Pap smears are screenings designed to look for signs of either precancerous or cancerous changes. Understandably, getting an abnormal Pap smear result can be unsettling, but it’s important to remember it doesn’t mean you have cancer.
Most abnormal Pap smears are caused by minor cell changes or infections that can be monitored or treated before they become serious.
Our team at OBGYN Westside, PLLC, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, reviews your Pap smear results with you so you understand exactly what they mean.
In the meantime, read on to learn more about abnormal Pap smears.
A Pap smear is a screening test that checks for abnormal cell changes on your cervix, the lower part of your uterus. These changes may be caused by inflammation, infection, or the human papillomavirus (HPV).
If you had co-testing (a Pap smear plus an HPV test), your results might also show if any high-risk HPV types were detected. This is an important part of your testing because high-risk strains — especially HPV strains 16 and 18 — can increase your risk of developing cervical cancer.
Abnormal results are typically categorized by the type of cell changes that occur. You might see:
This is just a small sample of the types of abnormal results that are possible. Your specific abnormal result helps our team determine the next steps for you.
The good news? Most of the time, abnormal results reflect mild changes that go away on their own.
An abnormal result doesn’t automatically mean you have cervical cancer. It simply means your OBGYN Westside provider needs to take a closer look.
In some cases, abnormal cells may be precancerous, meaning they have the potential to become cancerous if left untreated. That’s why regular Pap smears are so important; they help detect changes early, so you can address the issue before the cells have a chance to turn cancerous.
In rare cases, abnormal results can indicate the presence of cancerous changes. This is typically seen in a result labeled adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) or squamous cell carcinoma. These are the least common findings, accounting for fewer than 1% of all Pap smear results. For example, an abnormal result of endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ accounts for 0.0112% of all results.
Your next steps depend on the type and severity of the abnormal cells. In many cases, your provider may recommend repeating the Pap smear in 6-12 months to monitor for changes.
Depending on your specific Pap smear and HPV results, you may need:
If you have high-grade changes and need to have precancerous tissue removed, we walk you through your options, like LEEP or cold knife conization, to excise (remove) the affected cells.
Other treatments for high-grade changes include laser therapy, cryotherapy, or, in rare cases, a hysterectomy may be recommended based on your specific diagnosis and medical history.
At OBGYN Westside, we personalize your care and walk you through every step of the process, whether that means active monitoring, additional testing, or initiating treatment to remove abnormal cells.
If you’re due for a Pap smear or have questions about your results, contact us by calling our office or using our online booking tool to schedule an appointment.
