Atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance in cervical cytologic findings.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to increase our understanding of the clinical significance of atypical glandular cells of undetermined origin.


METHODS
All cytologic Papanicolaou smears were reviewed and classified within the context of the Bethesda classification system. Charts of all patients with a diagnosis of atypical glandular cells of undetermined origin were reviewed for previous medical history, diagnostic study, histologic diagnosis, and prior Papanicolaou smear abnormalities.


RESULTS
The incidence of atypical glandular cells of undetermined origin in 76,018 Papanicolaou smears was 0.196%. We reviewed 133 patient medical records with cytologic diagnoses. Eighty of these patients have had appropriate follow-up. Thirty-six (45%) of these were found to have significant histologic abnormalities, including 6 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, grades 2 and 3, and 4 invasive cancers.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of underlying serious histologic changes is much greater in atypical glandular cells than in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. On the basis of our results, we believe that all patients with atypical glandular cells should undergo intensive evaluation including colposcopy, cervical biopsy, and endocervical curettage. When diagnosis cannot be clearly established, patient should undergo endometrial biopsy.
Manetta
A
A
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
Keefe
K
K
Lin
F
F
Ahdoot
D
D
Kaleb
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000145:classification*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*