital because:

• Cervical cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages
• Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes
• It can detect precancerous changes before they develop into cancer
• It provides peace of mind and helps maintain overall reproductive health

How can you stay on top of your cervical health?

To maintain good cervical health:

1. Follow recommended screening guidelines for your age group
2. Schedule and attend regular check-ups with your healthcare provider
3. Get vaccinated against HPV if eligible
4. Practice safe sex to reduce your risk of HPV infection
5. Be aware of any unusual symptoms and report them to your healthcare provider promptly

By staying informed and proactive about your health, you can significantly reduce your risk of cervical cancer and maintain optimal reproductive health throughout your life.

Annual Exam and Pap Smear

What is an Annual Exam?

A yearly provider visit is suggested for all patients to discuss health history and gynecology care needs. Regular visits with your provider encourage and promote healthy living and the prevention of common illnesses. Yearly visits to review personal and family risk factors provide the opportunity to discuss future family planning, STI prevention, and general health check-ins. The visit will likely include a weight and blood pressure check. Based on your health needs the visit may or may not include a physical exam, clinical breast exam, pelvic exam, Pap smear, or various tests for sexually transmitted infections.

Who gets annual exams and when should they start?

Anyone who can use Campus Health can schedule an annual exam. Start anytime!

How often should I come to Campus Health for an annual exam?

Campus Health recommends you have an annual exam every year. This allows you and your provider to manage your health care needs more effectively.

What is the difference between a Pap smear and an annual exam?

The annual exam is done to check your overall physical health. The Pap smear screens for cervical cancer. A Pap smear may be offered as part of an annual exam. If you have a cervix and have ever been sexually active in any way, you need regular pap smears. 

When do I need to start getting Pap smears?

Cervical cancer screening should begin at the age of 21 years.  This is based on the very low incidence of cancer and the potential for adverse effects associated with follow-up visits.

If your Pap smear is normal, you may not need to have another Pap smear for 3 to 5 years, depending on your age and the results of other recommended tests. Historically the pap smear has been an analysis of cells only, but new technology detects the genetic material of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Depending on your age, an added test to detect HPV may be done. If you are 30 or older, you may have a Pap test and an HPV test. If both these tests are negative, then you may go 5 years in between pap smears.

Does a pap smear hurt?

A Pap smear should only take a few minutes. Some parts of the exam may be uncomfortable, but they should not be painful. If it hurts, be sure to tell your health care provider, who may be able to adjust things to help you be more comfortable.

This exam is for you, so don’t be afraid to speak up and do whatever helps you relax. Some patients find that breathing slowly and deeply while relaxing their abdomen helps. Others like to listen to their music on a personal music device during the exam. Some want the health care provider to describe each step. Be sure to do and communicate what you think will help you the most.

How much does the visit cost?

The student health fee covers visits to Campus Health, so an annual exam visit is provided at no further cost to you. Procedures and lab tests that are sometimes offered during the visit may be charged to your insurance; the out-of-pocket cost to you for these specific services varies based on your insurance plan.

Are sexually transmitted infection tests or a pregnancy test included in a Pap smear exam?

A Pap smear screens for the effects of HPV (human papillomavirus) in cervical cells. Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy is not always done, however, STI testing and pregnancy tests can be included in the visit when desired or indicated.

FYI: yearly Chlamydia screening is recommended for sexually active patients aged 16-24.

How long does it take to get a Pap smear?

The actual Pap smear should take only a few minutes. An entire annual exam – including health history, questions, and any other exams done during your visit (such as breast cancer screening, STI tests, or a bi-manual exam) means the overall visit will likely take about 30 minutes.

How do I prepare myself for a Pap smear and/or annual exam?

A small bit of planning ahead can help.

• If you are getting a Pap smear, nothing should be in your vagina for 24 hours before your appointment (e.g. no sexual intercourse, douche, vaginal lubricants, creams or medications, no tampons). If you have heavy bleeding during your monthly period, please call to reschedule your appointment. Light bleeding is not a problem.
• Complete your medical history form ahead of time and bring it to your appointment. 
• Make a list of any questions you may have.
• Bring a friend if that would make you more comfortable.

Who will be collecting my Pap smear?

Trained medical providers in Gynecology or Primary Care Clinics are available to provide care.  Discuss with the appointment schedulers whether you have a preference in the gender identity of your provider.

How do I schedule an annual exam and/or Pap smear?

You can schedule an annual exam by making an appointment with a primary care or gynecology provider.  Schedule online or call.

Pap Smear Test | How Much Does a Pap Smear Cost?

