• About Pap tests or Pap smears
• Who should have Pap tests or Pap smears?
• The human papillomavirus (HPV)
• The cervical cancer vaccine
• Abnormal Pap test (or Pap smear) results and treatment
• Unsatisfactory result
• Low-grade changes
• High-grade changes
• Colposcopy
• Biopsy
• Treatments for high-grade changes
• Pap tests after treatment
• Questions to ask about treatment
• Risks associated with treatment
• Cervical cancer

High-grade changes

High-grade changes are more serious changes to the cells of the cervix. If left untreated, these changes have a greater chance of developing into cervical cancer.

These changes require investigation, but can still usually be treated easily and successfully if detected early.

It is impossible to tell which high-grade changes will develop into cervical cancer and which will not. This is why it is important to get any high-grade changes treated, if your doctor advises it.

Other abnormalities

Glandular abnormalities, invasive squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma may also appear on your Pap test result. These are more uncommon results, which you should discuss with your doctor.

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