Atypical squamous cells (ASC) of the cervix
Atypical squamous cells (ASC) are abnormal cells found on a Pap test, but the reason for the abnormalities is not known. The causes of ASC include infection or inflammation.
ASC is further classified as:
- ASC of undetermined significance (ASC-US).
- ASC but cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [HSIL] (ASC-H).
If you have ASC-US abnormalities, your health professional will probably recommend watchful waiting or human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. ASC-H abnormalities have a higher risk of being identified as more severe changes and are evaluated with colposcopy.
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH Carrie Henley | Last Updated: April 10, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Barbara S. Apgar, MD, MS - Family Medicine, Women's Health Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
 | ||
| |