Abstract

Background: Cervical cancers are the second most frequent type of female cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer.

Objective: The aim is to detect cytomorphological changes of HPV and herpes simplex virus (HSV) to early diagnose cervical cancer to prevent it at early stage.

Materials and Methods: The study includes total 1542 patients presenting with the complaints of vaginal discharge and/or associated symptoms. Samples were taken, and prepared smear was stained with papanicolaou (PAP) stain and reporting was done according to The Bethesda system - 2014. The study was prospective study and statically analyzed.

Results: Totally, 1542 PAP smears were analyzed. Out of which, normal smears 364 (23.61%), inadequate smears 58 (3.76%), inflammatory smear 1093 cases (70.88%), and epithelial cell abnormality comprises 27 cases (1.75%). Out of 27 cases, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance was the most common epithelial cell abnormality (63%). Cytomorphological features of HPV infection are seen in 2 cases of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 2 cases of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 5 cases of the malignant lesion while inflammatory smear suspicious of HSV comprises 2 cases (0.13%).

Conclusions: The incidence of cervical cancer can be decreased if PAP smear screening is done at an early age and in the females having high-risk factors.

Key words: Papanicolaou Smear; Epithelial Cell Abnormality; Cytodiagnosis; Discharge Per Vaginum