Oncocytology is a method for early diagnosis of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Smear for oncocytology - what is it, when to take it, explanation

Indications: diagnosis of malignant neoplasms of the cervix.

Contraindications: bleeding, inflammation of the vagina, lack of defloration.

Equipment: chair, gloves, antiseptic solution, Cusco mirror, Eyre spatula or its modifications, glass slide, direction to the laboratory.

Technique:

6. Wash your hands and put on sterile gloves.

7. Expose the cervix on the speculum.

8. If there is leucorrhoea in the vagina and on the cervix, dry the cervix with a cotton ball on a forceps.

9. Using an Eyre spatula, scrape around the entrance to the cervical canal.

10. Apply a smear onto a glass slide, carefully, in a thin layer without crushing.

11. Remove the speculum from the vagina, gradually closing it.

12. Fill out a referral to the laboratory for a smear (last name, first name, patronymic; age; diagnosis; date of taking the material; purpose - a smear to determine the degree of purity).

1. rough manipulations lead to trauma to the woman’s genital organs.

2. if the material collection technique is violated, it becomes impossible to establish a diagnosis histologically (false negative results).

4. Performing a vaginal examination in gynecological patients .

Indications: determination of the pathology of the uterus, its appendages, bone pelvis, perineum and vagina.

Contraindications: lack of defloration.

Equipment: chair, gloves, antiseptic solution.

Technique:

1. Explain to the patient the purpose and significance of the study.

2. Inform about the need to empty the bladder.

3. Place the patient on the gynecological chair in the “supine” position, legs bent at the hip and knee joints and apart.

4. Explain that breathing should be free during the examination.

5. Prepare the external genitalia for examination by treating them and the inner surface of the thighs with an antiseptic solution.

7. Using fingers 1 and 2 of the left hand, separate the labia majora and minora.

8. Continuing to spread the entrance to the vagina with your left hand, enter the vagina with your right hand (middle and index fingers) (thumb facing the pubic symphysis), and the ring and little fingers are pressed to the palm, the back of the hand rests against the perineum.

9. With the fingers of the right hand inserted into the vagina, examine the condition of the vagina, fornix, and then, bringing them under the uterus, examine the uterus by pressing the left hand on the stomach (the fingers of the left and right hands should be facing each other).

10. Examine the uterus (size, density, mobility and presence of pain), the fingers of the outer and inner hands are moved from the corners of the uterus to the lateral surfaces of the pelvis (the ovaries and fallopian tubes are examined, size, shape, pain, mobility).

11. Using the right (inner) hand, palpate the inner surface of the pelvis (ischial spines, sacral cavity, presence of exostoses).

12. Removing your right hand from the vagina, carefully examine it for the presence of existing discharge and its nature (quantity, color, smell, presence of bloody discharge). Remove gloves, wash hands.

Possible errors and complications:

Rough manipulations and neglect of the examination technique lead to injuries to the genital organs, bleeding, pain and vaginismus.

Russian Far East

Indications:

1) suspicion of a malignant tumor of the uterus;

2) suspicion of the remains of a fertilized egg;

3) polyposis of the mucous membrane;

4) to clarify the cause of menstrual disorder;

5) to stop bleeding.

Contraindications: signs of infection in the genital area.

Workplace equipment:

1) spoon-shaped vaginal specula;

2) forceps 2, bullet forceps 2, uterine probe;

3) a set of Hegar dilators and curettes No. 2,4,6;

4) antiseptic, bottles with formaldehyde solution 10%;

5) kidney-shaped tray, sterile balls and napkins;

6) sterile gloves;

7) gynecological chair; sterile diaper;

9) consent to medical intervention (form).

Execution sequence:

Preparatory stage of performing the manipulation.

1. Inform the patient about the essence and necessity of this procedure. Obtain the patient's consent to medical intervention.

2. Invite an anesthesiologist to administer anesthesia.

3. Place the prepared sterile instruments and dressing material on a sterile table.

4. Perform sanitary treatment of the patient: shave the hair in the area of ​​the external genitalia, offer to empty the bladder, place her on a gynecological chair covered with a sterile diaper, treat the external genitalia with a 1% iodonate solution, and perform a vaginal examination.

