Characteristics of women with abnormal cervical cytology

To review the characteristics of women with abnormal cervical cytology. Women who had abnormal cervical cytology on Papanicolaou (Pap) test obtained at Hacettepe University Hospital in 2007 constituted the study group. Cytological and pathological diagnoses, human papillomavirus (HPV) status, and follow-up procedures were investigated. Among 10713 women with smear tests, 190 (1.8%) with cytological abnormalities constituted the study group. Mean age was 43.9 years. 17.2% were asymptomatic, while infections and menstrual abnormalities were the most common symptoms. 76.8% of abnormalities were detected by liquid-based cytology (LBC). Squamous cell abnormalities were detected in 87.4%. Most common diagnoses were atypical cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US;40.0%) and low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL;27.9%). High grade changes were detected in 10.0%. 11.6% had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or adenocarcinoma. Of 61 patients with HPV-DNA test, 27.9% were oncogenic. 51.7% underwent pathological diagnosis. Intraepithelial lesions were detected in 17.9% and invasive lesions were detected in 10.0%. 83.1% had normal cytology during follow-up. Although organised cytological screening programs have reduced incidence and prevalence of cervical cancer, it still represents a considerable burden in developing countries due to some problems in screening.1–3 LBC overcame some of these problems.4 Especially, annual gynaecological examination should be encouraged in such countries to reduce the incidence of invasive cancer.