What does satisfactory for evaluation mean on a Pap smear?
What does satisfactory for evaluation on a Pap smear mean? “SATISFACTORY FOR EVALUATION” indicates that the specimen has all of the following: Appropriate labeling and identifying information. Relevant clinical information. Adequate number of well-preserved and well-visualized squamous epithelial cells.
What is a Pap smear?
A Pap smear is a procedure to screen for cervical cancer and abnormal cell changes on the cervix that might lead to cervical cancer.
What does it mean when Pap smear says no endocervical component?
A pap result that notes "no endocervical component" is not suggesting disease, but noting that the lab test is limited because on of the parts is missin. What does it mean when you have epithelial cells present in a pap smear? Epithelial cells are a normal part of the anatomy. They are the type of cell checked in a pap smear.
Can a Pap smear be wrong or wrong?
A Pap smear is a safe way to screen for cervical cancer. However, a Pap smear isn't foolproof. It's possible to receive false-negative results — meaning that the test indicates no abnormality, even though you do have abnormal cells. A false-negative result doesn't mean that a mistake was made. Factors that can cause a false-negative result include:
What does a Pap smear tell you?
Why do we do a Pap smear?
What does it mean when a Pap smear is positive?
How to do a Pap test?
What are the risk factors for a Pap smear?
Why are samples transferred to a laboratory?
What is the instrument called that holds the walls of your vagina apart?
See 4 more
About this website
What does satisfactory mean on a Pap smear?
Satisfactory Pap Smear (and normal). Pap smear specimens are considered satisfactory for interpretation if there are: Adequate numbers of well-visualized squamous cells present. Adequate numbers of well-visualized endocervical cells or squamous metaplastic cells (from the transformation zone).
What is satisfactory evaluation?
"Satisfactory" does not mean "minimally acceptable." Receiving an evaluation of "Satisfactory" means that the work as a whole was well done and expectations were met.
What does this mean satisfactory for evaluation endocervical and/or squamous metaplastic cells endocervical component are present?
The phrase “endocervical cells present” simply means that your doctor sampled cells from the inside of your cervix during the Pap smear. The phrase “squamous metaplastic cells present” means that the pathologist who examined your Pap smear found cells that were growing and repairing themselves regularly.
What are the five categories of Pap smear abnormalities?
There are five main categories of abnormal Pap smear results within the Bethesda system:Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). ... Squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). ... Atypical squamous cells that may or may not be HSIL (ASC-H). ... Atypical glandular cells (AGC). ... Cancer.
Why would a Pap smear show inflammation?
Inflammation. If inflammation (redness) is present in the cells on the Pap smear, it means that some white blood cells were seen on your Pap smear.
What does satisfactory for evaluation endocervical component present mean?
Phrases in your pap smear results that mean everything's fine: Endocervical cells present. This phrase means that cells from the inside of your cervical canal were sampled at the time of the pap test, which is something your doctor tries to do.
How do I read my Pap smear results?
A Pap test result can be normal, unclear, or abnormal.Normal. A normal (or “negative”) result means that no cell changes were found on your cervix. ... Unclear (ASC-US) It is common for test results to come back unclear. ... Abnormal. An abnormal result means that cell changes were found on your cervix. ... Negative. ... Positive.
Are squamous metaplastic cells cancerous?
Squamous metaplasia refers to noncancerous (benign) changes in squamous cells in your epithelium. The epithelium is a thin tissue that lines glands and organs, including your skin. Squamous cells exist throughout your body. In rare instances, squamous metaplasia can become cancerous (malignant).
What does it mean to have a normal Pap smear but test positive for HPV?
If a patient has a normal pap smear that tests positive for high risk HPV, we can then specifically check for 2 types of high risk HPV that are most associated with precancerous cervical changes, types 16 and 18.
What is the most common reason for an abnormal Pap smear?
Cause. Most abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV infections. Other types of infection—such as those caused by bacteria, yeast, or protozoa (Trichomonas)—sometimes lead to minor changes on a Pap test called atypical squamous cells.
How common is it to have abnormal pap smears?
About 5% of all Pap tests will be abnormal, meaning that the sample contains atypical cervical cells. However, the majority of these cells are not cancerous or even precancerous.
Can stress affect Pap smear results?
But she noted that many researchers speculate that stress may somehow be involved in cervical cancer because stressful times in women's lives can often be associated with abnormal Pap smear results.