5. Clean your hands and put on sterile gloves.

6. Design bottles with formaldehyde (indicate last name, first name, patronymic,

7. No. birth history, material studied, date of smear taking).

The main stage of the manipulation.

1. After exposing the cervix in the mirrors, the midwife stands to the right of the woman, fixes the lower mirror with her right hand, and holds the upper one with her left hand. After fixing the neck with bullet forceps, the upper mirror is removed.

2. Scrapings from the cervical canal and the uterine cavity are placed in two separate bottles with a 10% formaldehyde solution.

The final stage of the manipulation.

1. Remove the mirrors and immerse them in containers with disinfectant.

2. Remove gloves and place in a container with disinfectant.

Culdocentesis

1. Indications:

a. Suspicion of an abscess in the pelvic cavity

b. Possible ectopic pregnancy

2. Contraindications:

a. Vaginal obliteration

b. Marked retroversion of the uterus

3. Anesthesia:

2% lidocaine gel, 1% lidocaine solution.

4. Equipment:

a. Antiseptic solution

b. Gloves

c. Vaginal speculum

d. Single-prong clamp or sponge pliers

e. 10 ml syringes (2)

f. 20 or 22 gauge spinal needle

g. Long rods with a cotton swab at the end

h. Kelly clamp

i. Scalpel with long handle

5. Position:

Dorsal lithotomy

6. Technique:

a. Treat the vaginal opening with an antiseptic solution.

If there is an abscess, the posterior vaginal vault will be bulging or tense

c. Apply a long stick with a cotton swab, generously moistened with 2% lidocaine gel, to the posterior wall of the vagina in the midline, 2 cm below the cervix. Wait a few minutes for complete anesthesia.

d. Using sponge forceps, gently grasp the posterior lip of the cervix and lift it. Another method is to infiltrate the posterior lip of the cervix with 2-3 ml of a 1% lidocaine solution, followed by careful application of a single-prong clamp and lifting it.

Another method is to infiltrate the posterior lip of the cervix with 2-3 ml of a 1% lidocaine solution, followed by careful application of a single-prong clamp and lifting it

e. Insert a spinal needle on a 10 ml syringe through the posterior wall of the vagina along the midline into the pouch of Douglas and aspirate the contents (Fig. 6.22).

Insert a spinal needle on a 10 ml syringe through the posterior wall of the vagina along the midline into the pouch of Douglas and aspirate the contents

f. The presence of blood or pus confirms the diagnosis. If no fluid is obtained, reposition the needle. Submit fluid for culture and/or analysis as indicated.

g. If an abscess (pus) is found, it must be completely opened and drained. Cut the vaginal mucosa at the puncture site with a 15 or 11 gauge scalpel.

h. Bluntly spread the edges of the wound with a Kelly forceps and squeeze out the pus (Fig. 6.23).

Use a Kelly forceps to roughly spread the edges of the wound and squeeze out the pus.

i. Rinse the abscess cavity until it is clear.

j. If nothing is obtained during puncture, it is difficult to definitively exclude an abscess or fluid accumulation in the pouch of Douglas. In some cases, ultrasound may be helpful.

7. Complications and their elimination:

A. Bleeding

Use direct pressure at the bleeding site with cotton swabs on the shaft.

Purpose of the study: early diagnosis of cancer.

Resources: gynecological chair, sterile diaper, kidney-shaped tray, sterile gloves, Cusco speculum, tweezers, 4-6 gauze swabs, glass slide, ethyl alcohol 96° or ether for anesthesia, fixative.

