Spectrum of Cervical Cytology Findings: Analysis of 800 Pap Smears in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chikkamagaluru

Abstract

Background: Cervical Cancer remains a significant public health concern in India, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Pap smear screening is a vital tool for early detection of precancerous and cancerous lesions. This study aims to evaluate cervical cytology findings in 800 cases at a tertiary care hospital in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a two year period, analyzing 800 pap smears collected from women attending the Gynecology Outpatient Department. The smears were stained using the Papanicolaou method and categorized based on the Bethesda System 2014.Demographic and clinical data were also reviewed.

Results: Among the 800 cases, 71% smears were reported as Negative For Intraepithelial Lesion/ Malignancy (NILM), with infections such as Bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis being the most common findings. Low Grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) were observed in 1.8%, while High grade squamous Intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) accounted for 1.7%. Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) were noted in 25% of cases. And invasive carcinoma was diagnosed in 0.25%. Women in the age group of 30-50 years exhibited the highest prevalence of abnormal cytology.

Conclusion: This study highlights the utility of Pap Smear screening in detecting a spectrum of cervical abnormalities, including precancerous lesions. Strengthening awareness and accessibility to cervical screening in rural regions like Chikkamagaluru is crucial for reducing the burden of cervical cancer.