Atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance: a five-year retrospective histopathologic study.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to ascertain the types and frequency of pathologic conditions associated with atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance on Papanicolaou smears.


METHODS
A 5-year retrospective review of screening cervical cytologic examinations diagnosed as atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance was performed at the University of Virginia to determine pathologic findings associated with atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance on Papanicolaou smears stratified by subtype and overall.


RESULTS
Pathologic findings for the respective Papanicolaou smears with the diagnosis of atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance not otherwise specified, favor benign, squamous intraepithelial lesions, and favor neoplasia through the follow-up interval were as follows: squamous intraepithelial lesions in 11%, 8%, 38%, and 20%; adenocarcinoma in situ in 3%, 0%, 0%, and 10%; endometrial hyperplasia in 3%, 5%, 1%, and 2%; and cancer in 8%, 3%, 1%, and 7%. Overall, 63 patients (32%) had preinvasive or invasive lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance on Papanicolaou smears were correlated with significant findings in 45% of patients (32% with preinvasive or invasive lesions and 13% with benign lesions). A prompt and aggressive workup is recommended.
Veljovich
D S
DS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22906, USA.
Stoler
M H
MH
Andersen
W A
WA
Covell
J L
JL
Rice
L W
LW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014626:Vaginal Smears