Pap Smear, adenoCa

[aspiringmd1015]

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the reason why pap smears arent great at picking up adenocarcionmas are bc adeno's arise within the endocervix(lined by columnar cells) and squamous cell ca's from the ectocervix(lined by squamous cells)?

 

[aspiringmd1015]

??

 

[stepone2015]

I think (not 100% sure) that since pap smears just get superficial cells, they can grade them easily for squamous cancer. Glands are deeper and do not slough off like epithelial cells, so a pap smear is less likely to catch it. HPV testing is therefore better for adeno.