Microglandular hyperplasia is a benign (noncancerous) condition of the cervix. It occurs when the glandular cells in the cervix, which normally produce mucus, increase in number and form small, crowded gland-like structures. This condition is not harmful and is often found by chance during an examination or biopsy. The term “hyperplasia” refers to the increased …
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Tunnel clusters are groups of glandular structures found in the cervix. These structures are lined by cells that normally produce mucus in the cervix. Tunnel clusters are benign (noncancerous) and typically form as part of a normal healing process in the cervix. They can look like small tunnels or tubes, which is how they get …
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A nabothian cyst is a small, fluid-filled sac that forms on the surface of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Nabothian cysts are common and benign (noncancerous), meaning they are not harmful. They form when mucus-producing glands in the cervix become blocked, trapping the mucus …
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Chronic cervicitis means prolonged inflammation cervix, specifically in the transformation zone between the ectocervix and the endocervix. It is a very common condition that may affect up to half of all women at some time during their adult life. What are the symptoms of chronic cervicitis? Most women with chronic cervicitis do not experience any …
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Adenocarcinoma is a type of cervical cancer. It develops from columnar cells normally found on the surface of the endocervix. Most tumours start from a non-invasive type of cancer called endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). What are the symptoms of adenocarcinoma of the cervix? The most common symptom of adenocarcinoma of the cervix is abnormal …
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What does ASC-US mean on a Pap smear of the cervix? ASC-US stands for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. It means that abnormal cells were found on the surface of your cervix when the Pap smear was performed. Does ASC-US on a Pap smear mean cancer? No. ASC-US does not mean cancer. However, it …
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What is the cervix? The cervix is part of the female genital tract. It is found at the bottom of the uterus where it forms an opening into the endometrial cavity of the uterus. The cervix is commonly divided into two parts – the ectocervix and the endocervix which meet at an area called the …
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Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a pre-cancerous disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). It is composed of abnormal squamous cells that have been infected and transformed by the virus. The squamous cells are found in a part of the cervix called the transformation zone. CIN is called a pre-cancerous disease because over time it can …
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The transformation zone is a part of the cervix where the squamous cells that make up the ectocervix meet the glandular cells that make up the endocervix. In this area of the cervix, the glandular cells that make up the endocervix are slowly replaced by squamous cells. This process is called squamous metaplasia. As a …
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What does the term negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) mean? Negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) means that no pre-cancerous or cancerous cells were seen in your Pap smear. It is a normal result. How do pathologists make this diagnosis? The diagnosis of NILM is made after a Pap smear of the …
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