Histologic and clinical significance of atypical glandular cells on pap smears

Atypical glandular cells and predictive features of malignancy in Pap smears: A retrospective monocentric study

OBJECTIVE

The introduction of cytological screening with the Papanicolau smear significantly reduced cervical cancer mortality. However, Pap smear examination can be challenging, being based on the observer ability to decode different cytological and architectural features. This study aims to evaluate the malignancy rate of AGC (atypical glandular cells) category, investigating the relationships between cytological and histological diagnosis.

METHODS

Eighty-nine patients, diagnosed as AGC at cytological evaluation and followed up with biopsy or surgical procedure at Policlinico Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy, were included in the study. The cytopathological architectural (feathering, rosette formation, overlapping, loss of polarity, papillary formation, three-dimensional formation) and nuclear (N/C ratio, nuclear enlargement and hyperchromasia, mitoses, nuclei irregularity, evident nucleoli) features of AGC were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed to assess cyto-histological correlation and determine the relevance of architectural and nuclear features in the diagnosis of malignancy.

RESULTS

Of the 89 AGC patients, 48 cases (53.93%) were diagnosed as AGC-NOS and 41 (46.07%) were diagnosed as AGC-FN, according to the Bethesda classification system. The follow-up biopsies or surgical resections revealed malignancy in 46 patients (51.69%). The rates of malignancy for AGC-NOS and AGC-FN were 35.41% and 70.73% respectively. Furthermore, analysing cytopathological features, we found that both architectural and nuclear criteria were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Only overlapping, nuclear irregularity and increased N/C ratio were not found to be statistically significant for detecting malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytological diagnosis of glandular lesions remains a valid tool, when appropriate clinical correlation and expert evaluation are available.

Cytologic Parameters in Predicting the Outcome of Atypical Glandular Cells on Papanicolaou Smears: A Single-Institutional Experience

Background

Atypical glandular cells (AGCs) diagnosis on Pap (Papanicolaou) smears are uncommon and may represent various benign and malignant lesions.

Objective

This study aims to report the incidence of AGC on Pap smear, to study the relationship of AGC with malignancy, and to determine cytomorphological features that help in predicting malignancy.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analytical study conducted in the Department of Oncopathology at Tertiary Cancer and Research Institute. In this retrospective study, we included cases diagnosed with AGC between July 2017 to July 2022. All slides were reviewed and subclassified according to the Bethesda 2014 classification system (TBS). The predetermined cytomorphological features observed in the smears were recorded. The follow-up histopathological diagnoses of the cases were retrieved. The significant cytomorphological and clinicopathological findings for malignancy were determined.

Results

Pearson χ2 test with SPSS software version 22 to compare cytologic features of cases with benign and malignant follow-up. The significant cytomorphological features observed in neoplastic cases were cells in 3-dimensional clusters, nuclear overlapping, reniform nucleus, irregular nuclear membrane, increased nuclear size, single macronucleoli, engulfed neutrophils, and prominently vacuolated cytoplasm.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of AGC on cytology is associated with clinically significant lesions, and cytomorphologic parameters can be used to predict the benign and malignant outcome.

2023 Canadian Colposcopy Guideline: A Risk-Based Approach to Management and Surveillance of Cervical Dysplasia

This guideline provides evidence-based guidance on the risk-based management of cervical dysplasia in the colposcopy setting in the context of primary HPV-based screening and HPV testing in colposcopy. Colposcopy management of special populations is also discussed. The guideline was developed by a working group in collaboration with the Gynecologic Oncology Society of Canada (GOC), Society of Colposcopists of Canada (SCC) and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC). The literature informing these guidelines was obtained through a systematic review of the relevant literature via a multi-step search process led by information specialists. The literature was reviewed up to June 2021 with manual searches of relevant national guidelines and more recent publications. Quality of the evidence and strength of recommendations was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. The intended users of this guideline include gynecologists, colposcopists, screening programs and healthcare facilities. Implementation of the recommendations is intended to promote equitable and standardized care for all people undergoing colposcopy in Canada. The risk-based approach aims to improve personalized care and reduce over-/under-treatment in colposcopy.