What is satisfactory performance?
Satisfactory work performance refers to the minimum level of performance expected of an employee in the course of their duties. If you're assessing your employee's eligibility for re-employment, you can take into account their performance for the last 2 to 3 years.
What is the meaning of very satisfactory?
good enough to fulfill a need, wish, requirement, etc.; satisfying or adequate.
What is a performance rating scale?
Rating scales help to quantitatively measure employee performance and speed up the appraisal process, allowing organizations to solicit feedback from more people in one review cycle.
What does endocervical transformation zone component mean?
The area where cervical cells are most likely to become cancerous is called the transformation zone. It is the area just around the opening of the cervix that leads on to the endocervical canal. The endocervical canal is the narrow passageway that runs up from the cervix into the womb.
How to Do a Pap Smear: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
Schedule the test when you won’t be having your period. Since bleeding can make the test a little less accurate, try to get your pap smear done during a time when you won’t be having your period. If possible, do it at least 5 days after your last period ended. If your period comes unexpectedly, don’t worry—you might still be able to get your pap smear. Call your doctor’s office and ...
Pap Smear (Pap Test): What To Expect, Results & How Often
Certain factors may cause you to have more frequent screenings or screening past age 65. Some of these are: Having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or being immunocompromised from another condition or treatment like chemotherapy.; Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) while in your mother's womb.
Pap Smear (Pap Test): Reasons, Procedure & Results - Healthline
A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a routine screening procedure for cervical cancer. It’s recommended once every three years for women starting at age 21, regardless of whether or not you ...
Pap Test (Pap Smear): Purpose, Procedure, Results, Frequency - WebMD
Pap Smear Procedure It takes about 10-20 minutes for the whole exam, but only a few minutes for the actual Pap smear. The test is done in your doctor’s office or clinic.
What Is a Pap Smear?
A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, involves collecting cells from the vagina and cervix —the lower, narrow end of the uterus that's at the top of the vagina. The Pap smear is usually done in conjunction with a pelvic exam. An HPV test is a test for high risk strains of HPV (cancer-causing strains) that can be done at the same time as a Pap smear, but may also be performed on a Pap smear sample after it has been sent to a lab.
What does it mean if a Pap smear is positive?
There are a few different reasons why this may occur. Most commonly, it means that an HPV infection is present but not causing any abnormalities in the cervical cells at the time.
What causes a Pap smear to show abnormality?
The most common causes of ASCUS Pap smear results are noncancerous (benign) conditions, such as infections or inflammation . These conditions can cause cervical cells to appear abnormal. Eventually, however, most cells return to a normal appearance with time.
How to detect cervical cancer early?
Detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear gives you a greater chance at a cure. It's better still when abnormal changes can be found (and treated) before they have an opportunity to progress to cervical cancer in the first place. Remain educated about your cervical health and keep up with your pap smears. Another tidbit is to remember not to have sex, douche, or use tampons or other vaginal hygiene products 48 hours prior to your Pap smear test, as these can give false results.
What does it mean when a cervix test is abnormal?
If your test is abnormal, your report may include a number of different findings, such as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), which are considered mildly abnormal, or squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), which may indicate that cells lining the cervix are precancerous. Depending on the findings and the grade ...
What happens if abnormal cells are found during a Pap smear?
If abnormal or unusual cells were discovered during your Pap smear, you're said to have a positive result.
Can a Pap smear show a false negative?
On the other hand, it could be that the Pap smear sample did not pick up an area of abnormal cells (false negative). Recommendations may vary depending on your age, your history of HPV testing in the past, and whether your test was positive for HPV 16 or 18. These may include earlier follow-up or proceeding with a colposcopy .
What does transformation zone mean in pap?
Transformation zone component present. Another phrase that means your pap sampled cells both on the surface of your cervix and inside the canal.
How long does it take for a gyno to repeat an HPV test?
Could be an infection, could be the start of a true abnormality. Your gyno will either repeat the test in 6-12 months, or order an HPV test. If the HPV test was done at the same time and was negative, you’re in the clear.
What does "endocervical cells present" mean?
Endocervical cells present. This phrase means that cells from the inside of your cervical canal were sampled at the time of the pap test, which is something your doctor tries to do. Sometimes it’s hard to reach these cells, which may lead to the phrase…. Endocervical cells absent.
Can you sample endocervical cells?
