SGO researchers urge special treatment of atypical glandular cells found in pap smears; less common atypical glandular cells show significantly higher abnormalities than atypical squamous cells.CHICAGO--(HealthWire)--Oct. 3, 1996--Atypical glandular glandular /glan·du·lar/ (glan´du-ler) 1. pertaining to or of the nature of a gland. 2. glanular. glan·du·lar adj. 1. cells detected on cervical pap smears indicate significant cervical pathology in 17 percent of cases and require immediate work-up and biopsy, according to research reported in today's release of the October issue of the journal Gynecologic Oncology, the scientific publication of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a national society of physicians trained in treating female reproductive cancers, especially gynecologic oncologists. (SGO SGO Society of Gynecologic Oncologists SGO Student Government Organization SGO Surgeon General's Office SGO Standard Garrison Organization SGO St George, Queensland, Australia - St George (Airport Code) SGO Office of the Secretary General ). Although Atypical Glandular Cells of Undetermined Significance (AGCUS AGCUS Atypical Glandular Cells of Unknown Significance ) were found in only 0.2 percent of the more than 68,000 pap smears analyzed in this five-year study, compared with 4.5 percent having the more common Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS as·cus n. pl. as·ci A membranous, often club-shaped structure in which typically eight spores are formed through sexual reproduction of ascomycetes. ascus pl. asci; the spore case of Ascomycetes. ), AGCUS results were much more ominous. ASCUS often indicates infection or reparative re·par·a·tive also re·par·a·to·ry adj. 1. Tending to repair. 2. Relating to or of the nature of reparations. changes and frequently only requires repeat pap smears. However, in this study, which reviewed a series of 77 patients with AGCUS found on cytology screening exams, researchers discovering underlying cancer and/or significant precancerous lesions in 17 percent of evaluated patients. "Gynecologists aren't seeing a great deal of AGCUS in their offices because of its relative rarity. Therefore, women with AGCUS are often lumped into the same triage triage Division of patients for priority of care, usually into three categories: those who will not survive even with treatment; those who will survive without treatment; and those whose survival depends on treatment. as ASCUS," said study leader, Alexander W. Kennedy, M.D., Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. "But nearly 20 percent of these AGCUS smears will turn out to have significant abnormalities and need to be treated immediately and very differently than women with ASCUS results." Based on their experience, these researchers have established institutional guidelines indicating that patients with AGCUS on cytologic screening undergo immediate, intensive diagnostic studies including colposcopy Colposcopy Definition Colposcopy is a procedure that allows a physician to take a closer look at a woman's cervix and vagina using a special instrument called a colposcope. It is used to check for precancerous or abnormal areas. , endocervical curettage and endometrial biopsy. "Cervical adenocarcinomas are increasing in frequency, especially in young women. Physicians can't miss this opportunity to detect these lesions early or at a pre-cancerous stage," said SGO President David M. Gershenson, M.D. -0- The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) is the only United States-based medical organization dedicated solely to the prevention, detection and cure of female cancers. Internet: www.sgo.org; 1-800-444-4441. Gynecologic Oncology is published by Allen Press. Editor's Note: For the full abstract, contact Lisa Kamen at SGO headquarters at 312/644-6610, ext. 3232. CONTACT: The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, Chicago Lisa Kamen, 312/644-6610, ext. 3232 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion