title: Weeding atypical glandular cell look-alikes from the true atypical lesions in liquid-based Pap tests: a review.
abstract: The purpose of this review is to identify features that separate atypical glandular cells (AGC) associated with glandular neoplasia from its mimickers, both benign and neoplastic. We reviewed cases of AGC diagnosed on liquid-based Pap tests (LBP) for which corresponding histological follow-up was available. A review of the literature for similar studies in LBP tests was also conducted. We find that certain benign mimics can be reliably separated from AGC, but recommend caution in attempting to increase specificity at the risk of losing sensitivity. Although accounting for only a small percentage of diagnoses AGC require a thorough clinical evaluation, including colposcopy. Most cases are ultimately found to be benign. When evaluating smears suspicious for AGC, it is important to examine the subtle features which make truly atypical cells discernible from their numerous benign mimickers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. moira.wood@mail.tju.edu
authors.forename: Moira D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Horst
authors.forename: Marluce
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bibbo
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards