Importance of atypical glandular cells of uncertain significance in cervical cytologic smears

J Reprod Med. 1998 Sep;43(9):774-8.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the clinical implications of atypical glandular cells of uncertain significance (AGCUS) in cervical cytologic smears.

Study design: Retrospective analysis.

Results: Eighty-eight of 32,181 (0.27%) cervical smears obtained during the study period contained AGCUS. Of the 47 women with AGCUS, 16 had intraepithelial or invasive neoplasms (34%; 95% confidence interval, 21-49%), including 9 low or high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 1 adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix, 3 adenocarcinomas of the cervix, 2 adenocarcinomas of the endometrium and 1 adenoid basal cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of cervical and endometrial neoplasia among women with the isolated finding of AGCUS on cervical cytologic smears warrants a thorough diagnostic evaluation.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cervix Uteri / pathology*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vaginal Smears*