Atypical Papanicolaou smear in pregnancy. 2005

Thomas P Connolly, and A C Evans
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marshfield Clinic-Wausau Center, 2727 Plaza Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, USA. connolly.thomas@mashfieldclinic.org

Atypical glandular cells (AGC) in Papanicolaou (Pap) smears can be associated with premalignant and malignant cervical and endometrial lesions. AGC is difficult to diagnose in pregnancy due to confusion with normal cellular changes that accompany graviditas. While guidelines have been established for management of AGC cases in the non-pregnant patient, special considerations are required when this is discovered during a pregnancy. A routine Pap smear performed on a 29-year-old woman being seen for a history of infertility yielded AGC and a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. The patient achieved pregnancy 1 month later. Satisfactory colposcopic exam was performed with cytobrush sampling of the endocervical canal, in addition to 2 exocervical biopsies at 11 weeks gestation. Positive diagnosis of endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ resulted in a risk-informed decision to proceed with a cold knife conization of the cervix. Final pathology showed complete resection of the lesion with negative margins and an additional area of squamous dysplasia (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, grade II to III). Appropriate follow-up was recommended. AGC found upon Pap smear during a pregnancy can be associated with significant pathology for which an aggressive management approach is warranted.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011252 Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic The co-occurrence of pregnancy and NEOPLASMS. The neoplastic disease may precede or follow FERTILIZATION. Complications, Neoplastic Pregnancy,Neoplastic Pregnancy Complications,Pregnancy, Neoplastic Complications,Complication, Neoplastic Pregnancy,Neoplastic Pregnancy Complication,Pregnancies, Neoplastic Complications,Pregnancy Complication, Neoplastic
D002278 Carcinoma in Situ A lesion with cytological characteristics associated with invasive carcinoma but the tumor cells are confined to the epithelium of origin, without invasion of the basement membrane. Carcinoma, Intraepithelial,Carcinoma, Preinvasive,Intraepithelial Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Intraepithelial,Intraepithelial Carcinoma,Intraepithelial Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Intraepithelial,Preinvasive Carcinoma
D002578 Uterine Cervical Dysplasia Abnormal development of immature squamous EPITHELIAL CELLS of the UTERINE CERVIX, a term used to describe premalignant cytological changes in the cervical EPITHELIUM. These atypical cells do not penetrate the epithelial BASEMENT MEMBRANE. Cervical Dysplasia,Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia,Cervix Dysplasia,Dysplasia of Cervix Uteri,Neoplasia, Cervical Intraepithelial,Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Grade III,Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasms,Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Cervical,Cervical Dysplasia, Uterine,Cervical Dysplasias,Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasm,Cervix Uteri Dysplasia,Cervix Uteri Dysplasias,Dysplasia, Cervical,Dysplasia, Cervix,Dysplasia, Uterine Cervical,Intraepithelial Neoplasm, Cervical,Intraepithelial Neoplasms, Cervical,Neoplasm, Cervical Intraepithelial,Neoplasms, Cervical Intraepithelial
D002583 Uterine Cervical Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the UTERINE CERVIX. Cancer of Cervix,Cancer of the Cervix,Cancer of the Uterine Cervix,Cervical Cancer,Cervical Neoplasms,Cervix Cancer,Cervix Neoplasms,Neoplasms, Cervical,Neoplasms, Cervix,Uterine Cervical Cancer,Cancer, Cervical,Cancer, Cervix,Cancer, Uterine Cervical,Cervical Cancer, Uterine,Cervical Cancers,Cervical Neoplasm,Cervical Neoplasm, Uterine,Cervix Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Cervix,Neoplasm, Uterine Cervical,Uterine Cervical Cancers,Uterine Cervical Neoplasm
D002584 Cervix Uteri The neck portion of the UTERUS between the lower isthmus and the VAGINA forming the cervical canal. Cervical Canal of the Uterus,Cervical Canal, Uterine,Ectocervix,Endocervical Canal,Endocervix,External Os Cervix,External Os of the Cervix,Uterine Cervical Canal,Cervix,Cervixes,Uterine Cervix,Canal, Endocervical,Canal, Uterine Cervical,Cervix, External Os,Cervix, Uterine,Endocervical Canals,Uterine Cervical Canals
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001706 Biopsy Removal and pathologic examination of specimens from the living body. Biopsies

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