Pathology of Cervix, Vagina, and Vulva 3 Flashcards

Identify the basic principles behind the pap test and high risk HPV testing.

1
Q

What is the pap test?

A
  • Exfoliation of cells from the surface of the cervix with a brush or broom
    • Actual tissue usually not obtained
  • If dysplasia is identified, can be graded and managed accordingly
  • Most valuable screening test for reducing cancer mortality and has led to a dramatic delcine in the past century
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2
Q

What are some downsides of the pap test?

A
  • Requiers a confirmatory test
    • colposcopy and bx
  • Not 100% sensitive
    • now combined with high risk HPV testing
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3
Q

What courses of action are taken based on pap test results?

A
  • Mild dysplasia - observation since most regress
  • Moderate to severe dysplasia - excision with subsequent procedure
  • Invasive carcinoma - can be detected but the goal of the pap test is to identify and prevent early dysplasia
  • Increasingly used with assays that detect HPV in the cells to increase sensitivity
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