Comparison of atypical glandular cells on cervical Pap smears and histopathology in Khon Kaen Hospital

Abstract

Glandular lesions of female genital tract have always been a challenge for pathologists. The cytological diagnosis of these lesions is difficult because of their inherent complexity and the lack of experience of many cytopathologists in this field. The aim of this study was to evaluate histopathologic outcome of Pap smear reports as atypical glandular cells. The study was conducted in Section of Anatomical Pathology, Khon Kaen Hospital, Thailand, from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012. In 61,837 cervicovaginal smears, 1596 cases (2.58%) are positive for Pap test. Only 81 cases are categorized as glandular cell abnormalities. Atypical glandular cells is the most common of glandular cell lesion (49 cases, 0.08%), followed by adenocarcinoma (16 cases, 0.03%), adenocarcinoma in situ (11 cases, 0.02%), and extrauterine adenocarcinoma (5 cases, 0.008%). In 81 cases of glandular cell abnormalities, there are 65 cases (80.2%) with histologic follow-up. The Pap smear slides and consecutive H&E slides had been reviewed by an experienced cytotechnologist and pathologist who were not involved in the original cytological and pathological diagnosis.