RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pitfalls in Pap test could be defined as false positive, false negative, or underdiagnosed results which can lead to unnecessary diagnostic procedures or delayed and inadequate treatment. It can be a consequence of misinterpretation of certain morphological entities which are described in this paper. SUMMARY: The paper presents an overview of the morphological features and look-alikes of the common sources of pitfalls such as atrophy, repair, intrauterine device change, tubal metaplasia, hyperchromatic crowded groups, and radiation changes. Rare causes of pitfalls such as Arias-Stella changes, pemphigus, tumor diathesis per se, rare types of cervical cancer, including verrucous and papillary squamous cell cancer, gastric type, and endometrioid adenocarcinoma are also described. KEY MESSAGES: The awareness of pitfalls in cervical cytology is important for cytopathologists and clinicians to avoid future errors. Review of Pap tests with erroneous diagnosis is important for quality control in cytology laboratory, and it must be considered an educational- and experience-building procedure. Cytopathologist should not pull back in significant diagnoses, especially in human papillomavirus-negative cases.