Review of Pattern of Cervical Smear Cytology in a North Central Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background

Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer in women and the commonest genital tract cancer in women. Cervical smear cytology is a secondary preventive measure that is underutilised in this environment resulting to avoidable morbidity and mortality in third world countries. Objectives The study was aimed at determining the pattern of cytology of cervical smears done in National Hospital Abuja. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study of all cervical (Papanicolaou) smears done in National Hospital Abuja in 2012 and 2013. Data was analysed with Microsoft Excel 2013. Results During the study period, 860 cervical smears were done, 799 (92.9%) of the smears were satisfactory, 710 (88.9%)of the satisfactory smearswere reported as negative for intraepithelial lesion and malignancy while 79 (9.9%) had varying degrees of epithelial cell abnormalities. Nonspecific inflammatory changes were recorded in9 (1.1%) cases while1(0.1%) showed squamous cell carcinoma. Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance(ASCUS) was the predominant epithelial cell abnormality, contributing 58.7% of the abnormal smears. The mean patient age was 43.2±17years. Conclusion The predominant epithelial cell abnormality in this study was ASCUSwith a good number of patients presenting late for screening. Public enlightenment and empowerment of women is needed to enable at risk individuals avail themselves of this important preventive measure.

KEYWORDS: Review, Pattern, Cervical Smear, Cytology