Action algorithm

1. Obtain informed consent from the patient for the study.

2. The gynecological chair is covered with an individual oilcloth or sterile diaper.

3. Help the patient lie on the gynecological chair on her back and fix her legs in leg holders.

4. Treat your hands in one of the following ways.

5. A pair of gloves, a Cusco mirror, tweezers, and 4-6 gauze swabs are placed in the kidney-shaped tray.

6. Prepare a glass slide (wash, wipe with alcohol or ether, dry), fixative, Cervex-Brush in the package.

7. Put on sterile gloves.

8. Cusco's mirror is taken in the right hand.

9. Use the index finger and thumb of the left hand to separate the labia.

10. The speculum is inserted closed in straight size to the middle of the vagina.

11. Convert the mirror to transverse size and advance it to the arches.

12. Open the doors.

13. Fix the mirror with a screw.

14. Examine the cervix and vaginal walls.

15. If the cervix is ​​visually normal, it is necessary to evaluate the amount of mucus on its surface.

16. If there is a significant amount of mucus, carefully remove it with a soft cotton swab and lightly blot it.

17. The Cervex-Brush package is opened.

18. The Cervex-Brush is inserted into the vagina under visual control, and its cone is carefully guided into the cervical canal.

19. After inserting the Cervex-Brush cone into the cervical canal, the brush is pressed against the surface of the cervix and 5 full circular movements are made three times clockwise and twice counterclockwise.

20. The brush is removed from the vagina.

21. The contents of the brush are applied to the glass slide in a linear motion along the glass, using both sides of the brush.

22. The smear is fixed with a fixative.

23. Unscrew the lock.

24. The mirror is brought out.

25. The mirror is immersed in a container with a disinfectant.

26. The patient is asked to stand up, the gynecological chair is treated with a rag with a disinfectant solution.

27. Gloves are removed and placed in a disinfectant solution.

28. Wash your hands with soap or antiseptic and dry them.

Preparing for an ultrasound examination

Target: provide the necessary conditions for obtaining optimal research results.

Execution algorithm.

1. Explain to the woman the need for this study, give recommendations:

3 days before the test, exclude gas-forming foods from the diet;

3 days before the test, take activated carbon: 1 tablet 3 times a day;

On the day of the test, empty your bladder in the morning.

Appear for the examination with a full bladder (do not urinate 2-3 hours before the examination or allow 1000-1500 ml of water to drink 60 minutes before the examination).

Vaginal douching

Target:

· Medicinal

· Hygienic

Indications:

Colpitis

Endocervicitis

Cervical erosion

Chronic disease of the uterine appendages and others

Contraindications:

· Uterine bleeding

· Menstruation

· Pregnancy

Resources:

Sterile gloves

· Esmarch mug or syringe with a capacity of 1.5 - 2 liters. with glass or plastic tip.

· Medicinal solution.

· Gynecological speculum.

· Kornzang.

· Sterile beads.

Action algorithm:

1. Explain to the patient the purpose of the procedure

2. Treat the gynecological chair with a disinfectant solution

3. Lay out an individual diaper and lay the woman on it

4. Mount Esmarch's mug on a tripod at a height of 1.5 - 2 meters.

5. Wear sterile gloves

6. Using proper technique, insert a speculum into the vagina and expose the cervix and vagina.

7. Insert the tip of Esmarch's mug into the vagina and open the tap

8. Rinse the vaginal walls and vaults

9. Use sterile dry gauze balls to dry the vaginal walls.

10.

Vaginal bath

Target:

· Medicinal

Indications:

Inflammatory diseases of the vagina and cervix

Colpitis

Endocervicitis

Contraindications:

Acute inflammatory processes of the internal genital organs

· Uterine bleeding

· Menstruation

· Pregnancy

Resources:

· Gloves

Medicinal solution

· Gauze balls.

· Kornzang.

Action algorithm:

1. Place an individual diaper on the gynecological chair and lay the patient down.

2. Wear sterile gloves.

3. Using the correct technique, insert the gynecological double-leaf speculum, open it and fix it.

4. Expose the cervix and vaginal walls.

5. Pour the first portion of the solution into the vagina and immediately drain it by tilting the speculum downwards.

6. Pour in a second portion of the solution and leave it in the vagina for 10 - 15 minutes.

7. After 10 - 15 minutes, drain the solution from the vagina.

8. Use sterile dry gauze balls to dry the vaginal walls.

9. Using proper technique, remove the speculum.

Vaginal tampon

Target:

· Medicinal

Indications:

· Preoperative preparation.

· Inflammatory diseases.

Equipment:

· Cotton-gauze swab with a “tail”.

