|  | Family Health | Womens Health

Agus Vs. Ascus Pap Smear

AGUS and ASCUS are two of the possible abnormal results on a Pap smear. In both cases, there is "unknown significance" (US), meaning that the extent of the abnormality could not be gauged by the Pap smear.

  1. AGUS

    • AGUS stands for atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance. This means that some of the glandular cells that produce mucus in the cervix and uterus are abnormal, but it is unknown whether cancer is present, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    ASCUS

    • ASCUS is an abbreviation for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. According to the Mayo Clinic, cancer is not present in this test result, but testing for human papillomavirus, or HPV, is conducted to determine risks.

    ASCUS Follow-Up

    • Further testing may be required if a woman is found to have contracted HPV, although an ASCUS result is not serious if no HPV is present, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Repeat Pap

    • A doctor may recommend another Pap test be performed six months after an abnormal result, according to Medline Plus.

    Considerations

    • Most abnormal Pap results do not indicate the presence of cancer, according to WomensHealth.gov.

Womens Health - Related Articles