Objective: To evaluate the histologic outcome of Pap smears reported as atypical glandular cells (AGC).
Study design: Cervical cytology smears reported as AGC were reviewed and correlated with histologic follow-up.
Results: Of a total of 41,500 Pap smears performed at Alexandra Hospital during 2000-2002, 113 (0.2%) were reported as AGC. Of these, 64 were classified as AGC not otherwise specified (NOS) (56.6%), 48 AGC favor neoplasia (42.5%) and 1 (0.9%) adenocarcinoma in situ. All these women underwent histological evaluation. The mean age of the patients was 52 years. Significant abnormality was found in 30 women (26.5%). Eleven percent of women with smears reported as AGC NOS and 45.8% of those with AGC favor neoplasia had significant abnormality. Of these patients, 14 (12.4%) had endometrial involvement, whereas cervical abnormalities were identified in the remaining 16 (14.1%). Older women were more likely to have involvement of the endometrium and younger women, involvement of the cervix.
Conclusion: Cytologic criteria and patient age might effectively direct the clinician toward the likely origin of AGC.