· Gynecological double-leaf speculum.

· Esmarch's syringe or mug.

· Gloves

· Gauze balls.

Medicinal product (solution, ointment, emulsion, etc.)

· Kornzang.

Technique:

1. Place an individual diaper on the gynecological chair and lay the patient down.

2. Wear sterile gloves.

3. Carefully insert the gynecological double-leaf speculum and expose the cervix and vagina, fix the speculum.

4. Wash your vagina with a stream of solution from a syringe.

5. Use a sterile dry gauze ball to dry the vaginal walls.

6. Use a forceps to grab a cotton-gauze swab, dip it in the ointment and insert it into the vagina.

7. Hold the tampon with a forceps and remove the speculum.

8. Remove the forceps from the tampon, bringing the tip of the “tail” out.

9. Explain that the tampon is removed after 10-12 hours by pulling the “tail”

Collapse

Women over 30 years old often encounter pathologies of the reproductive system. It is possible to identify the cause of the disease using diagnostic measures. One such study is cervical oncocytology. It is prescribed to women during pregnancy or performed during a regular visit to the gynecologist.

In the absence of timely diagnosis and treatment, abnormalities in the reproductive system lead to consequences such as infertility or oncology. These problems are difficult to treat, especially when it comes to advanced forms.

Why is oncocytology performed?

Why is the research performed and what is it? Oncocytology is a microscopic analysis of cells taken from the cervix. The main purpose of the procedure is to identify oncological abnormalities.

Thanks to oncocytology, it is possible to detect cervical cancer at the initial stages of development. This increases the likelihood of complete cure of benign and malignant tumors.

Using the analysis, precancerous conditions are identified:

1. Leukoplakia.
2. Erythroplakia.
3. Polyps on the cervix.
4. Dysplasia.

The structure of the cells collected for analysis is two-layer. Thanks to this, the cervical cavity is protected from the penetration of harmful microorganisms from the external environment. Double-layer cells are the best option for oncocytology.

Changes in the structure of the cervical epithelium suggest that pathological processes occur in this area that can lead to the development of a cancerous tumor.

Research methods

There are 2 ways to perform oncocytology:

1. Simple. It is used in public medical institutions and antenatal clinics. This method is called the Leishman method.
2. Liquid. The study is carried out mainly in private clinics. This method is considered the most reliable.

In the first case, the material is applied to sterile glass and sent for further study. A smear is taken only from a specific area. Test results using the Leishman method take 10-14 days to prepare.

In the second case, the biological material is placed in a liquid medium that preserves the original properties of the cells. The analysis results are prepared in about 5-10 days.

There is another way to perform oncocytology - the Pap test or the Papanicolaou technique. The method is practiced in private medical institutions. The biological material is placed, as in the simple method, on a special glass slide. The difference between the Papanicolaou test and the Leishman method is the way the epithelial cells are stained before examination under a microscope.

How is the research conducted?

Oncocytology is not accompanied by pain and for this reason does not require the administration of painkillers before taking a smear. After the study, there is no damage to the epithelium or changes in its structure.

A smear is taken by a gynecologist. First, the specialist inserts a dilating speculum into the vagina, then, using a spatula, removes epithelial cells from the cervix. If necessary, the doctor collects samples of material from the cervical canal.

After the procedure, bleeding from the vagina may occur. After a few days, the bleeding goes away on its own without treatment.

The collected biological material is placed on a sterile piece of glass or in a liquid medium. Epithelial cells are treated with fixing compounds and staining solutions. The conclusion is issued by a morphologist who studies the material under a microscope.

Based on the results of this conclusion, the gynecologist draws up an appropriate treatment regimen.

Indications for the procedure

An analysis for oncocytology of the cervix must be done for all women who are sexually active. The study is performed not only in case of suspected pathology of the genitourinary system, but for the prevention of cervical cancer.

Oncocytology is mandatory if cancer is suspected. Indications for taking a smear are also:

• pregnancy (2nd or 3rd trimester);
• damage to the cervix after childbirth;
• age over 30 years;
• irregular menstrual cycle;
• papillomavirus infection;
• genetic predisposition to cancer.

