ABSTRACT
The quality of cytopathology services in the United States has recently come under public scrutiny. While numerous studies have demonstrated remarkable success of the PAPANICOLAOU test in the reduction of cervical cancer, problems that include inadequacies in obtaining the sample, processing the sample screening and interpretation based on the PAPANICOLAOU Classification have been questioned. The recommendations of expert consultants attending a workshop sponsored by the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Institutes regarding utilization of the Pap Smear have been made and published as the Bethesda System. In general terms, the recommendations are: 1. The cytopathology report is a medical consultation 2. The PAPANICOLAOU classification for reporting consultations is not acceptable in the modern practice of diagnostic cytopathology. 3. The recommendations made by participant and here published, should serve as a guideline for reports. 4. All reports should include: a. A statement regarding adequacy b. A designation of normal or otherwise. c. A descriptive diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma/prevention & control , Papanicolaou Test , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & control , Vaginal Smears/standards , Carcinoma/diagnosis , Carcinoma/epidemiology , Cervix Uteri/pathology , False Negative Reactions , False Positive Reactions , Female , Humans , Incidence , National Institutes of Health (U.S.) , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , United States , Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/diagnosis , Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/pathology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The relationship between fibrocystic disease and the risk of developing breast cancer has been established based on proliferative changes seen in breast biopsies and the follow-up of patients. 70% of the female patients present a non-proliferative fibrocystic process without any risk of further development of cancer as compared with the rest of the population. 30% of patients with fibrocystic disease present a proliferative process with or without atypia. Those without atypia have a risk of 1.5-2.0 X as compared to non-biopsied patients. Age, family history and presence of microcalcification increases the risk factor in those patients with proliferative lesions. It is recommended that the pathologic diagnosis include the risk factor when fibrocystic disease is reported.