In most cases, an abnormal Pap test is a result of: A human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. A sexually transmitted infection (STI or STD), such as herpes or trichomoniasis. A bacterial or yeast infection.
Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US): This is the most common abnormal Pap test finding. It means that some cells don't look completely normal, but it's not clear if the changes are caused by HPV infection.
Most of the abnormal cells found during a Pap test are the result of a cervical or vaginal infection and are not cancerous. Abnormal Pap tests are very common. In fact, of the 3 million women with abnormal Pap tests each year, less than 1% (13,240 cases) will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Most abnormal Pap smear results are nothing to worry about
Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it's important to follow up to make sure.
Cervical cell classes: (A) normal squamous, (B) normal columnar, and (C) low-grade dysplasia; (D) high-grade dysplasia (HGD) with moderate dysplasia, (E) HGD with severe dysplasia, and (F) carcinoma in situ.
Higher risk: Your test results show either HPV infection with types 16 and/or 18, high grade cell changes on your cervix, or persistent infection with one of the other high-risk HPV types (not 16/18). It is important that you have a further follow-up because you may be at a high risk of developing cervical cancer.
What Happens After an Abnormal Pap Test? If your Pap test results are abnormal, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy. If you're told that you need a colposcopy, don't panic, says Coleman.
A Pap test may be done as part of a woman's routine physical examination, because it's the best way to prevent cervical cancer. But having an abnormal test result doesn't mean you have cancer. In fact, the chances that you have cancer are very small.
You may need treatment if the results of your colposcopy show that there are abnormal cells in your cervix. The abnormal cells will be removed, which usually involves removing an area of the cervix about the size of a finger tip.
It's up to 30 percent of people [who] are falsely positive." Women who have a positive Pap smear generally get a colposcopy, which is an even closer examination of the cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease. A false positive could mean going through a biopsy during a colposcopy.
If left untreated, it may take 10 years or more for precancerous conditions of the cervix to turn into cervical cancer, but in rare cases this can happen in less time. Precancerous conditions of the cervix happen in an area called the transformation zone.
Cervical cancer is often treatable. The treatment you have will depend on: the size and type of cervical cancer you have. where the cancer is.
When cervical cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 91%. When cervical cancer is diagnosed after it has spread to nearby tissues, organs, or regional lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate is 60%.
Other causes can explain why you have had an abnormal pap smear. There are other sexually transmitted infections (STI) that can be blamed, as well as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis will also cause changes in your cervical cells. All of these conditions are treatable.
When there are cervical cells that look abnormal but are not yet cancerous, it is called cervical precancer. These abnormal cells may be the first sign of cancer that develops years later. Cervical precancer usually doesn't cause pain or other symptoms. It is found with a pelvic exam or a Pap test.
Results Colposcopy
If no abnormal cells were found, then you will usually be told straight away by the doctor or nurse. You will still need to attend routine cervical screening appointments in the future. If you had a biopsy you may need to wait 4 to 8 weeks to get your results.
Instead of worrying, you should embrace the many benefits this procedure provides. Getting a colposcopy, for example, can be crucial to your overall health and wellbeing. One of the reasons why cervical cancer is rare in the United States is because of colposcopies. They are an excellent diagnostic tool.
A colposcopy is relatively painless. You may feel slight pressure when the speculum enters your vagina. You may feel a slight burning or stinging when the solution comes into contact with your cervix. If you need a biopsy, you may feel a sharp pinch or a sensation like a period cramp when the tissue sample is excised.
Hormonal Issues
Another reason for an abnormal pap smear can be hormonal imbalances. As women age, their cervical wall also ages, producing changes in their cervical cells.
Abnormal Pap smear results are common. According to the National Institutes of Health, 3.8% of Pap tests come back abnormal. Most of the abnormal cells found during a Pap test are the result of a cervical or vaginal infection and are not cancerous.
A specialist called a pathologist will examine the tissue sample from the cervical biopsy and send a report to your doctor. Biopsy results most often take 1 to 2 weeks. A normal result means there is no cancer and no abnormal changes were seen.
Pap test results generally depend upon the lab that examines the sample. Some labs only take three days to process the results, while others may need a week or two.
There are actually lots of reasons your Pap smear may come back “abnormal.” You may have an infection or inflammation, growth or cysts, changes in your hormones (usually due to pregnancy or menopause), problems with your immune system related to diabetes, HIV, or autoimmune diseases.