The procedure is recommended for women who have bad habits, suffer from genital infections and immunodeficiency several times a year. After 30 years of age, cervical cancer screening is performed once a year. The examination deadlines must be strictly adhered to. Otherwise, the identified cancer cells will be difficult to eliminate.

The study is not performed for inflammation of the reproductive system. The pathogenic flora that provoked the pathology will distort the informative picture.

How to prepare for oncocytology?

The accuracy of the results largely depends on the preparatory activities. A smear for oncocytology is not taken during menstruation. The best time to do the test is before your period starts or immediately after it ends.

A few days before the event, a woman must refuse:

• from sexual relations;
• from using tampons;
• from douching;
• from the use of vaginal suppositories;
• from taking a bath;
• from taking antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Research results

The cytogram is considered normal if no atypical cells were found in the test results. A positive result does not indicate with 100% accuracy a precancerous or cancerous condition.

Out of 100 smears taken, about 50 are considered uninformative because the conditions for preparing for the procedure were violated or the laboratory received an insufficient amount of material. In this case, oncocytology is performed again.

The reasons for obtaining an unreliable result include infection of a woman with the following sexually transmitted infections:

• gonococci;
• chlamydia.

The papilloma virus also causes changes in the structure of the epithelium and the formation of benign elevations on its surface - genital warts. For this reason, women suffering from HPV should undergo oncocytology 2 times a year.

A breakdown of the results by class is presented in the table

The diagnosis is made definitively only after a comprehensive diagnosis. A few months after treatment, tests are repeated.

If the cytogram is positive, women are prescribed:

1. Colposcopy. The study allows you to study in detail the condition of the cervix and vaginal mucous membranes.
2. Biopsy. The study is prescribed only if malignant cellular structures are detected.
3. Histological analysis.

Conclusion

Oncocytology is indicated for all women over 18 years of age. The analysis is especially necessary for women over 30 years of age and patients who have problems with their cycle. The main goal of the study is to diagnose developing cervical cancer in a timely manner. It is recommended to undergo oncocytology regularly in order to notice and treat problems at an early stage.

Diagnosis of oncology using the method of oncocytology in gynecology is a method that will allow timely detection of cancer, prescribing emergency treatment. And timely therapy is the key to successful recovery and the fight against a dangerous disease.

What is oncociology and its types?

Oncocytology is a microscopic examination of a biopath taken using a smear from the cervix and cervical canal.

It is conventionally divided into 2 forms:

1. Simple- in this case, the biopath is taken with a special brush, and during laboratory analysis it is smeared on laboratory glass.
2. At liquid oncociology a smear with gored biomaterial is placed in a bottle with a special reagent liquid. It is this that allows you to obtain more accurate and reliable data.

Indications for analysis

It is taken for one purpose - to accurately assess the condition of the cervical cells, the size and quality of the latter, excluding pathological neoplasms and changes. A analysis for oncocytology of the cervix allows you to identify:

• Random division and growth of atypical cells. With this result, a second smear is performed after 3-4 months or referred for additional diagnostics, biopsy or colposcopy.
• Allows you to determine the course of the inflammatory process— this analysis will allow us to determine the causative agent of the pathological process.

How to make a smear for oncocytology: preparation and conduct

At the very beginning, it is worth deciding on the day of the analysis - many gynecologists advise carrying it out between 13-21 days of the entire menstrual cycle.

So, 2-3 days before the test, refrain from any sexual contact and douching, and an hour before the test, do not go to the toilet.

How to get tested for oncocytology? The procedure itself is simple - it does not take 5 minutes. The main thing is not to carry out the procedure during menstruation and with a diagnosed inflammatory process. The biopath is taken during a routine medical examination - a special brush is inserted into the vagina and biological material is collected from the cervical canal and external uterine pharynx, almost imperceptibly for the patient. Afterwards they are transferred to laboratory glass and examined under a microscope.

Significance of the analysis

Oncocytology smear - what does it show? Conducting a laboratory smear to determine oncocytology is a very necessary measure and allows for timely detection of cervical cancer.

