Deciphering the cytological examination of smears of the cervix. What does a cytology smear show? Interpretation of results Analyzes of smears from the cervix transcription
![Deciphering the cytological examination of smears of the cervix. What does a cytology smear show? Interpretation of results Analyzes of smears from the cervix transcription](https://i2.wp.com/yagotova.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/investigacion-e1427137258169.jpg)
Cytology is a diagnostic method that allows you to study the structure of cells and detect the presence of atypical elements that indicate the development of the disease. In gynecology, cytology analysis is a fairly common procedure.
The popularity of the method is easy to explain:
- firstly, a diagnostic smear for cytology does not require large expenses;
- secondly, a guarantee of a reliable result in the shortest possible time;
- thirdly, it helps to prevent the development of precancerous and cancerous conditions.
Cytology, a smear for cytology or oncocytology are all folk synonyms for the medical term - the Papanicolaou test.
Analysis for the study of cells in gynecology
The cervical canal or cervix is an anatomical site for sampling cellular material for research in gynecology. This anatomical site functions with two types of epithelium:
- stratified epithelium (covers the area of the vaginal part);
- columnar epithelium (lines the cervical canal at the junction of the cervix and uterus).
According to physiological norms, cellular elements are regularly updated. Taking a smear for cytology in these parts of the cervical canal helps to detect atypical cancer cells at an early stage of development.
Carrying out an analysis for cytology ensures the identification of initial changes in the cervical canal of the uterus, contributing to the development of cancer for a short time. Given this reason, a cytology test is a mandatory preventive method in gynecology.
Mass smearing in women belonging to different age groups and segments of the population shows a positive trend in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.
If your appointment list says a cytology smear, don't panic! This does not mean that you have cancer or that you are at increased risk of developing it. Not at all, a constant preventive examination and a smear for cytology, delays the possibility of developing terrible diseases.
Women under 65 should visit a gynecologist regularly and follow all prescribed requirements. After 65 years, the frequency of delivery of material for cytology is determined individually by the attending physician.
A Papanicolaou test is required in the following cases:
- All girls/women over the age of 18. In this case, the analysis is carried out without medical requirements, at will;
- Having a sexual life;
- Women over 30 years of age are required to undergo a mandatory medical test once a year;
- Pregnant. Cytology is carried out according to the rules 3 times during the period of gestation;
- Interruptions in the menstrual cycle, the presence of human papillomavirus and malignant tumors in close family members are the reasons for a cytology smear every six months.
Factors leading to gynecological diseases and a negative result of a cytology test:
- nicotine intake;
- Deficiency of vitamins A, C;
- Immunodeficiency states, not excluding HIV;
- Infection with chlamydial and herpetic infection;
- Long-term inflammatory foci of the genital organs of a woman;
- Isolation of the human papillomavirus in the blood;
- Systematic use of hormonal contraceptives;
- Beginning of sexual activity earlier than 16 years;
- Regular change of sexual partners;
- Several births in history.
Stages of preparation for the delivery of the analysis
It is difficult to predict what the doctor will prescribe at the next visit to his office. But if you are going to undergo a regular preventive examination by a gynecologist and pass a series of necessary tests, follow these simple recommendations:
- Forget about nighttime pleasures for a few days;
- Move all chemicals for intimate hygiene to a distant drawer, stop douching;
- Medicines, such as vaginal suppositories, sprays, etc., should not be used before taking a smear.
A smear for cytological examination is taken during a routine gynecological examination with mirrors. The duration of the entire procedure, including examination, is 15 minutes.
Initially, the doctor assesses the condition of the walls of the vagina and the visible part of the uterus after the introduction of the gynecological "mirror". After that, the gynecologist proceeds directly to the sampling of the epithelium of the cervical canal. This will require a probe, a special swab or brush. Although the procedure is short and unpleasant, try to relax, otherwise, due to muscle tension, discomfort will increase.
The resulting scraping is immediately sent to the laboratory for further study. Accurate results from the laboratory will arrive after 1 to 2 weeks.
The results will indicate the item "positive" or "negative". It is quite clear that if the decoding contains the item “negative” - this means the absolute health of the cervix, the absence of atypical cells.
