Negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) is the most common and reassuring result from a Pap smear. It means that no precancerous or cancerous cells were found in the sample from your cervix. In other words, it is considered a normal result. How do pathologists make this diagnosis? The Pap smear is a screening …
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ASC-H stands for “atypical squamous cells – cannot rule out high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)”. It is a term used in Pap smear results when abnormal cells are seen on the surface of the cervix. These changes raise concern for a precancerous condition, but they are not specific enough to confirm a diagnosis of high-grade …
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HPV associated squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cervical cancer that starts in squamous cells. Squamous cells are the flat cells that cover the outside surface of the cervix. The cancer is called HPV associated because it is driven by infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus. Over time, persistent infection can change the …
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Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) is a precancerous condition of the cervix caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). It is made up of squamous cells that have been infected and changed by the virus. These abnormal cells are usually found in the transformation zone, which is the part of the cervix where glandular …
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High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) is a precancerous condition of the cervix caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). It is made up of squamous cells that have been infected and changed by the virus. These abnormal cells are found in the transformation zone, which is the part of the cervix where glandular cells are replaced …
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HPV associated endocervical adenocarcinoma is a type of cervical cancer. It begins in the glandular cells that line the endocervical canal, which is the passage connecting the uterus to the vagina. These glandular cells normally produce mucus. When they become cancerous, they grow in an uncontrolled way and can spread into nearby tissues. This cancer …
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An endocervical polyp is a noncancerous growth in the cervix. These growths develop inside the endocervical canal, which is the passage that connects the uterus to the vagina. Polyps are made of mucus-producing endocervical glands and supporting tissue called stroma. They are called polyps because they project outward from the surface, creating a finger-like or …
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A result of atypical glandular cells (AGC) on a Pap smear means that some of the glandular cells collected from your cervix or uterus look abnormal when examined under the microscope. Glandular cells normally line the inner canal of the cervix (endocervix) and the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium). When these cells look unusual, …
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What is a Pap test? The Pap test is a screening test that looks for abnormal cells in the vaginal portion of the uterine cervix. It is called a screening test because it is designed to detect disease before a person experiences any symptoms. The test was named after Dr. Georgios Papanicolaou who invented the …
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