A pap test or a pap
smear is the short form for the Papanicolaou test. It is a technique used to
find abnormal and oncogenic or malignant cells in the cervical area. It is also
known as smear test or cervical smear, as it mainly targets the cervix which is
the opening of uterus in women. A Pap test detects changes caused by the
sexually transmitted virus named as Human Papilloma Virus.
A woman is more
susceptible to cancer if they have undergone menopause, are sexually active or
are having a weak immune system sue to HIV or organ transplantation.Doctor may
suggest regular PAP test even during pregnancy as the virus may stay dormant
for years before being active any fine day. PAP smear can be done upto 24 weeks
of pregnancy. It is really dreadful to discover an abnormal pap smear when pregnant. All the dreams of starting
a family and having your own baby seem to be crashing down.
A pap smear usually
gives only “abnormal” or “normal” results but according to the Bethesda system, the abnormalities in
a PAPsmear can be grouped into following types-
- Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US)
This means that although the
cells don’t appear normal doctors are unsure of what the cause is. It may be
caused by HPV ( Human Papilloma Virus) but also can be cause by other factors.
This must be followed up after your baby is delivered.
- Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion
This suggests that there is
an early changes in the shape and size of changes caused by HPV. It is a very
mild conditions but should be examined further.
- High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion
A malignant lesion has
formed in your cervix, suggesting cancer.
- Atypical Squamous Cell
This result suggests some
severe changes in the pavement cells of your cervix, may lead to cancer.
- Atypical Glandular Cells
The glandular cells havedevelopedcertain
abnormalities but the reason is still unclear to the doctors.
- Squamous cell carcinoma
In this result, there is
presence of carcinoma cells of the cervix and you must start treatment with
cancer therapies. This also may mean that the cancer has started to spread into
deeper layers of cervix or to other organs.
Whileabnormal
pap test during pregnancyis as scary as a nightmare.The pap smear results
are not very accurate and can always suggest a false positive due to the
inflammatory lateralresponses of cells during pregnancy. A healthcare
professional should be consulted immediately with the results. If the results
are false, you will be freed of your worries and if there is an actual problem
you can discuss the follow up treatment plans. Usually your doctor would wait
till your baby is born to start with the follow up treatments. But the doctor
may keep you under surveillance
by performing a colposcopy every 3 months during your pregnancy. A colposcopy
is safe during pregnancy.
Comments
Post a Comment