The item “positive” is not a clinical diagnosis! Yes, such a result indicates the presence of atypical cells, but this does not mean at all that they will soon become cancerous or already are. An analysis with a positive result occurs in infectious diseases obtained sexually, and even in inflammatory processes.
The decoding additionally includes the stages of the identified process:
- stage 1 - the cytological picture is not changed;
- Stage 2 - there are minor deviations from the norm due to inflammation;
- stage 3 - single cells with abnormalities of cellular elements (presumably of a malignant nature);
- Stage 4 - single cells of an exclusively malignant nature;
- Stage 5 - malignant cells in large numbers (accurate diagnosis - cancer).
In the case of a positive result, regardless of the stage, additional studies will be prescribed, for example, a repeat cytology test with doubtful results, or a colposcopy.
General condition after taking material for cytology
Do not worry if within 5 days after taking a smear, a brownish-green discharge appears. This is a normal reaction of the body that does not require treatment. On such, not too joyful days, gynecologists advise using personal hygiene products.
To avoid pain and discomfort, take a week-long break from sexual activity.
Urgently consult a doctor if, after taking the material for analysis, the body temperature rises, there are sharp pains in the lower abdomen and bloody copious discharge.
Timely diagnosis of various gynecological diseases is an important component in their successful treatment.
Cytological analysis of cervical cells (“cervical cytology”), helps to detect a fairly common oncological disease in time - cervical cancer.
But the “usefulness” of this analysis does not end there, according to its results, one can judge the beginning changes in the structure of cells and their functioning, the presence of inflammation and infection.
When conducting a cytological analysis, tissue cells, their number, shape, relative position and other characteristics are examined. Of greatest importance is the ability to detect precancerous changes cervical cells.
Since such changes do not manifest themselves in any way in the general well-being of a woman, it is difficult to detect them in other ways. Material for research is taken by scraping a very small amount of tissue from the surface of the cervix with a spatula, spatula, spoon or probe.
The fence passes from three different parts of the cervix (arch, outer surface, canal). Before this, the uterus is cleaned of secretions with a cotton swab. The process is quick and painless during the examination of a woman on a gynecological chair. Usually, simultaneously with tissue scraping from the surface of the uterus, in the same way, but using a special brush, material is also obtained from the cervical canal.
The resulting material is applied in a thin layer on a glass slide. (make a smear) and this glass is sent to the laboratory for analysis. The study itself takes place under a microscope. In many clinics, cells are simultaneously examined by staining according to the Papanicolaou method (PAP test), by drying and in other ways.
An integrated approach allows you to get more accurate results. An assessment of the state of individual cells and a general assessment of the material makes it possible to diagnose a disease or say that a woman is healthy. Based on the results of the analysis, a cytological conclusion is drawn up. Usually the doctor receives it 1-2 weeks after the material is taken.
There is an assessment of the results of a cytological examination of cervical cells according to the already mentioned Papanicolaou technique.
This method allows distinguishing five states of cellular tissue (stages of disease development or classes):
![](https://i1.wp.com/jenskoe-zdorovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pap-300x228.jpg)
To date more popular interpretation of the results of cytological examination of cervical cells from the cervical canal by the Bethesda method.
This method reveals the presence of various changes in the cell nucleus (dyskaryosis).
Depending on the number of cells dyskaryosis and their location, one or another diagnosis can be made.
Cytology of the cervix in this interpretation allows you to determine the following conditions:
- No pathological changes
- Various atypical cell conditions, including cervical dysplasia (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia)
- Carcinoma (cancer) of the cervix.
These states are denoted by Latin letters. To decipher them and understand what is hidden behind the combinations of Latin letters in the analysis results, the table below will help.
The most common are analyzes with the designation CIN 1, 2 or 3
.
First degree dysplasia suggests the presence of dyskaryosis in single, mature cells located scattered or in small clusters among normal cells.
Dysplasia of the second degree- there are more pathological cells, pathologies are more diverse and are found not only in the surface layer, but also about half the thickness of the epithelial layer.
Third degree- pronounced changes, about 2/3 of the epithelial layer is affected.
Presence in the diagnosis CIN speaks of the need to be tested for the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), since it is he who in most cases provokes the development of cervical dysplasia.
Importance of cytological analysis
Considering the results that cytological analysis gives, its importance can hardly be overestimated. This is one of the simplest, cheapest, and most reliable methods for determining the presence of precancerous conditions of the cervix.
