Pap Test Specimen Adequacy and Quality Indicators
Pap Test Specimen Adequacy and Quality Indicators
Our objective was to provide management guidelines according to Papanicolaou (Pap) test specimen adequacy based on literature review and expert opinion. A task force named by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) conducted a literature review and discussed appropriate management. The Steering Committee of the ASCCP and other experts reviewed the guidelines.
The guidelines recommend a repeated Pap test in 12 months for most women undergoing routine annual/biennial screening if the current Pap test is negative but either lacks an endocervical/transformation zone component or is partially obscured. Indications for considering an earlier repeat are also provided. The preferred management for unsatisfactory Pap tests is a repeated Pap test within a short interval of 2 to 4 months. The management guidelines will help promote optimal and uniform follow-up of women according to Pap test specimen adequacy.
The Bethesda 2001 terminology for reporting results of cervical cytology made substantial changes in specimen adequacy terminology and categorization. As a result, Bethesda conference participants were concerned that the changes might lead to confusion concerning optimal patient management according to specimen adequacy. Even before Bethesda 2001 terminology changes, there was no consensus regarding the timing of screening in women whose Papanicolaou (Pap) tests lacked a transformation zone component or exhibited partially obscuring factors. An extensive management guideline addressing all specimen adequacy concerns did not exist. The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) agreed to address these concerns by convening a task force to establish Pap specimen adequacy management guidelines.
Our objective was to provide management guidelines according to Papanicolaou (Pap) test specimen adequacy based on literature review and expert opinion. A task force named by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) conducted a literature review and discussed appropriate management. The Steering Committee of the ASCCP and other experts reviewed the guidelines.
The guidelines recommend a repeated Pap test in 12 months for most women undergoing routine annual/biennial screening if the current Pap test is negative but either lacks an endocervical/transformation zone component or is partially obscured. Indications for considering an earlier repeat are also provided. The preferred management for unsatisfactory Pap tests is a repeated Pap test within a short interval of 2 to 4 months. The management guidelines will help promote optimal and uniform follow-up of women according to Pap test specimen adequacy.
The Bethesda 2001 terminology for reporting results of cervical cytology made substantial changes in specimen adequacy terminology and categorization. As a result, Bethesda conference participants were concerned that the changes might lead to confusion concerning optimal patient management according to specimen adequacy. Even before Bethesda 2001 terminology changes, there was no consensus regarding the timing of screening in women whose Papanicolaou (Pap) tests lacked a transformation zone component or exhibited partially obscuring factors. An extensive management guideline addressing all specimen adequacy concerns did not exist. The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) agreed to address these concerns by convening a task force to establish Pap specimen adequacy management guidelines.