What does it mean when endocervical and/or squamous metaplastic cells are present
Gabriel Cooper
Updated on April 21, 2026
Current guidelines state, “The presence of squamous cells, endocervical cells and/or metaplastic cells on a smear suggests a high probability that the transformation zone has been sampled, which is necessary for a cervical smear
What does squamous metaplastic cells present mean?
Squamous metaplastic cells present. Here the pathologist noted cells that were growing or repairing themselves, which is a normal process. Endometrial cells present. Your pap also picked up some cells from the inside of your uterus. This finding often happens if your pap was done around the time of your period.
What does it mean when endocervical cells are present?
Endocervical Cells. The presence of endocervical cells on a Pap smear is an indication that the smear included sampling of the cervical canal and, by inference, the squamo-columnar junction. If endocervical cells are not seen, it may mean: You did not sample high enough in the cervical canal.
What does endocervical and/or squamous metaplastic mean?
Squamous metaplasia, the process by which mature, non-squamous epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium, is a well-described phenomenon in the endocervical canal of both women and laboratory animals. In the human cervix, this process has been shown to develop in stages.What is endocervical and Metaplastic cells?
There are two types of cells that line the cervix, one lines the outer cervix (portio) and another lines the inner cervix (endocervix). … Metaplasia – Metaplasia is generally described as a process of cell growth or cell repair that is benign (not cancerous).
How is squamous metaplasia treated?
Conclusion: The therapeutic management of keratinizing squamous metaplasia is controversial, and currently no effective medical therapy is available for its treatment. Actually, patients undergo transurethral resections and a multidisciplinary approach is required to avoid cystectomy.
What are endocervical and squamous cells?
A pathologist then examines a Pap smear under a microscope, looking for two types of cervical cells: squamous cells, which are typically found in the outer surface of the cervix, and columnar endocervical cells, which come from the lining of the narrow opening in the cervix leading to the inside of the uterus (the …
Are endocervical cells cancerous?
Cell types This is called the endocervix. The skin-like cells of the ectocervix can become cancerous, leading to a squamous cell cervical cancer. This is the most common type of cervical cancer. The glandular cells of the endocervix can also become cancerous, leading to an adenocarcinoma of the cervix.What does endocervical mean?
Listen to pronunciation. (EN-doh-SER-vix) The inner part of the cervix that forms a canal that connects the vagina to the uterus. The endocervix is lined with cells that make mucus.
What is the difference between endocervical and cervical?The cervix is made of two parts and is covered with two different types of cells. The endocervix is the opening of the cervix that leads into the uterus. It is covered with glandular cells. The exocervix (or ectocervix) is the outer part of the cervix that can be seen by the doctor during a speculum exam.
Article first time published onWhat does atypical squamous cells on cervix mean?
Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) ASC-US means that changes in the cervical cells have been found. The changes are almost always a sign of an HPV infection. ASC-US is the most common abnormal Pap test result.
What does atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance?
Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance is the most common abnormal finding in a Pap test. It may be a sign of infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) or other types of infection, such as a yeast infection.
Are squamous cells normal in Pap smear?
A normal Pap smear shows healthy squamous cells (flat cells that look like fish scales) from the surface of the cervix. There are no signs of infection and no abnormal cells.
What is HPV high risk?
Listen to pronunciation. (hy-risk …) A type of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer and other types of cancer, such as cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva, penis, and oropharynx. Chronic infection with high-risk HPV can lead to cell changes that, if not treated, may become cancer.
What causes squamous cells in the cervix?
Most cervical cancers and pre-cancers are caused by infections with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV infects and transforms the squamous cells of the cervix. It can also infect and transform the cells of other tissues in the body.
What is metaplasia mean?
Listen to pronunciation. (meh-tuh-PLAY-zhuh) A change of cells to a form that does not normally occur in the tissue in which it is found.
Is squamous metaplasia painful?
The causes of pain in squamous metaplasia of the bladder are unknown. The pain is usually attributed to the disruption of the layer of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs, compounds of composite structure, having a negative charge) covering the urothelium.
Is squamous metaplasia benign?
Squamous metaplasia is a benign non-cancerous change (metaplasia) of surfacing lining cells (epithelium) to a squamous morphology.
What do squamous cells do?
Squamous cells are the cells closest to the skin’s surface, and their purpose is to line the skin. SCC often develops on areas of the body that are frequently exposed to UV radiation, such as the face, hands, and ears. In some cases, it can occur in other areas of the body.
What does satisfactory for evaluation endocervical and/or squamous metaplastic cells endocervical component are present?
Current guidelines state, “The presence of squamous cells, endocervical cells and/or metaplastic cells on a smear suggests a high probability that the transformation zone has been sampled, which is necessary for a cervical smear to be considered optimal.” The guidelines continue: “The absence of a transformation zone …
What does an endocervical culture test for?
Endocervical culture is a laboratory test that helps identify infection in the female genital tract.
What are the symptoms of HPV in females?
- pain during sex.
- pain in the pelvic region.
- unusual discharge from the vagina.
- unusual bleeding, such as after sex.
What happens if you have precancerous cells in cervix?
Precancerous conditions of the cervix are changes to cervical cells that make them more likely to develop into cancer. These conditions are not yet cancer. But if they aren’t treated, there is a chance that these abnormal changes may become cervical cancer.
Is endocervical curettage painful?
Is an endocervical curettage painful? Most patients describe their discomfort as feeling more like cramping or pressure than sharp pain. You might experience some discomfort after the procedure. However, you shouldn’t allow pain to deter you from recommended follow-up care.
Where is the endocervical canal?
The endocervical canal is the passageway from inside the uterus to the vagina. These are the 2 main types of cells in the cervix: Glandular cells line the endocervical canal.
Are squamous cells always cancerous?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a common form of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive.
Is HPV a STI or STD?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes). There were about 43 million HPV infections in 2018, many among people in their late teens and early 20s.
What is atypical squamous metaplasia?
The term atypical immature squamous metaplasia (AIM) was initially introduced in 1983 to describe lesions in the uterine cervix featuring a uniform intraepithelial full-thickness basal cell proliferation with high nuclear density in the absence of maturation but without sufficient criteria for a diagnosis of high-grade …
Will Ascus go away?
CONCLUSION: How to treat an ASCUS (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance) Pap test has been a major source of anxiety for patients and physicians. Most mild cervical abnormalities go away without treatment.
Can atypical squamous cells go away?
They usually go away on their own and do not require treatment. CIN 2 changes are moderate and are typically treated by removing the abnormal cells. However, CIN 2 can sometimes go away on its own. Some women, after consulting with their health care provider, may decide to have a colposcopy with biopsy every 6 months.
Should I tell my partner I have HPV?
Do I need to tell my partner? This is entirely your decision. Most men and women with HPV infection carry the infection without ever being aware of it. HPV infection does not need to be treated and in 95% cases, you would get rid of it through your immunity.