Cervical cancer occupies almost half of the cancers in women.
In the initial stages, it proceeds without symptoms, and until the middle of the 20th century it was almost impossible to diagnose precancerous conditions. But with the advent of the Pap test in the 40s of the 20th century, this became possible, which saved a huge number of women's lives.
Timely detection of initial changes in cells allows relatively simple and effective treatment of dysplasia and other precancerous conditions.
Doctors advise to conduct a cytological analysis of the cervix at least once a year.
It is believed that cancer cells develop rather slowly, so many doctors allow the test to be taken once every 2-3 years. But there are times when the disease develops very quickly. Such a gap is acceptable if the previous two cytological analyzes were negative.
Regardless of previous test results, women at risk ( HIV carriers taking steroids, chemotherapy, etc.)- the analysis must be taken every year or more often, according to the doctor's recommendation.
If a pathology is found in the analysis, repeat it after three months, six months, or as recommended by a doctor.
Also note that the cytology of the cervix in 5-10% of cases are false negative. Experts attribute this to improper sampling of material and improper preparation for analysis.
For the result to be reliable, for at least two days a woman needs:
- Refrain from sexual intercourse
- Do not sanitize (douche) the vagina
- Do not use vaginal suppositories, tablets, creams and other preparations.
- Before the direct sampling of the material, do not urinate for 2-3 hours.
Cytology analysis cannot be taken:
![](https://i1.wp.com/jenskoe-zdorovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/396-thickbox_default-300x300.jpg)
Compliance with these simple rules will allow a woman to be calm about her health, and if any pathologies are found, it is effective and relatively easy to treat them.
Cervix uteri is the Latin name for the cervix. Cervical cytology is a laboratory study to determine the cellular structure of this area. The swab is taken from the cervical canal. For the first time this procedure was applied by the Greek scientist Papanikolaou in the first half of the 20th century. The purpose of this survey was to detect and prevent cancer in women.
What is the procedure?
A smear for cytology is a study of the entire upper layer of the cervix using a microscope. The examination is used for the timely detection of oncology. This method is the most convenient due to painlessness and simplicity.
Cytology of the cervix is useful not only for detection, it allows you to learn about changes in the structure and functioning of cells, to identify incipient infections and inflammations.
Another name for such an examination is the Pap test. It is recommended for all women aged 20 to 60 for prevention purposes at least once a year. The PAP test helps to accurately determine all abnormalities in the female reproductive system.
What is the purpose of the Pap test?
Cytology of the cervical canal is needed by every woman for prevention. Deviations in the structure of the cellular structure can be very dangerous not only for well-being, but also for life. The PAP test helps to fix the possible.
The smear gives an idea of the condition of the mucosa and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms on it. The analysis cannot give exact indicators, therefore, in order to accurately determine the spread of microbes, additional studies must be resorted to.
Who needs to have a Pap test every month?
A smear for cytology should be carried out for all women from the age of 18 for prevention purposes, but there are certain risk groups for whom it is desirable to conduct an analysis once a month.
In the presence of at least one of these deviations, the Pap test should be performed monthly:
- Violations in the menstrual cycle;
- Venereal diseases;
- Genital herpes;
- genital warts;
- Infertility;
- Weak immunity;
- Past cancers.
Important! With a frequent change of sexual partners, pregnancy planning, the presence of an intrauterine device and the use of birth control pills, cytology should be performed every 1-2 months.
A smear will help to detect any pathology at the initial stage.
How is the research done?
The smear procedure is completely painless. The woman sits in a gynecological chair, and the doctor makes several smears from different surfaces of the vagina: the vaginal walls, cervical canal and paraurethral canals. For the procedure, the gynecologist uses a special spatula and a mirror. So that the instruments do not cause discomfort, the doctor heats them with hot water.
The second stage of cytology consists in applying the obtained material to the glass. It will be examined in a laboratory under a microscope. Next, the doctor enters the results of the study into the cytology form.
Smear results
Deciphering the obtained indicators is the most important stage in the analysis for cytology. According to the results, the doctor can get an idea about the state of the microflora and squamous epithelial cells, the presence of processes.
The results are deciphered according to the Papanicolaou method, in total there are five stages in the development of various deviations, each has its own description.