If oncology is detected in the early stages of the pathology, timely measures taken will make it possible to cure cancer and prevent deaths.

Who should be tested?

As a disease, cancer develops slowly and does not show itself in the early stages. Therefore, the reasons for carrying out oncocytology of the cervix may be not just preventive studies:

1. disruption during the menstrual cycle.
2. taking hormonal contraceptives and inserting an intrauterine device.
3. Diagnosed infertility and planning a future pregnancy.
4. diagnosing genital herpes and warts.
5. history of HIV or HPV.
6. chronic inflammation of the genitourinary system and long-term use of contraceptives.
7. early sexual activity and frequent change of sexual partners, several, more than 2 genera.

In any case, in each individual case, the doctor prescribes his own basis for referral for laboratory testing.

Smear for oncocytology: explanation

In the final results of the laboratory test, doctors give a positive or negative rating. Accordingly, talk about whether there are atypical cells in the body or not.

The result also determines 5 classes of cervical condition:

• First grade- this is considered normal, when no cancer cells are found in the uterine cavity, everything develops normally.
• Second class- Doctors identify the inflammatory process.
• When diagnosing third class Doctors detect it in small quantities. In this case, repeated analysis is required.
• In case of diagnosis 4th class the analysis contains cancer cells.
• At fifth grade all cells in the collected biological material are atypical.
• But final verdict Doctors make the diagnosis after conducting a number of studies.

What should you be wary of?

What you should be wary of after a laboratory test is a diagnosis of cancer. But it is important to note that if the diagnosis of cancer shows the initial stage of oncology, you should not worry, since in this case it can be effectively treated with a properly selected course of treatment. In the later stages of cancer, a long course of therapy and recovery awaits.

Oncocytology and inflammatory process

Since the task of the cytologist is not to establish the cause of the inflammatory process, attention is often paid to this, and all possible causes of pathological changes are identified. Inflammation can be projected by a wide variety of pathogenic microflora - because of this, doctors distinguish between specific and nonspecific.

The inflammation itself can be:

1. Acute. Lasts up to 10 days and a large number of neutrophilic leukocytes are present in the smear.
2. Subacute and chronic type inflammation. In this case, in addition to leukocytes, the smear will contain lymphocytes and histiocytes.

In the case of diagnosing an inflammatory process, it is important to identify which microorganisms and pathogenic microflora provoke inflammation. Most often, it provokes inflammation:

1. Koch's tuberculosis bacillus- in the smear itself, curdled masses, as well as Pirogov-Langerhans cells, will be detected.
2. Trichomonas, when the cells of the inflammatory process themselves, namely the Trichomonas themselves, are diagnosed in the smear.
3. Fungi from the genus Candida, in which thrush most often shows itself.
4. Gonococci and chlamydia, provoking the course of gonorrhea and urethritis, inflammation of the pelvic organs.
5. Biological material may also contain herpes virus cells.

This is not a complete list of pathogenic microorganisms that can provoke inflammation - there are about 40 species of bacterial and viral pathogens.

Video: how to take a smear for oncocytology?

A smear for oncocytology (Papanicolaou analysis, Pap test) is a method of microscopic examination of cells that are taken from the surface of the cervix and its canal. This method makes it possible to identify precancerous changes in the cervical epithelium, or more precisely, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of varying severity.

Due to the fact that the frequency of oncological pathologies is growing all over the world, and cervical cancer occupies one of the first places among cancer diseases in women, oncocytology of the cervix is ​​primarily aimed at the early detection of cancer cells and precancerous processes, i.e. conditions that, if left untreated, can lead to cancer.

And especially the Papanicolaou test is recommended for women who are at risk, because many detected pathologies can be successfully treated if detected in the early stages. Therefore, women should definitely undergo a smear for oncocytology once a year:

• Over 30 years old;
• In whose families there were cases of cancer;
• Those who are currently or have previously been diagnosed with human papillomavirus (HPV) of high carcinogenic risk;
• In whom, during a colposcopic examination of the cervix, changes in the epithelium were detected;
• With cervical erosion.

