Atypical Endocervical Cells: Zooming in with CytoProcessor®
What do you do when you see these cells in an LBC Pap smear, from a young woman between the ages of 30 and 40, whom you're screening?
The 1st question seeing these cells: "What type of cells are these?"
"Squamous, Endocervical, Endometrial, or other?"
Answer: Endocervical
Followed by the 2nd question: "Are these cells Normal or Abnormal?"
Answer: Abnormal cells, because the endocervical cells are not arranged in a neat palisade pattern or in a honeycomb pattern.
Why?
It's clear that these endocervical cells are arranged in sheets and strips, and there are some cell and nuclear overlap; you also see pseudostratification, but the cell borders are still clearly recognizable. PICTURE 1
The nuclei show nuclear engagement, and the N/C ratio is around 50%. PICTURE 2
The nuclei exhibit anisonucleosis; you can clearly see irregularities in the chromatin and, occasionally, a nucleus. PICTURE 3
Your preliminary diagnosis: Atypical Glandular Cells (AGC)
Why is it so important to recognize and diagnose AGC?
Because since the introduction of cervical cancer screening in the late 80's, the number of young women, in particular who are diagnosed with and die from endocervical adenocarcinoma, has never decreased.
In addition, there has been a steady increase for many years.
In contrast, mortality from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has decreased by 80%!
In the early stages of AIS/ADC, there are virtually no clinical symptoms that might prompt a patient to ahve a Pap test.
Tip: Next time a test is positive, but cytology shows no abnormal cells, always consider the possibility that abnormal endocervical cells may be present!Ìf no endocervical cells are present, request a repeat Pap test, noting that it is crucial for cells from the transformation zone to be present to make a reliable diagnosis.
CytoProcessor® supports you in screening for abnormal endocervical cells, as it preselects these cells for you and displays them immediately as you open a case. PICTURE 4
— Annette W. Hamminga (CTIAC), Digital Cytology Expert at Datexim
Read the articles : Pathologyoutlines - cervixcytologyagc ; Early Detection of Endocervical Adenocarcinoma and Adenocarcinoma in Situ
CytoProcessor® is a CE marked IVD device, intended for use by healthcare professionals only. Please consult the user guide provided by the manufacturer, DATEXIM, for detailed conditions of use and recommendations for safe and effective operation.
PICTURE 1
ThinPrep | Zeiss LH270 | 40x
Endocervical cells with pseudostratification, crowding and nuclear enlargement.
PICTURE 2
ThinPrep | Zeiss LH270 | 40x
The endocervical cells are arranged in sheets and strips with some nuclear enlargement, and a part of the cells show an N/C ratio of around 50%.
PICTURE 3
ThinPrep | Zeiss LH270 | 40x
Endocervical cells with irregularities in the chromatin and, occasionally, a nucleus.
PICTURE 4
CytoProcessor® | At first glance, you can easily see Atypical Endocervical Cells
With CytoProcessor®, you can quickly and easily compare normal endocervical cells (on the right part of the screen) with the atypical endocervical cells (in the abnormal gallery on the left).
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