- First stage characterized by the absence of certain abnormalities, all epithelial cells are in a normal state, the mass of the nuclei is not increased. This result speaks about the health of a woman.
- At the second stage there are some minor changes in the cells. Usually they are caused by various inflammatory processes in the reproductive system. The second stage is the norm, but additional research should be carried out to find out the cause of the changes. Sometimes there are single binuclear cells.
- At the third stage cells with an abnormal structure are present. As a rule, these are binuclear cells. Upon receipt of such a result, you need to conduct a smear again and undergo additional studies.
- During the fourth stage there are malignant changes in the cells of the uterus. There are changes in the structure of chromosomes and cytoplasm, the mass of nuclei increases. Based on this result, it is impossible to build a final diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo further examination.
- For the fifth stage characterized by the presence of a large number of malignant cells.
The study is trying to determine if there are on the surface of the cervix. Usually, oncogenic mutations affect both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of the cell. The altered cells have an enlarged nucleus, and the cytoplasm has anomalies in development.
It is not possible to get the results of a cytological examination immediately. A detailed transcript appears approximately on the fifth day after the scraping. Sometimes you have to wait a week for results.
The Papanicolaou method is very reliable in the study of the cervical canal. However, it provides information about the state of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. For an accurate analysis, a complex of studies should be completed.
A woman is healthy if all the obtained indicators correspond to the norms and there are no deviations in the structure of the cells. If the results deviate from the norm, then most often the woman has a pathology. Sometimes single erythrocytes and histiocytes appear on the surface of the cervix, which indicates inflammation.
The presence of cells with an abnormal structure does not always indicate the presence of cancer. They may talk about a sexually transmitted disease or infection.
- Chlamydia. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Typically, chlamydia is asymptomatic. The disease is practically not amenable to diagnosis by laboratory methods. Lack of treatment for chlamydia leads to serious complications.
- Gonorrhea. Infection of the genitourinary system. The chronic form of gonorrhea often leads to infertility.
- Genital warts (HPV). very dangerous for women's health, because of it warts form on the surface of the vagina and cervix. The disease often leads to infertility.
- Trichomoniasis. The disease is quite common. Among the signs of trichomoniasis: burning and itching, green discharge with an unpleasant rotten smell, pain during urination and sexual intimacy.
- Thrush. The presence of fungi in the microflora of the vagina is the norm, but sometimes, due to malfunctions in the body, they begin to multiply uncontrollably. A woman has a white discharge with a sour milky smell.
To find out which disease caused the change in the structure of cells, you need to conduct a set of additional studies, fallopian tubes, ovaries.
What is liquid cytology?
This type of survey is technologically new. The principle of cell collection remains the same, but with liquid cytology, the biomaterial is placed not immediately on the glass, but in a container with a liquid preservative. This bottle is sent for research.
In laboratories, the obtained material is purified using special equipment from leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, etc. Next, the biomaterial is applied in a thin layer on a glass slide, fixed and stained.
The liquid method has its advantages, the main of which is the basis for a deeper study of the state of the cells. The disadvantage of the method is that there are very few qualified specialists who have undergone special training, they can only be found in large clinics.
Liquid cytology is more informative for detecting cancer. Women who are prone to developing cancer should be screened for cervical cancer several times a year.
How to prepare for the procedure?
Cytological examination is one of the most important in gynecology. Before him, you need to prepare so that the results are accurate.
It is necessary to wash well before the procedure. The perineum should be washed with a special soap for intimate hygiene with a slightly acidic reaction.
A few days before cytology, douches and enemas should be abandoned. All medications must be stopped. It is advisable to give up sexual intercourse two days before cytology.
Conclusion
It is important for all women to carry out cytology of the cervix for preventive purposes. The study helps to find out if there are any violations in the cervical canal.
A cytology smear is very useful in determining cancer and inflammation. Oncocytology of the cervix allows you to cure cancer at an early stage.
Have you already had a cervical cytology? Write your opinion about the procedure in the comments.
Video: Cervical and vaginal Pap smear technique. Liquid and conventional cytology
Video: Epithelial cytology introduction
Video: Pap (PAP) test
[12-001 ] Cytological examination of smears (scrapings) from the surface of the cervix (external uterine os) and cervical canal for atypia
600 rub.
