Abnormal Pap Smear Test
If a woman gets an abnormal pap smear test, it signifies that some unusual cell changes have been detected on her cervix or in the cervical canal. Unusual changes occur due to various causes. It may happen due to an inflammatory process induced by Chlamydia, candida, trichomonas or other bacteria. When the abnormal changes are caused only by a bacterial infection, the results of Pap smear revert to normal after an appropriate anti-bacterial therapy is realized.
Abnormal pap smear test often occurs in women with genital human papillomavirus infection. Human papillomavirus has an ability to induce cellular abnormalities that can lead to the appearance of genital warts. Some types of this virus can trigger premalignant changes of cervical tissue, known as cervical dysplasia. Cervical dysplasia is a precursor of cancer and patients with this disease usually need a close medical attention. It is strongly recommended for women with an abnormal pap smear to be tested for human papillomavirus since it allows to determine their risk for cancer.
As a rule, the management of patients with abnormal pap smear test depends on the degree of the detected abnormalities. Patients having cellular changes associated with an inflammation undergo a repeated Pap smear within several months, and, in case of need, receive an adequate therapy. In case detected cellular changes are not significant, health care providers may recommend to repeat Pap smear in 4-6 months, and, if these changes do not regress, patients should have HPV DNA test and a colposcopy. The majority of women with abnormal Pap smear do not require treatment, because the abnormalities often go away on their own.
It is possible that an abnormal pap smear test suggests the presence of premalignant lesions. In this case, it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis and assess cervical tissues status through additional tests. If the doctor suspects the presence of premalignant lesions on the cervix, he prescribes colposcopic examination with a biopsy from suspected areas.
Pap smear is widely used by gynecologists because it is painless, simple and doesn't take much time. It is an effective test which gives an opportunity to detect cervical dysplasia and other cervical and vaginal conditions. For this reason, it is recommended to undergo this test yearly. Patients who have got an abnormal pap smear test need to undergo medical check-ups more frequently.