Role of colposcopy in the management of women with abnormal cytology

Cytology identifies the women who are at higher risk of harboring high-grade cervical premalignant lesions or invasive cancer. However, a diagnostic test such as colposcopy is crucial for women with abnormal cytology for localization of the abnormality, confirmation of diagnosis, and appropriate management. To standardize this subjective technique and to minimize the interobserver variations, Swede scoring system was introduced. The revised colposcopic nomenclature of the International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy in 2011 included various normal and abnormal colposcopic findings and gives a description of colposcopic features which improves its accuracy over the colposcopic indices. There is consensus agreement that cytology indicative of high-grade lesions (ASC-H and HSIL in the Bethesda system) should engender immediate referral for colposcopy and biopsy. The management of women who have equivocal or borderline cytology of low-grade abnormalities (ASCUS/LSIL) is still under deliberation. It is generally agreed to have an HPV triage for women with equivocal cytology. Based on the latest recommendations, the current chapter provides an extensive overview of the role of colposcopy in the management of women with various abnormalities reported on Pap smear.

Atypical glandular cells in Papanicolaou test: Which is more important in the detection of malignancy, architectural or nuclear features?

OBJECTIVE

Atypical glandular cells (AGCs) in Pap (Papanicolaou) smears are uncommon but may represent various benign and malignant lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the AGC incidence in Pap smears, analyse the relationship between AGC and malignancy, and reveal the importance of architectural and nuclear features observed cytologically in malignancies.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with AGC on the basis of cervicovaginal cytology between May 2011 and July 2018 were included in this study. All slides were retrospectively reviewed and subclassified according to the Bethesda 2001 classification system. The cytomorphological features observed in the smears were recorded. Cytohistological correlations were evaluated, and the significant clinicopathological findings for malignancy were determined.

RESULTS

Of 87 536 Pap smears, 195 (0.22%) had AGC results and 156 had tissue follow-up. Among the 156 smears with AGC, 80 (51.3%) were diagnosed as AGC-NOS (atypical glandular cells, not otherwise specified) and 76 (48.7%) as AGC-FN (atypical glandular cells, favour neoplastic). Follow-up biopsies revealed benign pathologies in 49 cases (31.4%) and malignant pathologies in 107 (68.6%). The rate of malignancy observed in AGC-FN cases (89.5%) was higher than the rate of malignancy in AGC-NOS cases (48.8%). Among the cytomorphological features, nuclear irregularity, presence of macronucleoli, feathering, loss of polarity, papillary pattern, and three-dimensional formation were found to be significant indicators of malignancy.

CONCLUSION

As AGC in Pap smear was associated with a clinically significant diagnosis in 68.6% of the cases in our study, we suggest that all patients with AGC should undergo further clinical assessment.

Impact of Patient-Directed Cytology Results Correspondence Program on Follow-Up of High-Grade Pap Tests

OBJECTIVE

Proper follow-up of high-grade (HG) Pap tests is critical to the prevention of cervical cancer. This study evaluated the impact of a patient-directed cytology results correspondence program on follow-up of HG Pap tests among at-risk women aged 21 to 69 in Ontario.

METHODS

A cohort study with a historical control was used to investigate the impact of a result letter on adherence to follow-up after an HG Pap test. Analyses were conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. The intervention group was defined as women with an HG Pap test in 2014-2016, and the control group included women with an HG Pap test in 2010-2012. Follow-up was defined as a colposcopy or related treatments within 6 months of an HG Pap test. Factors that could influence adherence to follow-up were included as covariates in a multivariable logistic regression model (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2).

RESULTS

The study population comprised 7088 women in the intervention group and 6887 women in the non-intervention group. The follow-up rate in the intervention group was 86.2% compared with 81.0% in the non-intervention group. Controlling for covariates, women in the intervention group were more likely to have a follow-up (adjusted odds ratio 1.5; 95% confidence interval 1.3-1.6). Other significant factors included being registered to a family physician and the physician's gender.

