Significance | Pap | High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion | HSIL

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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 High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL)?

HSIL is an uncommon Pap test abnormality and is found in about 0.5% of all Pap tests. A large majority of women with HSIL Pap tests have a true precancer. Women with HSIL should all have a colposcopy. In fact, the risk of true precancer in women with HSIL is so high that most will need to be treated even if a true precancer is not found on colposcopy and biopsy. The only exception is for young women in whom fertility is still an issue. These women may be followed with Pap tests and colposcopy for up to 2 years provided that they understand the risk and make a strong commitment to maintain followup.