The Papanicolaou test (abbreviated as Pap test, also known as Pap smear (AE), cervical smear (BE), cervical screening (BE), or smear test (BE)) is a method of cervical screening used to detect potentially precancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix (opening of the uterus or womb) or colon (in both women and men). NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms provides easy-to-understand definitions for words and phrases related to cancer and medicine. A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a routine screening procedure for cervical cancer. Pap smear (n.) 1. a sample of secretions and superficial cells of the uterine cervix and uterus; examined with a microscope to detect any abnormal cells. More frequent testing and/or further evaluation may be recommended if the test is abnormal.. After treatment, you will need to continue follow-up for cervical cancer screenings. On the other hand, it could be that the Pap smear sample did not pick up an area of abnormal cells (false negative). Are You Learning English? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Here Are Our Top English Tips, The Best Articles To Improve Your English Language Usage, The Most Common English Language Questions. The most common type of HPV in women with Atypical Squamous Cell of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS) in pap smear in Iran-Yazd. These Foreign Words And Phrases Are Now Used In English. A sample of cells collected from the cervix for testing. How to Prevent, Identify, and Treat Vaginal Cancer, Recommended Cancer Screening Tests for Women. An HPV infection may be present, but not causing any abnormalities in the cervical cells at the time. If your Pap smear is read as normal, your doctor will also consider the results of your HPV test (or recommend that one be done on the same sample if it was not previously done). Beginning at age 25, either a human papillomavirus (HPV) test, or a combination of an HPV test and Pap smear are recommended every 5 years until the age of 65. If the changes are high grade, there's a greater chance that the lesion may develop into cancer much sooner. In this instance, additional diagnostic testing is necessary. If both your Pap smear test and HPV test are normal (and if you do not have a history of abnormal Pap smears/HPV tests in the past) you likely won't need any further testing or treatment until your next screening test is recommended (five years for HPV testing or cotesting). Further testing is needed to determine the source of the abnormal cells and their significance. There are a few different reasons why this might occur. Most commonly, it means that an HPV infection is present but not causing any abnormalities in the cervical cells at the time. For some women, an ASCUS result is due to changes in the cervical cells caused by HPV infection. With the liquid-based Pap smear test, your doctor can reanalyze the sample to check for the presence of certain high-risk types of HPV virus known to promote the development of cancers like cervical cancer. Based on these results, you may need treatment to remove any abnormal cells. It involves collecting cells from the vagina and cervix—the lower, narrow end of the uterus that's at the top of the vagina. If worrisome viruses are present, you'll need further testing. In fact, while an ASCUS Pap smear result may sound alarming, it's considered only mildly abnormal and is actually the most common abnormal Pap smear result you can receive. There may, in fact, be no immediate cervical cancer risk associated with your ASCUS Pap smear result. CA Cancer J Clin. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. What Does the Term Carcinoma In Situ Mean? 2020. doi:10.3322/caac.21628. This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM), Coping with Your Feelings During Advanced Cancer, Emotional Support for Young People with Cancer, Young People Facing End-of-Life Care Decisions, Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Treatment, Tech Transfer & Small Business Partnerships, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Milestones in Cancer Research and Discovery, Step 1: Application Development & Submission, Supportive & Palliative Care Editorial Board, Levels of Evidence: Supportive & Palliative Care, Levels of Evidence: Screening & Prevention, Levels of Evidence: Integrative Therapies, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A positive result doesn't mean you have cervical cancer. 2020;24(2):102-131. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000525, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. How do you use Pap smear in a sentence? 1960s from a shortening of the name of the anatomist George Nicholas Papanicolaou, who devised the technique, + smear (sense 2 of the noun). synonymes - Pap smear signaler un problème. You won't need any further treatment or testing until you're due for your next Pap smear and pelvic exam. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Updated December 9, 2016. "Adenocarcinoma" refers to cancers arising in glandular cells. What is the meaning of Pap smear? définition - Pap smear signaler un problème. If the changes are low grade, it means the size, shape, and other characteristics of the cells suggest that if a precancerous lesion is present, it's likely to be years away from becoming cancer. If your Pap smear result is normal, but your HPV test is positive for high risk strains (particularly HPV16 or 18), earlier follow-up or colposcopy may be recommended. Follow-up depends on the type of abnormality seen. While there are many strains of HPV, only certain strains are linked to cervical cancer, and the primary HPV test is designed to look specifically for these strains. A Pap smear can reveal the presence of suspicious cells on the cervix that need further testing or treatment, but learning about the results of your test can be very confusing. If no high-risk viruses are present, the abnormal cells found as a result of the test aren't of great concern. Meaning of pap smear. And, based on the results, what may be the recommended next step? There are a few different reasons why this might occur. What does pap smear mean? Int J Biomed Sci. Sign up and get your guide! The most common causes of ASCUS Pap smear results are noncancerous (benign) conditions, such as infections or inflammation. There are a few different reasons why this may occur. If such cells are found, your doctor will recommend a prompt evaluation. Cervical cancer screening for individuals at average risk: 2020 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. In other instances, your doctor may perform a procedure called colposcopy using a special magnifying instrument (colposcope) to examine the tissues of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. If your Pap smear result is normal, but your HPV test is positive for high risk strains (particularly HPV16 or 18), earlier follow-up or colposcopy may be recommended.