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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > Test > P > Pap smear

Pap smear    See images

Overview | Risks | Results

Alternative names:

Papanicolaou test

Normal Values

A normal value is when the test is negative, meaning there are no abnormal cells present.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal values are based on the test results. The current system of reporting divides the results into three main areas: benign or noncancerous, precancerous or showing some abnormal cell changes, and malignant or possibly cancerous.

A report in the latter two categories will ususally lead to a follow-up examination, including a repeat Pap smear and possibly other tests. If you have never had an abnormal Pap smear before, and the result indicates a mild abnormality, the Pap test is repeated in 6 months.

If the test result suggests a severe abnormality or cancer, you should undergo immediate colposcopic evaluation with biopsies. If you have had an abnormal Pap test in the past, or have had treatment for a precancerous change, you should have an immediatae colposcopy.

Ency. home > Test > P > Pap smear

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