Cervical Smear Flashcards
commonest cancer that can be detected even at the pre-invasive stage
uterine cervix cancer
Cervical cytology screening involves cell samples from:
Ecto- and endocervix
Stain used in cervical smear
Papanicolaou (Pap) method.
T/F.
cervical cytology is a screening test, abnormal findings must be confirmed histologically.
True
PAP Smear Patient Preparation
- abstain from coitus
- not douche the vagina for at least a day
- not apply intravaginal preparations for at least one week before the examination
- Smears should not be taken during menstrual bleeding,
Contaminants that can obscure the cells during examination (PAP smear)
- Blood
- Endometrial component
- Tissue debris
Collecting Systems to retrieve gynecology cells:
- Cotton swabs
- Wooden or plastic spatula
- Cervical brushes; “cytobrushes”
Collecting system that retrieve more endocervical cells and blood = valuation difficulties
Brush biopsies
discouraged because of the drying artifacts and loss of cells that are caused by this method
Cotton swab
Preferable to use, with mildly rough surface that can collect more materials
Wooden spatula
used strictly for taking materials from endocervix
Endo-cervical brushing
Excessively thin or thick smears can result in
false-negative reports