In This Section

• Cervical Cancer

• How do I know if I have cervical cancer?

• What’s a Pap test?

• What’s an HPV test?

• What is a colposcopy?

• What happens after my colposcopy?

• What is cryotherapy?

• What happens after cryotherapy?

• What’s LEEP?

• What happens after LEEP?

• What if I’m diagnosed with cervical cancer?

Pap tests find abnormal cell changes in your cervix. How often you get a Pap test depends on your age, medical history, and the results of your last Pap or HPV tests.

What happens during a Pap test?

Pap tests, sometimes called Pap smears, are very important tests for finding abnormal cells on your cervix that could lead to cervical cancer. Pap tests find cell changes caused by HPV, but they don’t detect HPV itself.

Pap tests may be part of your regular check up, pelvic exam or well-woman exam. During a Pap test, your doctor or nurse puts a metal or plastic speculum into your vagina. The speculum opens up to separate the walls of your vagina so that they can get to your cervix. Then they use a small sampler — a tiny spatula or brush — to gently collect cells from your cervix. The cells are sent to a lab to be tested.

Pap tests only take a few minutes. They shouldn’t hurt, but you might feel some discomfort or pressure when your doctor or nurse opens the speculum inside you. You might also feel a light scratching when they take cells from your cervix.

Do I need a Pap test?

How often you get tested depends on your age, medical history, and the results of your last Pap or HPV tests. In general:

• If you’re 21–24 years old: you can choose to get a Pap test every 3 years, or you can wait until you’re 25 years old to start getting tested.

• If you’re 25–65 years old: get an HPV test every 5 years, or a Pap test and HPV test together (co-testing) every 5 years. In some places where HPV tests are not as available, you may get only a Pap test every 3 years.

• If you’re older than 65: you may not need HPV/Pap tests anymore.

You may need to get tested more often if you’ve had problems with your cervix before, have a weak immune system, or if your mother took a medicine called DES while she was pregnant with you. Your doctor or nurse will tell you which tests you need and how often you should get them.

What if I have an abnormal Pap test?

If your Pap test results are abnormal, don’t panic. It’s pretty common to have unclear or abnormal Pap test results. Most of the time, it doesn’t mean that you have cervical cancer.

• An unclear test result means that your cervical cells look like they could be abnormal. But it isn’t clear if it’s related to HPV or something else. Unclear results are also called equivocal, inconclusive, or ASC-US.

• An abnormal Pap test result means that there are abnormal cell changes on your cervix. This doesn’t mean that you definitely have cervical cancer. The changes may be minor (low-grade) or serious (high-grade). The more serious changes are often called precancerous because they aren’t cancer yet but can turn into it over time.

If you have an unclear or abnormal Pap test result, you made need further tests and/or treatment including:

• Another Pap test

• An HPV test: a test that looks for high-risk types of the virus that can cause precancerous cells

• A colposcopy: a special exam to look more closely at your cervix to see if there are precancerous cells.

If your doctor finds abnormal cells during your colposcopy, you’ll probably need treatment. Common treatments include cryotherapy and LEEP.

Where can I go for a Pap test?

You can get a Pap test at your doctor or nurse’s office, a community health clinic, the health department, or your local Planned Parenthood health center.

More questions from patients:

What does a negative Pap test result mean? And what does a  positive Pap test result mean?

Pap tests find abnormal cell changes in your cervix. Having a negative Pap test means that you don’t have abnormal cell changes in your cervix. Having a positive Pap test means that you do have abnormal cells in your cervix and your nurse or doctor may recommend a follow-up Pap test, a HPV test, or a colposcopy.

Can you get a pap test while you’re on your period?

You can get a Pap test during your period. Your nurse or doctor may suggest scheduling the test for a time when you aren’t expecting your period because it can interfere with the results if you’re having any unexpected discharge. You’ll still be able to have your test even if you are on your period though — no matter how light or heavy your flow is.

Is a Pap test part of routine prenatal care?

Your nurse or doctor will give you an HPV and/or Pap test at your first prenatal appointment if you’re due for one.

Was this page helpful?

• Yes

• No

Help us improve – how could this information be more helpful?

How did this information help you?

Please answer below.

Are you human? (Sorry, we have to ask!)

Please don’t check this box if you are a human.

You’re the best! Thanks for your feedback.

Thanks for your feedback.

Back to top

We couldn’t access your location, please search for a location.

Zip, City, or State

Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code or city or state.

Please fill out this field.