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An analysis that allows you to identify changes in the epithelium of the ecto- and endocervix and diagnose early precancerous diseases and cervical cancer.
Russian synonyms
A smear for oncocytology.
SynonymsEnglish
Cervical Smear; Cervical Oncocytology.
Methodresearch
cytological method.
What biomaterial can be used for research?
A smear from the outer surface of the cervix, a smear from the inner surface of the cervix (from the cervical canal).
How to properly prepare for research?
- The procedure for taking a urogenital smear is recommended to be performed 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, multiple births , cases of cervical cancer in the family, early onset of sexual activity, frequent change of sexual partners, inadequate 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 at 5-year intervals can result in an 84% reduction in mortality, and screening 25-63-year-olds at 3-year intervals can result in a 90% reduction in mortality. The risk of developing invasive cancer is 5 to 10 times higher in women who have never been screened.
A smear for oncocytology is recommended to be taken annually 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 smear, conventional cytology and atypia tests do not use fixatives and use simpler dyes. 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 come from the junction zone 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 the 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 precancerous lesions of the cervix.
- For screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer.
When is the study scheduled?
- With regular preventive examinations of all women over 25 years of age (it is recommended to take an analysis annually).
- When examining girls under the age of 25 who are sexually active.
What do the results mean?
I. Quantity of material.
- The material is complete (adequate) - a smear of good quality containing a sufficient amount of the appropriate cell types.
- The material is insufficiently complete (insufficiently adequate) - there are no endocervix cells and / or metaplastic cells in the material, there are not enough squamous epithelial cells or the cellular composition is poor.
- The material is defective (inadequate) - according to the material it is impossible to judge the presence or absence of pathological changes in the cervix.
II. Interpretation of the results (interpretation of the smear for oncocytology).
- Cytogram without features - epithelial cells within the normal range, the cytogram corresponds to age, normal.
- 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.
- Suspicion of malignancy.
- individual malignant cells.
- A large number of malignant cells, a malignant neoplasm.
If minimal changes are detected or if malignancy is suspected, it is recommended to conduct an examination for oncogenic human papillomavirus serotypes.
What can influence the result?
In girls under 20 years of age, false positive results are possible 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 the purpose of 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 result of the analysis with 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.
- Cytological examination of smears (scrapings) from the surface of the cervix (external uterine os) and cervical canal - Papanicolaou staining (Pap test)
- Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA)
Who orders the study?
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.
The Greek word "cytology" became the name of the branch of biology about living cells. Every cell in the body contains information: through shape, quantity, location, and atypicality. Information about and diseases of the body is assessed using different methods, but one of the simplest, fastest, cheapest and most effective is considered cytology test. Let's see what it is: a cytology analysis in gynecology, how it is carried out and how it is deciphered.
What is it for?
The PAP test, as it is called, allows using a smear from the cervix for cytology to determine many women's and, most importantly, to talk about a possible cancer.
What does a cytology smear show: it makes it possible to detect cervical cancer in women with suspicion of it or to reject suspicions. Such an analysis can also confirm another diagnosis: a viral infection, a bacterial infection, and in the postoperative period too. To suggest whether the doctor has chosen the right method of treating the patient and whether it needs to be corrected.
Let's figure out what it is: Cytology of the cervix in gynecology.
This is a common procedure for studying the state of cells on the surface of the cervix: normal or atypical - non-standard, talking about the risk of the disease or about itself.
In gynecology, the place of cell sampling for examination is the cervix or cervical canal.
Indications for carrying out
A cytological examination of the cervix is mandatory for all women 1-2 times a year, starting at the age of 18, to control at the cell level.
And also in case:
- obesity;
- taking hormonal contraceptives;
- violations
- the presence of genital herpes;
- the presence of papilloma, which is often the cause of cancer;
- a large number of sexual partners;
- planning set .
Did you know? The Latin word "Cito!" in translation means "Urgent!". If you see such a mark on any analysis, it means that it will be done as quickly as possible.
Material under study
We repeat: the material is the cells of the human body, and you can get them in the following ways.
- Due to scraping or imprint of the surface of organs, wounds, fistula.
- Through puncture of tumors, joints, abdominal cavity, uterus in a pregnant woman, pericardium.
