Atypical Cell Pap Smear

The presence of atypical cell Pap smear may be due to different factors. It is not uncommon that the results of Pap smear become normal within six or eight months after atypical cells have been detected. Atypical changes in the cervical cells may develop because of an inflammation caused by viruses or bacteria. Cellular atypia may disappear after a specific treatment for the present infection is realized. Hormonal changes in menopausal women may also cause cellular abnormalities in the cervical tissues.

 An atypical cell Pap smear can be linked with various diseases. Pap smear is a test to reveal cervical cellular changes that are associated with an increased risk for cancer of the cervix. Moreover, Pap smear allows to analyze cervical tissue status and detect infectious diseases of the cervix and vagina. If atypical cells are detected, it may be required to perform a more accurate examination of the cervix through such procedures as colposcopy and biopsy.

It is possible that Pap smear provides a false negative or false positive result. False results may be obtained if the doctor mistakenly classified normal sample as an atypical cell Pap smear (false positive result), or missed some abnormal cells during the examination of the sample (false negative result). Sexual contact or vaginal use of medication before Pap smear may increase the probability of false results since they cause changes in the cervical cells.

One more reason for an atypical cell Pap smear is the presence of dysplasia of the cervix. This condition is characterized by abnormal transformations in the cervical tissue and, if not treated during a long period, it can degenerate into cancerous lesion. To diagnose cervical dysplasia it is required to perform colposcopy and biopsy in order to better evaluate the size and depth of abnormal changes in the tissue.

The amount of cellular transformations determines the grade of dysplasia which, based on the risk of cancer, may be low grade or high grade. Low grade dysplasia tends to go away on its own, without any specific treatment. The diagnosis of a high grade dysplasia is, in general, the indication for a surgical treatment of lesions since the risk of the cancer is high. In all cases of an atypical cell Pap smear women should be very attentive to the recommendations of health care providers.