Endocervical cells absent. This means that the sampling of cells during your pap didn’t include those inside-the-canal cells. If you’ve never had an ab normal pap in the past, it’s fine for an occasional pap to not sample these cells. But if your pap was performed to follow-up an abnormal test, your doctor may want you to return to the office for a repeat pap.
Is a pap test reported in medical speak?
Most medical testing — from blood tests to radiology exams to your pap tests — are still reported out in medical-speak that seems very far from English. Let me decode the mysterious language, and what it means for you.
Do you get a copy of a Pap smear?
Have you ever received a copy of your pap smear results in the mail or through your online patient chart, only to be completely befuddled by what it means? If your doctor is kind, they’ll include a note with the results that says if everything is fine, or if you need more testing. But sometimes you get a copy of the actual report, which feels like it’s written in another language. Most medical testing — from blood tests to radiology exams to your pap tests — are still reported out in medical-speak that seems very far from English. Let me decode the mysterious language, and what it means for you.
Does the pap pick up cells at the transition of the outside to the inside of the cervix?
Like with “endocervical cells absent,” your pap didn’t pick up cells at the transition of the outside to the inside of your cervix. Nothing to worry about.
What is a pap smear?
Screen for cancer: Named for its discoverer george papanicolaou, cells from the cervix of the uterus are smeared onto a glass slide, stained, and examined under the micr... Read More
How important is pap smear?
Could be very.: The pap smear is a way to find cervical cancer before it becomes serious. Cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted disease and young women are at hig... Read More
What can pap smear pick up?
Pap Smears: Pap smears are designed to look for skin changes that could or would predict risk for developing cervical cancer. They now can also test for the hybr... Read More
What does a normal pap smear tell you?
Normal : This is the standard way that a normal pap smear is reported. It tells you that there are enough cells collected to evaluate the specimen and that the ... Read More
Is endocervical cell normal?
That's normal: endocervical cells is what they look at on a pap smear. If it was otherwise normal, then you're probably fine.
Does a pap smear hurt?
No: A good pelvic examiner can perform a pap smear with little or no discomfort.
What does a Pap smear tell you?
A Pap smear can alert your doctor to the presence of suspicious cells that need further testing.
Why do we do a Pap smear?
Why it's done. A Pap smear is used to screen for cervical cancer. The Pap smear is usually done in conjunction with a pelvic exam. In women older than age 30, the Pap test may be combined with a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) — a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer.
What does it mean when a Pap smear is positive?
If abnormal or unusual cells were discovered during your Pap smear, you're said to have a positive result. A positive result doesn't mean you have cervical cancer. What a positive result means depends on the type of cells discovered in your test.
How to do a Pap test?
Pap test. Pap test. In a Pap test, your doctor uses a vaginal speculum to hold your vaginal walls apart and to see the cervix. Next, a sample of cells from your cervix is collected using a small cone-shaped brush and a tiny plastic spatula (1 and 2). Your doctor then rinses the brush and spatula in a liquid-filled vial ...
What are the risk factors for a Pap smear?
These risk factors include: A diagnosis of cervical cancer or a Pap smear that showed precancerous cells. Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth. HIV infection.
Why are samples transferred to a laboratory?
The samples are transferred to a laboratory where they're examined under a microscope to look for characteristics in the cells that indicate cancer or a precancerous condition.
What is the instrument called that holds the walls of your vagina apart?
Your heels rest in supports called stirrups. Your doctor will gently insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. The speculum holds the walls of your vagina apart so that your doctor can easily see your cervix. Inserting the speculum may cause a sensation of pressure in your pelvic area.
Overview
A screening test that tests for precancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix.
Type: Cervical cells
Duration: Usually 10-20 mins
Results available: Within a month
Conditions it may diagnose: Cervical dysplasia · Cervical cancer · Human papillomavirus infection
Is Invasive: Invasive
Type: Cervical cells
Duration: Usually 10-20 mins
Results available: Within a month
Conditions it may diagnose: Cervical dysplasia · Cervical cancer · Human papillomavirus infection
Is Invasive: Invasive
Ability to confirm condition: High
Ability to rule out condition: Moderate
Why It's Done
Risks
How You Prepare
What You Can Expect
- A Pap smear is used to screen for cervical cancer. The Pap smear is usually done in conjunction with a pelvic exam. In women older than age 30, the Pap test may be combined with a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) — a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer. In some cases, the HPV test may be done instead of a Pap smear.