WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for July, 2000: Re: abnormal pap test-'ascus' result

Re: abnormal pap test-'ascus' result

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Wed, 26 Jul 2000 13:54:32 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: steph: "abnormal pap test-'ascus' result"

At Wed, 26 Jul 2000, steph wrote: >
>I was told that my recent pap test showed that I had a yeast infection(I
>have had no symptoms to my knowledge) and that I had atypical squamous
>cell of undetermined significance.
>I am returning for another pap smear in October and have talked to two
>of my doctors nurses who have reassured me that I should not be worried.
>They have told me that 70-80% of the time the 2nd test is normal. They
>also said that I had no precancerous, cancerous cells or signs of
>dysplasia.
>Should I be more concerned than I already am? I trust my doctor but am
>scared. Should I be doing anything else as far as testing? Any help,
>advice, or information would be GREATLY appreciated.

ASCUS pap smears are a "hedge", that allow the reviewer to indicate that while there was nothing truly abnomal about the pap smear, he or she did see some cells that looked a little funny, so would you please look again in 4-6 months and give us a new sample to check. Lots of things can cause this, such as minor vaginal infections (like yeast), and the vast majority of repeat paps are read as normal. Rarely, the repeat shows something more than simple ASCUS, and then your doctor will look at your cervix under magnification. This is called a colposcopy. So, in short, the answer to your question is no, you do not need to be doing anything else right now.

--
William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG
Clarksville, TN

This is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be replacement
or substitute for consultation and examination by an appropriate medical
professional.  Due to time constraints, private e-mails cannot be answered.

Next message: Katherine: "Trichotillomania"
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In reply to: steph: "abnormal pap test-'ascus' result"

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