CONCLUSIONS

A patient-directed correspondence program that provides Pap test results directly to the woman may reduce loss to follow-up for an HG abnormality, with an increased likelihood that these women will seek and complete a colposcopy and related treatment.

Pathologic findings in women with atypical glandular cells on Pap test

INTRODUCTION

It has been shown that a significant subset of atypical glandular cells (AGC) indicates underlying malignancies. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize, diagnose, and treat these lesions early. We evaluated the clinical significance of AGC on cervical cytology in our hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 376 consecutive Pap tests with a diagnosis of AGC between January 2005 and January 2011 at a tertiary community hospital were reviewed and correlated with concurrent or follow-up histopathology.

RESULTS

Over a 6-year period 376 (0.23%) Pap tests were reported as AGC. Histopathology was available in 223 cases. Atypical hyperplasia, dysplasia, or malignant lesion was found in 128 (57.4%) cases. Of these, 80 (62.5%) were glandular lesions. In women younger than 48 years benign lesions (52.9%) were more common. Women who were 48 years and older were more likely to have a malignant glandular lesion (56 out of 73, 76.7%) compared with women under 48 years, who were more likely to have a malignant squamous lesion (31 out of 55, 56.4%).This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.002). Malignant lesion was seen in 58 (26%) of the women. Endometrial carcinoma (30 cases) was the most common malignancy-51.7% of the malignant lesions and 13.4% overall. Chronic cervicitis and endometritis were the most common non-malignant findings.

CONCLUSION

AGC on Pap test may be the initial manifestation of a wide range of cervical pathologies. Because many AGC diagnoses did not have a histopathological follow-up, clinicans should be more diligent at having patients follow up, especially in peri- and post-menopausal women.

Pap smears with glandular cell abnormalities: Are they detected by rapid prescreening?

BACKGROUND

Rapid prescreening (RPS) is one of the quality assurance (QA) methods used in gynecologic cytology. The efficacy of RPS has been previously studied but mostly with respect to squamous lesions; in fact, there has been no study so far specifically looking at the sensitivity of RPS for detecting glandular cell abnormalities.

METHODS

A total of 80,565 Papanicolaou (Pap) smears underwent RPS during a 25-month period. A sample was designated as "review for abnormality" (R) if any abnormal cells (at the threshold of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance/atypical glandular cells [AGC]) were thought to be present or was designated as negative (N) if none were detected. Each sample then underwent full screening (FS) and was designated as either R or N and also given a cytologic interpretation.

RESULTS

The final cytologic interpretation was a glandular cell abnormality (≥AGC) in 107 samples (0.13%); 39 of these (36.4%) were flagged as R on RPS. Twenty-four patients (33.8%) out of 71 who had histologic follow-up were found to harbor a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or carcinoma; 13 of those 24 Pap smears (54.2%) had been flagged as R on RPS. Notably, 11 AGC cases were picked up by RPS only and not by FS and represented false-negative cases; 2 of these showed endometrial adenocarcinoma on histologic follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Pap smears with glandular cell abnormalities are often flagged as abnormal by RPS, and this results in a sensitivity of 36.4% (at the AGC threshold). Most importantly, some cases of AGC are detected on Pap smears by RPS only, and this demonstrates that RPS is a valuable QA method.

Atypical endometrial cells and atypical glandular cells favor endometrial origin in Papanicolaou cervicovaginal tests: Correlation with histologic follow-up and abnormal clinical presentations

The 2001 Bethesda system recommends further classifying atypical glandular cells (AGCs) as either endocervical or endometrial origin. Numerous studies have investigated the clinical significance of AGC. In this study, we investigated the incidence of clinically significant lesions among women with liquid-based Papanicolaou cervicovaginal (Pap) interpretations of atypical endometrial cells (AEMs) or AGC favor endometrial origin (AGC-EM). More importantly, we correlated patients of AEM or AGC-EM with their clinical presentations to determine if AEM/AGC-EM combined with abnormal vaginal bleeding is associated with a higher incidence of significant endometrial pathology. All liquid-based Pap tests with an interpretation of AEM and AGC-EM from July, 2004 through June, 2009 were retrieved from the database. Women with an interpretation of atypical endocervical cells, AGC, favor endocervical origin or AGC, favor neoplastic were not included in the study. The most severe subsequent histologic diagnoses were recorded for each patient. During this 5-year period, we accessioned 332,470 Pap tests of which 169 (0.05%) were interpreted as either AEM or AGC-EM. Of the 169 patients, 133 had histologic follow-up within the health care system. The patients ranged in age from 21 to 71 years old (mean 49.7). On follow-up histology, 27 (20.3%) had neoplastic/preneoplastic uterine lesions. Among them, 20 patients were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (18 endometrial, 1 endocervical, and 1 metastatic colorectal), 3 with atypical endometrial hyperplasia, and 4 with endometrial hyperplasia without atypia. All patients with significant endometrial pathology, except one, were over 40 years old, and 22 of 25 patients reported abnormal vaginal bleeding at the time of endometrial biopsy or curettage. This study represents a large series of women with liquid-based Pap test interpretations of AEM and AGC-EM with clinical follow-up. Significant preneoplastic or neoplastic endometrial lesions were identified in 20.3% of patients. Patients with Pap test interpretations of AEM or AGC-EM and the clinical presentation of abnormal vaginal bleeding should be followed closely.

Colposcopic management of abnormal cervical cytology and histology

OBJECTIVE

To provide a guideline for managing abnormal cytology results after screening for cervical cancer, to clarify the appropriate algorithms for follow-up after treatment, and to promote the best possible care for women while ensuring efficient use of available resources.

OUTCOMES

Women with abnormal cytology are at risk of developing cervical cancer; appropriate triage and treatment will reduce this risk. This guideline will facilitate implementation of common standards across Canada, moving away from the current trend of individual guidelines in each province and territory.

EVIDENCE

Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed or Medline, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library in October 2008 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g., colposcopy, cervical dysplasia) and key words (e.g., colposcopy management, CIN, AGC, cervical dysplasia, LEEP, LLETZ, HPV testing, cervical dysplasia triage). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date or language restrictions. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to July 2012. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology assessment-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, and national and international medical specialty societies. Expert opinion from published peer-reviewed literature and evidence from clinical trials is summarized. Consensus opinion is outlined when evidence is insufficient.

VALUES

The quality of the evidence is rated using the criteria described by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1).

VALIDATION

This guideline has been reviewed for accuracy from content experts in cytology, pathology, and cervical screening programs. Guideline content was also compared with similar documents from other organizations including the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, the British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the European Cancer Network.

Management of borderline change in endocervical cells: a more dependable approach

Background:

There are limited data and guidance from the UK on borderline nuclear change in endocervical cells (BNCs). The objective of this study is to determine the clinical outcome of women with BNCs, to determine the accuracy of colposcopy and propose a more robust management algorithm.

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of all BNC referrals between January 2006 and December 2011 at the Northumbria Healthcare Trust. Histological diagnosis was based on high-grade histology (CIN 2 or worse). Any high-grade histology in the first year of follow-up was included in the final diagnosis.

Results:

Of the 9001 new referrals, 167 women had BNCs. Thirty-seven (22%) were diagnosed with high-grade histology on initial assessment. Sixty women had satisfactory and negative colposcopy, out of which 7 (12%) were detected with high-grade histology/cytology in the first year of follow-up. Overall, 50 high-grade histology (30%), including two invasive carcinomas were detected.

Conclusions:

Current follow-up of BNCs relies heavily on colposcopic assessment. A significant proportion of women with negative colposcopy was found to have high-grade histology in the first year of follow-up. We propose a more robust management algorithm to lower the probability of missed high-grade histology in this subgroup of women.