Service
All Services
Abortion

Abortion Referrals

Birth Control

COVID-19 Vaccine

HIV Services

Men’s Health Care

Mental Health

Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)

Pregnancy Testing & Services

Primary Care

STD Testing, Treatment & Vaccines

Transgender Hormone Therapy

Women’s Health Care

Filter By
All
Telehealth
In-person

Please enter your age and the first day of your last period for more accurate abortion options. Your information is private and anonymous.

AGE

This field is required.

Or call
1-800-230-7526

Cytological examination of smears (scrapings) from the surface of the cervix (external uterine os) and cervical canal for atypia

Analysis that allows you to detect changes in the epithelium of the ecto- and endocervix and diagnose early precancerous diseases and cervical cancer.

Russian synonyms

Oncocytology smear.

Synonyms English

Cervical Smear; Cervical Oncocytology.

Research method

Cytological method.

What biomaterial can be used for research?

Smear from the outer surface of the cervix, swab from the inner surface of the cervix (from the cervical canal).

How to properly prepare for an examination?

• The procedure for taking a urogenital smear is recommended before menstruation or 2-3 days after it ends.

General information about the study

Cervical cancer (CC) is the 3rd most common malignant tumor in women (after breast and colon cancer). It occurs in 15-25 out of 100,000 women. Neoplasms of the cervix occur mainly in middle-aged women (35-55 years), are rarely diagnosed in women under 20 years of age, and in 20% of cases are detected in women over 65 years of age.

The 5-year survival rate for localized (local, in situ) cervical cancer is 88%, while the survival rate for advanced cancer does not exceed 13%.

Risk factors for cervical cancer include the following: human papillomavirus infection (oncogenic serotypes HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, HPV33, HPV45, etc.), smoking, chlamydial or herpetic infection, chronic inflammatory gynecological diseases, long-term use of contraceptives, several births, cases of cervical cancer in the family, early onset of sexual activity, frequent change of sexual partners, insufficient dietary intake of vitamins A and C, immunodeficiencies and HIV infection. In many countries of the world there are special preventive screening programs to exclude cervical cancer. Screening women aged 25-64 years at 5-year intervals could result in an 84% reduction in mortality, and screening 25-63-year-olds at 3-year intervals could result in a 9% reduction in mortality.0%. The risk of developing invasive cancer is 5 to 10 times higher in women who have never been screened.

It is recommended to take a smear for oncocytology every year during a routine examination by a gynecologist for women who are sexually active. According to the latest recommendations of the Anti-Cancer Society of Russia, all women over 25 years of age should be screened (pre-symptomatic) for cervical cancer using a cytology smear at least every 3-5 years.

Unlike the Pap test, conventional cytology and atypia tests do not use fixatives and use simpler stains. A scraping obtained using a special cytobrush from the endocervix (cervical canal epithelium) and exocervix (epithelium of the external uterine os) is examined. Material from the transformation zone should get into the smear, since about 90% of neoplastic conditions originate from the junction of the squamous and columnar epithelium, and only 10% from the columnar. When performing a smear for oncocytology, signs of infection, pathology of the endocervix and endometrium can also be detected. The sensitivity of a cytological examination for atypia is 66-83%, the specificity is 60-85%.

Screening and early diagnosis of precancerous conditions and early stages of cervical cancer by examining smear cytology allows for timely effective treatment, preventing disability and even death.

What is research used for?

• For screening and diagnosis of cervical precancerous lesions.
• For screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer.

When is the test ordered?

• With regular preventive examination of all women over 25 years of age (recommended to take an analysis annually).
• When examining girls under 25 who are sexually active.

What do the results mean?

I. Material quantity.

• Complete (adequate) material – a good quality smear containing a sufficient number of appropriate cell types.
• The material is insufficiently complete (insufficiently adequate) – the material does not contain endocervix cells and / or metaplastic cells, there are not enough squamous epithelial cells or the cellular composition is poor.
• The material is defective (inadequate) – it is impossible to judge the presence or absence of pathological changes in the cervix from the material.

II. Interpretation of the results (interpretation of the smear for oncocytology).

1. Cytogram without features – epithelial cells are within the normal range, the cytogram corresponds to age, normal.
2. Inflammatory changes in the epithelium – an increased number of leukocytes, with infection – a significant number of cocci, rods. It is possible to detect infectious agents (indicating the pathogen), for example Trichomonas, yeast.
3. Suspicion of malignancy.
4. Isolated malignant cells.
5. A large number of malignant cells, a malignant neoplasm.

If minimal changes are detected or if malignancy is suspected, screening for oncogenic human papillomavirus serotypes is recommended.

What can influence the result?

False-positive results are possible in girls younger than 20 years due to changes in the epithelium against the background of transient hormonal disorders.

