Possible Result		What It Means to You	What Your Health Care Provider May Recommend	Possible Outcomes
Normal	Normal	Only normal cells were seen on the Pap test.	Make sure to continue receiving Pap tests at least once every 3 years.	A False Negative (Looks Normal, But May Not Be) The Pap test is a very good screening test, but it is not perfect. A single Pap test may miss up to 20 percent of abnormalities. Changes that are missed once are usually found the next time. This is why it is important to get a Pap test at least once every 3 years.
Abnormal	Unclear ASC-US	ASC-US (atypical squamous cells-- of undetermined significance) Some cells from the lining of the outer cervix (also called squamous cells) do not appear normal. The health care provider will need to do additional tests to clarify the results.	Follow up with repeat Pap tests every 4-6 months. HPV testing Immediate colposcopy (a test that can be done in the doctor's office to get a magnified view of your cervix)	Abnormal Pap Test Result If a repeat Pap test is abnormal, your health care provider will probably recommend a colposcopy. Positive HPV Test Result If your HPV test is positive, your health care provider will probably recommend a colposcopy. Negative HPV Test Result If your HPV test is negative, your health care provider may recommend a repeat screening in 1 year. Abnormal Colposcopy Result If your colposcopy is abnormal, your health care provider may do a biopsy, endocervical curettage, or both.
Abnormal	Unclear ASC-H AGC	ASC-H (atypical squamous cells-- cannot exclude HSIL) Cervical cells do not appear normal. A high-grade lesion may be present, but the cell changes are too minor to be sure. AGC (atypical glandular cells) Some glandular cells in the lining of your cervix appear abnormal.	Colposcopy	Normal Colposcopy Result If cervical tissue looks healthy, your health care provider may not need to do any further testing or treatment right away, but may recommend a repeat Pap test or HPV test in 6-12 months. Abnormal Colposcopy Result If your colposcopy is abnormal, your health care provider may do a biopsy, endocervical curettage, or both.
Abnormal	LSIL	LSIL (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) Squamous cells are abnormal, but are usually not precancerous.	Colposcopy	Normal Colposcopy Result If cervical tissue looks healthy, your health care provider may not need to do any further testing or treatment right away, but may recommend a repeat Pap test or HPV test in 6-12 months. Abnormal Colposcopy Result If your colposcopy is abnormal, your health care provider may do a biopsy, endocervical curettage, or both.
Abnormal	Precancer HSIL AIS	If you have one of the results below, it is very important that you get the necessary tests and treatments. HSIL (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) The lesion is precancerous; without treatment, it may turn into invasive cancer. AIS (adenocarcinoma in situ) A precancerous lesion is found in the glandular tissue of the cervix.	Colposcopy	Normal Colposcopy Result If cervical tissue looks healthy, your health care provider may still need to do further testing or treatment. Abnormal Colposcopy Result If your colposcopy is abnormal, your health care provider will probably do a biopsy, endocervical curettage, or both.
Abnormal	Cancer	Cancer cells are present in the cervix.	Colposcopy Your health care provider will probably refer you to a gynecologic oncologist.	Abnormal Colposcopy Result If your colposcopy is abnormal, your health care provider will probably do a biopsy, endocervical curettage, or both.

This table is based on the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) consensus guidelines.

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