Abstract

More than one million deaths amongst worlds women population every year are attributed to carcinoma cervix. In India over a lakh women are diagnosed with cervical cancers each year of which nearly 50 % succumb to death. Cervical cancer is the second most common carcinoma seen in 15-44 years age group which if diagnosed early and treated the morbidity can be reduced by 70% and mortality by 80%. Cervical smear is a sensitive, simple, safe, non-invasive and effective method for detection of pre-cancerous and non-cancerous changes.

Aim: The objective is to study the role of pap smear in diagnosing premalignant and malignant as well as non-neoplastic lesion of the cervix and to determine the incidence of various lesions.

Material and Method: A retrospective study of six months on Pap smears examination was carried out in cytopathology section in Central Laboratory of MGM Medical College Kamothe. Around 701 smears were studied ranging from 18-90 age group. The smears were taken with sterile Ayers spatula. Materials were smeared on a pre labelled glass slides to form a monolayer thick smear. Slides were fixed with methanol, which after drying were stained by rapid pap method.

Result: A total of 701 cases were screened there were 582 abnormal pap smears with 119 normal pap cases 24 cases were inadequate for opinion, 468 showed inflammation 29 cases of atrophic smear 2 cases of HSIL and 3 of LSIL, 4 cases of CIN 1, 22 of candida, 3 suspected cases Chlamydia trachomatis, 4 of AGUS,16 of bacterial vaginosis and 6cases of trichomoniasis were seen in the smears studied.

Conclusion: Incidence of malignancy can be prevented by pap screening programmes. Pap smear helps in early detection and management of malignancies hence reducing mortality and morbidity. Pap smear studies are cost effective, doesn’t need experts and specialists for collection. Therefore, till today it is the most useful screening procedure for malignant and pre-malignant conditions.