Important notes

• In acute infection, it is desirable to obtain material for examination and identification of the etiological agent; after treatment, but not earlier than 2 months later, cytological control is necessary.
• There is a possibility of a negative test result in case of changes in the epithelium in the cervix, therefore it is important to undergo regular re-examinations and, if the material is taken inadequately, repeat the test.

Also recommended

• Cytological examination of smears (scrapings) from the surface of the cervix (external uterine os) and cervical canal – Papanicolaou stain (Pap test)
• Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA)
• Human Papillomavirus of high carcinogenic risk (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59), DNA genotyping [real-time PCR]
• Human Papillomavirus high carcinogenic risk (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 types), DNA quantitation, no typing [real-time PCR]

Who orders the examination?

Gynecologist, oncologist.

Literature

• Arbyn M. et al. (2010). “European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Cervical Cancer Screening. Second Edition – Summary Document”. Annals of Oncology 21(3): 448–458.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “ACOG Committee Opinion No. 483: Primary and Preventive Care: Periodic Assessments,” 2011, Obstet Gynecol, 2011, 117(4):1008-15. PubMed 21422880.
• Novik V. I. Screening for cervical cancer// Practical Oncology. T. 11, No. 2. – 2010. – p. 66-73.

Cytological examination of a smear (scraping) from the dome of the vagina (in the absence of the cervix)

Cytological examination, which allows you to identify atypical cells in the vaginal mucosa and diagnose recurrence of cervical cancer.

Synonyms Russian

Cytology of smear from vaginal stump.

Synonyms English

Vaginal cuff cytology.

Research method

Cytological method.

What biomaterial can be used for research?

Vaginal dome swab.

How to properly prepare for an examination?

• No special training required.

General information about the study

Cervical cancer (CC) is the 3rd most common malignant tumor in women (after breast cancer and colon cancer). The incidence of invasive cervical cancer in the world is 15-25 per 100,000 women. Neoplasms of the cervix occur mainly in middle age (35-55 years), are rarely diagnosed in women under 20 years of age and in 20% of cases are detected after 65 years of age.

The 5-year survival rate for localized (local, in situ) cervical cancer is 88%, while the survival rate for advanced cancer does not exceed 13%.

Risk factors for cervical cancer include human papillomavirus infection (oncogenic serotypes HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-31, HPV-33, HPV-45, etc.), smoking, chlamydial or herpetic infection, chronic inflammatory gynecological diseases, long-term use of contraceptives, multiple births, cases of cervical cancer in the family, early onset of sexual activity, frequent change of sexual partners, insufficient intake of vitamins A and C from food, immunodeficiencies and HIV infection.

The method of treatment depends on the prevalence of the process, the type of tumor, the location of the neoplasm on the cervix, the age of the woman. In the early stages of cancer (in situ), cryosurgery, laser surgery, wedge-shaped removal of part of the cervix are used. When the malignant process spreads beyond the epithelium of the cervix, more extensive operations are performed – hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), in some cases in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

After surgical removal of the cervix, there is a chance that tumor cells will remain and are capable of further growth. In this regard, all women who have undergone surgery (hysterectomy or extirpation of the uterus) to remove cervical neoplasms should undergo regular cytological monitoring for the timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer (or its recurrence).

What is research used for?

• For cytological monitoring of the effectiveness of the treatment of uterine / cervical cancer.
• For the diagnosis of recurrence of neoplasms of the pelvic organs.

When is the test ordered?

• When monitoring women after removal of the cervix due to neoplasms annually, 3 years in a row, then with three negative results every 2 years.

What do the results mean?

I Amount of material

• Complete material (adequate) – a good quality smear containing a sufficient amount of the appropriate cell types is considered a complete material.
• Material insufficiently complete (insufficiently adequate) – meager cellular composition.
• The material is defective (inadequate) – it is impossible to judge the presence or absence of pathological changes from the material.

II Interpretation of results based on the presence or absence of atypical cells.

A large number of white blood cells is a sign of inflammation.

If malignancy is suspected, a thorough follow-up examination is necessary.

Also recommended

• Cytological examination of smears (scrapings) from the surface of the cervix (external uterine os) and cervical canal for atypia
• Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA)
• Human Papillomavirus of high carcinogenic risk (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59), DNA genotyping [real-time PCR]
• Human Papillomavirus of high carcinogenic risk (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59), DNA quantification, no typing [real-time PCR]
• CA 125 II
• Complete blood count (without leukocyte formula and ESR)
• Leukocyte formula
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Who orders the examination?

Gynecologist, oncogynecologist.