Significance | Pap | Atypical Squamous Cells Undetermined Significance

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Making sense of your Pap &
HPV Test Result FAQs

Q. When my Pap test is not normal that mean I have cancer or a precancerous condition?Q. What are the common terms used to describe simple infections with HPV and why do they need colposcopy?Q. What does it mean when my Pap test saysAtypical Squamous CellsUndetermined Significance (ASCUS)?Q. What should I do if my Pap test is ASCUS and my HPV test is negative?Q. What should I do if my Pap test is ASCUS and my HPV test is positive?Q. What should I do if my Pap test is LSIL?Q. What does it mean when my Pap test saysAtypical Squamous Cells: Cannot Exclude High-Grade SIL (ASC-H)?Q. What does it mean when my Pap test saysHigh-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL)?Q. What does it mean when my Pap test saysAtypical Glandular Cells?Q. What does it mean when my Pap test is negative but my HPV test is positive?Q. What should I do if my Pap test is negative but my HPV test is positive?

What does it mean when my Pap test says Atypical Squamous Cells Undetermined Significance (ASC-US)?

ASC-US is the most common abnormal Pap test result and is found in 5% of all Pap tests. This result may be associated with infection or inflammation or they may be associated with HPV infection and precancer. Only ASC-US associated with a positive HPV test has any risk of cancer or precancer. When a woman has an ASC-US Pap test the first step is to do an HPV test. This is usually done automatically and is reported at the same time as the ASC-US result.