- Due to tissue imprints, for example, from an incision during surgery.
- From the taken fluid: urine, sputum, for example, from the mammary gland, material washed off from the surface of internal organs after endoscopy.
This method has advantages:
- quickly produced.
- The drug can be made more than one.
- Staining methods are standard.
- The material is of improved quality due to the fact that all the collected cellular material gets into the container, minimizing the ingress of blood and other possible impurities, and maintaining all the properties of the cells.
- The storage time of the material is guaranteed.
- The traditional method of preparing a smear is inferior in several positions to liquid cytology.
How is the analysis
The Pap test, or Pap smear, is done very quickly. The procedure is painless and lasts only 5 seconds.
Preparation
You don't need any special preparation for the test. But you should beware of drinking alcohol in the previous day or two, using intravaginal preparations and douching, sexual intercourse: the accuracy of the result depends on this. Taking a test in the presence of an inflammatory process will not be effective. It is desirable to carry out the analysis on the 12-20th day of the cycle.
Taking a swab
During the examination, the gynecologist inserts a special brush with bristles into the vagina. On it remains the biological material necessary for the study. The doctor takes the cells from the cervix, from the walls of the vagina.
Immediately after sampling, the material is transferred to a laboratory slide (subject), signed and sent to the laboratory for staining and examination.
Decryption: positive and negative results
Deciphering the cytological examination of cervical smears the doctor himself should do it, and the information received from the Internet should remain at the stage of initial acquaintance. Hasty conclusions should not be drawn.
Important! The workload of the laboratory plays a role in waiting for the result. It is also important whether a person or a machine conducts the test: in recent times, the latter option has been favored. You can pick up the result in 1-3 days. In special cases, the test can be collected after a few minutes.
The result form should contain the patient's name and date, as well as the type of analysis and a description, that is, the result.
If cancer cells are not found, and the cells have sizes and shapes that correspond to the norm, and there are no atypical ones, then the result will still be with a description, but already, for example, the microbial flora.
And if the result is positive, the material is evaluated in relation to one class (stage) out of 5. Then CIN I, II, III will be written on the form. With any positive result, you need to go to the doctor, as well as to be examined (for example, simply repeat the test for or conduct a biopsy of the cervix).
Consider what cytology analysis shows at each degree.
First stage
There are no changes in the cells, as well as atypia. The mother is practically healthy. Dysplasia at this stage requires a repeat test after 3-12 months. The doctor may prescribe an additional examination: colposcopy.
Second stage
What does cytology analysis show: a small number of atypical cells with inflammatory signs. This is considered a relative norm, because the genital area often coexists with inflammation.
The appointment may be a biopsy of the cervix, as a result of which "cauterization" of the desired area can be carried out. Then, periodically, the doctor prescribes repeated Pap tests to monitor the pathology and immediately respond to it.
Third stage
A small number of atypical cells, grouped and with anomalies in the structure. This is a precancerous condition or a signal of a pathology that may develop.
With this kind of dysplasia the affected area of the cervix is removed surgically. Then a histological analysis is carried out (for effectiveness). The result can be either regressive or progressive, and turn into cancer. The operation at the same time treats and diagnoses at the same time.
Fourth stage
The test shows undeniable malignancies with a small number of cells. Their nuclei have a mass greater than that of normal cells, the cytoplasm and chromosomes are also changed. This is the possible onset of cancer or dysplasia.
It is also necessary to clarify the analysis by the methods of colposcopy, histology, repeated cytology.
Fifth stage
The test showed many altered cells: means the disease is already progressing. An additional examination will be aimed at confirming the diagnosis and clarifying it: establishing the stage of cancer, type, and methods of treatment.
Important! It is believed that every 20th test shows atypical cell changes. But this is not always the case, and you just need to be examined again or additionally examined in other ways. Every second smear may be uninformative due to lack of biological material. And the test needs to be done again. Every 9th testout of 10shows the normal state of the cells.
Possible complications during donation
During the test, a scraping is done, so in single cases spotting is possible in limited quantities up to two days.
And finally, it is worth adding: cervical cancer develops slowly. Therefore, if the Pap test showed a negative result, calm down and continue to take it as planned once a year. Even if a woman is infected with the most aggressive HPV type 18 or 16 oncogenic viruses, this will be enough.