AGUS Pap Smear

Aka: AGUS Pap Smear, Atypical Glandular Cells of Undetermined Significance

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II. Epidemiology

  1. Incidence: 0.18 to 0.74% of Pap Smears

III. Pathophysiology

  1. Not equivalent to ASCUS Pap Smear
  2. Much higher likelihood of associated Cervical Dysplasia
    1. No abnormality on Colposcopy: 50 to 80%
      1. See benign causes below
    2. Significant abnormality on Colposcopy: 20 to 50%
      1. See significant causes below

IV. Causes: AGUS Pap Smear

  1. Significant abnormalities
    1. Cervical Dysplasia associated with squamous lesions
    2. Adenocarcinoma in situ
    3. Adenocarcinoma
  2. Benign abnormalities
    1. Metaplasia
    2. Endometriosis
    3. Arias-Stella reaction associated with pregnancy
    4. Endocervical polyps

V. Signs: Colposcopy of Adenocarcinoma and AIS (subtle)

  1. Typical squamous Cervical Dysplasia findings not seen
  2. Findings (observe before acetic acid application)
    1. Dull orange or yellow (adenocarcinoma)
    2. Occurs in transition zone under columnar epithelium
    3. Variegated red and white lesions
    4. Papillary lesions
    5. Large gland openings
    6. Unusual vascular patterns
      1. Vessels in pattern of tendrils or roots
      2. Vessels in pattern of written characters

VI. Evaluation

  1. Colposcopy with directed biopsy in all endocervical sample in all AGUS and
  2. Endometrial Biopsy indications
    1. Age over 35 years or
    2. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or
    3. Atypical endometrial cells on Pap Smear cytology

VII. Management: AGUS Favor Reactive or NOS (2014 and 2019 Guidelines)

  1. Positive Colposcopy (CIN 2 or worse, but no glandular neoplasia)
    1. See 'Favor Neoplasia' below if glandular neoplasia
  2. Negative Colposcopy and ECC (No CIN 2,3 AIS or Cancer)
    1. Cotest HPV and Cervical Cytology in 12 and 24 months
    2. Colposcopy if any abnormality, otherwise repeat HPV and Cervical Cytology in 3 years

VIII. Management: AGUS Pap Smear Favor Neoplasia or AIS (2014 Guidelines)

  1. Perform Colposcopy
    1. Negative ECC: Cone biopsy (or other diagnostic excisional procedure) as below
    2. Positive ECC: Consider Hysterectomy
  2. Perform Cone Biopsy (Cold-knife conization) with interpretable margins
    1. Cone Biopsy positive for Cervical Cancer
      1. Radical Hysterectomy with or without radiation
    2. Cone Biopsy positive for Adenocarcinoma in situ
      1. Simple Hysterectomy
    3. Cone Biopsy negative
      1. Consider Endometrial Biopsy (esp. age over 35)

IX. Resources

  1. (2014) ASCCP Guidelines
    1. http://www.asccp.org/Guidelines-2/Management-Guidelines-2
  2. (2019) ASCCP Guidelines
    1. https://www.asccp.org/management-guidelines

X. References

  1. Apgar (2009) Am Fam Physician 80(2): 147-55 [PubMed]
  2. Cox (1997) J Low Genit Tract Dis 1:41-5 [PubMed]
  3. Kaferle (2001) Am Fam Physician 63(11):2239-44 [PubMed]
  4. Dinh (1999) J Low Genit Tract Dis 3:73-6 [PubMed]
  5. Wright (2002) J Low Genit Tract Dis 6:127-43 [PubMed]

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