Do Ovarian Cysts Always Require Removal?
Ovarian cysts may sound like a serious reproductive health condition, but in fact, they’re common and usually not symptomatic, and often disappear over time. You may never know you’ve had a cyst.
After an Abnormal Pap Smear, This Happens Next
The primary purpose of a Pap smear is to test for abnormal cells that are cancerous or showing precancerous changes. Cervical cancer progresses at a slow rate, so regular Pap smears prove to be an excellent form of preventive care.
What’s the next step after a Pap smear is abnormal? Dr. John A. Whitfield, MD, in Fort Worth, Texas, makes it clear to his patients that an abnormal result isn’t a confirmation of cancer but rather a green light for further testing.
Like many medical professionals, Dr. Whitfield first considers human papillomavirus (HPV) testing the next step. Here’s why.
HPV and cervical cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, virtually all cases of cervical cancer stem from HPV infection. Though there are more than 200 types of human papillomavirus, there are 12 of these considered to be high risk, and of those 12, HPV 16 and HPV 18 cause most HPV-connected cancers.
An abnormal Pap smear (also called a positive test) shows only that some cervical cells look different than normal cervical cells. These changes are called dysplasia, and there are different types of varying severity.
What does “abnormal” really mean?
The most common abnormal finding from a Pap smear is ASC-US, short for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. That’s the medical description that some cells don’t look normal, but it’s unclear why.
The cells might be irritated, show signs of infection, reflect changes in hormone levels, or show signs of growth, including uterine polyps. These are changes that are unrelated to cancer.
However, these abnormalities may also be related to HPV, but there’s no conclusive evidence at this stage. This is when Dr. Whitfield proceeds with a test specifically for HPV.
There are other abnormal results, too. These can include:
- Adenocarcinoma in situ: a precancerous or cancerous lesion in glandular tissue
- Atypical glandular cells: glandular cells that may indicate uterine problems
- Cervical cancer cells: very rare if you’ve been screened regularly
- High or low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions: the lesions are more advanced than ASC-US and require either further testing or a colposcopy
An HPV test can be done after a Pap smear, and it’s often done with the same sample taken during the procedure.
The HPV test
Samples for a Pap smear and HPV test are often taken at the same time, usually with patients over the age of 30, but it can also be done as a separate, standalone test. Specifically, an HPV test checks for the presence of high-risk HPV strains.
A negative HPV test means there are none of the high-risk HPV types present in your cervix. You have a low risk of developing cervical cancer based on this result.
A positive result means that high-risk HPV strains are present, and your risk of developing cancer is higher. Further evaluation of the cervix is warranted, and Dr. Whitfield typically recommends a colposcopy at this stage.
Contact the HPV specialists at Dr. John A. Whitfield, MD, for your pap smear and HPV screening needs in the Fort Worth area. Call our appointment line at 817-927-2229 today.
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