Follow-up study of atypical glandular cells in gynecologic cytology using conventional Pap smears and liquid-based preparations: impact of the Bethesda System 2001.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the impact of the Bethesda System (TBS) 2001 in reporting of atypical glandular cells (AGC) when using conventional Pap smears (CS) and liquid-based cytology preparations (LBC).


METHODS
Follow-up information for all atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS)/ AGC cases encountered in Queen Mary Hospital from July 2000 to June 2004 was analyzed. The difference in percentages associated with certain end points when using different reporting systems and preparation methods were compared. The age trends and time interval between cytologic diagnosis and detection of positive end points were studied.


RESULTS
More than half of these cases turned out to be "negative." The majority with "negative" end points belonged to the "not otherwise specified" (NOS) groups (including atypical endometrial cells) in TBS 2001. The connotation of "favor neoplastic" carried a high positive predictive value for significant lesions. Most of the significant outcomes were discovered within the subsequent 6 months. A decreased reporting of "AGC, NOS" and an increased reporting of "atypical endocervical cells, NOS" were noted when using LBC.


CONCLUSIONS
Subcategorization of AGC in TBS 2001 according to cellular origin and risk of malignancy, which is further enhanced by application of LBC, is useful.
Lee
Chris Yick-Kwong
CY
Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
Ng
Wai-Kuen
WK
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000592:standards*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*