How useful are cervical Pap smears in detecting endometrial carcinomas? A tertiary cancer center experience
AbstractObjectiveTo determine the role of routine cervical Pap smears in detecting endometrial carcinomas.MethodA retrospective study was carried out from the histopathology archives for cases diagnosed as endometrial carcinomas with Pap smears within 6 months before histological diagnosis. The demographic details, reports of Pap smears and other tumor parameters on histopathology were noted.ResultsWe identified 380 of 482 cases of endometrial carcinoma with a documented Pap smear within 6 months before histopathogical diagnosis. Out of 380 cases, 187 cases (49.2%) had shown abnormalities on Pap smear of which 80 cases (42%) were diagnosed as atypical glandular cells and 78 cases (41.7%) were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. The presence of glandular abnormality on Pap smear significantly correlated with the tumor type, myometrial invasion and cervical involvement on histopathology (P < .05). Cases which had higher FIGO staging also had a higher detection rate on Pap smear (P < .05).ConclusionThe Pap smear may help in detection of endometrial carcinoma especially in cases with type 2 endometrial carinomas, tumor with cervical involvement and/or advanced FIGO stage.