Oncocytology during pregnancy

Pregnancy is characterized by high levels of hormones, which can contribute to the rapid progression of various diseases that are classified as precancerous conditions. That is why oncocytology is mandatory for all pregnant women. This approach allows timely diagnosis of changes in the cervical epithelium.

A smear is taken once upon registration at the antenatal clinic in connection with pregnancy. If initial changes in the cervical epithelium were detected during an oncocytology study, for the purpose of dynamic monitoring, the analysis is repeated in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

How to take a smear for oncocytology

A Pap test is part of a routine gynecological examination. It is carried out quickly and almost painlessly.

For an oncocytology study, two scrapings are usually needed: the epithelium from the endocervix (cervical canal) and from the exocervix (vaginal part of the cervix).

The material is collected using special cytobrushes with soft bristles. After taking the biomaterial, the doctor prepares a so-called fingerprint smear: for this, he touches the entire surface of the slide with a brush. After this, the glass is dried in air for 10 minutes, placed in a cuvette (glass dish) and the smear is fixed with 96% rectified ethyl alcohol for another 5 minutes. The finished smear preparation is placed in individual packaging and sent to the laboratory, where it is examined by cytologists.

Storage of glasses with smears is allowed only in sealed packaging for 10 days at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees.

Preparation for cervical oncocytology

Oncocytology is not performed in the presence of an inflammatory process in the vagina (with colpitis) and on the cervix (with cervicitis). This is due to the fact that such conditions cause changes in cells, which can be regarded as an initial precancerous process. Therefore, before oncocytology, appropriate anti-inflammatory treatment is prescribed.

The day before taking a smear, you must refrain from sexual intercourse, douching, using vaginal suppositories and creams, as well as tampons. Two days before oncocytology, you should avoid taking a bath and perform personal hygiene using a vertical shower. All of the above procedures can interfere with obtaining reliable oncocytology results.

A smear for examination is taken before colposcopy or gynecological examination or two days after them.

Interpretation of oncocytology results

The doctor's report on the analysis is a description of the cells found in the material being tested. Oncocytology results can be positive or negative.

Normal oncocytology (negative result) is considered to be one whose cells have normal structure, size and shape. The cytological conclusion of oncocytology may contain the following data:

• A smear from the exocervix: the resulting biomaterial contained cells of stratified squamous epithelium of the surface layers without abnormal features;
• A smear from the endocervix: the obtained material contained columnar epithelial cells without any features. Sometimes it is described that metaplastic epithelial cells have been identified - this is one of the normal variants and indicates that the smear was taken from the so-called transition zone - here the columnar epithelium of the cervical canal passes into the multilayered squamous epithelium covering the vaginal part of the cervix.

An abnormal (positive) oncocytology result does not always mean that a woman has cancer or a precancerous condition. The causes of Pap test deviations can be infections such as trichomonas, chlamydia, gonococci, as well as candidiasis and human papillomavirus. HPV is often the “culprit” for the appearance of genital warts in the area of ​​a woman’s external and internal genital organs, and therefore causes benign changes in the epithelium of the cervix. Human papillomavirus of high carcinogenic risk can provoke the development of cancer, and it is characterized by more altered abnormal cells, which is detected as a result of oncocytology.

There is the following classification of Pap smear:

• Class 1: normal cytology;
• Class 2: a change in cell morphology occurs as a result of an inflammatory process in the female genital organs;
• Class 3: single cells with abnormalities of nuclei and cytoplasm were found;
• Class 4: individual cells characterized by pronounced signs of malignancy were identified;
• Class 5: such a number of cancer cells is observed that the presence of a malignant formation is beyond doubt.

The woman's treatment regimen depends on the degree of cellular changes detected during oncocytology. If the anomalies are caused by an inflammatory process, appropriate therapy is prescribed. A few months later, the smear for oncocytology is taken again.

Regardless of the degree of detected abnormalities (high or low), all women with abnormal oncocytology are advised to undergo colposcopy - a more accurate diagnostic examination of the vaginal opening, its walls and the vaginal part of the cervix using a special device. If significant cellular changes are detected, the patient is referred for a biopsy. The treatment method and further medical recommendations will depend on the histological report.