What are the five categories of Pap smear abnormalities?

There are five main categories of abnormal Pap smear results within the Bethesda system:
  • Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). …
  • Squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). …
  • Atypical squamous cells that may or may not be HSIL (ASC-H). …
  • Atypical glandular cells (AGC). …
  • Cancer.

What are the types of abnormal Pap smears?

What are the different types of abnormal Pap test results?
  • Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) …
  • Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) …
  • High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) …
  • Atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H) …
  • Atypical glandular cells (AGC)

What is a Class 5 pap smear?

Class 5 is cancer that has started to grow deeper into the cervix. This stage of cancer can spread to other parts of the body. The new classification system replaces the traditional classes with terms describing the microscopic changes in cervical cells.

What is the most common abnormal Pap smear?

ASC-US—This means that changes in the cervical cells have been found. The changes are almost always a sign of an HPV infection. ASC-US is the most common abnormal Pap test result. ASC-US stands for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance.

What is abnormal Pap smear result?

Abnormal. An abnormal result means that cell changes were found on your cervix. This usually does not mean that you have cervical cancer. Abnormal changes on your cervix are likely caused by HPV. The changes may be minor (low-grade) or serious (high-grade).

Which is worse LSIL or ASCUS?

ASCUS (Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance). This means your Pap smear results are borderline, between normal and abnormal. … This means your Pap smear results are borderline but may be more serious. LSIL (Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion).

What causes LSIL?

They are usually caused by infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and are found when a Pap test or biopsy is done. LSILs usually go away on their own without treatment, but sometimes they can become cancer and spread into nearby tissue. LSIL is sometimes called mild dysplasia.

What is a Class 4 Pap smear?

However, more frequent Pap smears will be needed. In some instances of large lesions or persistent changes, treatment will be recommended. 4. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (previously Class III, moderate to severe and Class IV): This classification is indicative of a high degree of precancerous change.

What does cin3 mean?

CIN 3. CIN 3 means the full thickness of the cervical surface layer is affected by abnormal cells. CIN 3 is also called carcinoma-in-situ. This sounds like cancer, but CIN 3 is not cervical cancer. Cancer develops when the deeper layers of the cervix are affected by abnormal cells.

How common is LSIL?

The prevalence of LSIL among young women has also been shown to fluctuate between 2.5% and 7.7%. In addition, in women with high-risk HPV infection, LSIL regresses more slowly (mean 13.8 months) and progresses more quickly (mean time to HSIL or worse 73.3 months) than in women with other HPV genotypes.

What causes ASCUS with negative HPV?

The most common causes of ASCUS Pap smear results are noncancerous (benign) conditions, such as infections or inflammation. These conditions can cause cervical cells to appear abnormal. Eventually, however, most cells return to a normal appearance with time.

What percentage of Pap smears come back abnormal?

Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it’s important to follow up to make sure.


What causes atypical glandular cells?

There are many reasons why glandular cells can become atypical including cancer, infection, inflammation, pregnancy, or previous radiation to the cervix or endometrium.

What are abnormal cells?

Abnormal cells are either low grade or high grade. Low-grade cells are only slightly abnormal. High-grade cells look less like normal cells and may develop into cancer. The existence of abnormal cells is known as cervical dysplasia. The abnormal cells are sometimes called carcinoma in situ or precancer.

What are the symptoms of abnormal cervical cells?

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
  • Abnormal bleeding, such as. Bleeding between regular menstrual periods. Bleeding after sexual intercourse. …
  • Pelvic pain not related to your menstrual cycle.
  • Heavy or unusual discharge that may be watery, thick, and possibly have a foul odor.
  • Increased urinary frequency.
  • Pain during urination.

What are atypical cells?

Atypical cells mean that the cells are not entirely normal. Normal cells go through quite a few changes before they become cancerous. The cells may not necessarily become cancer cells. The cells might not change further.