This system of reporting includes an evaluation of specimen adequacy. Cells on the surface of the cervix sometimes appear abnormal but are not cancerous. It is important to remember that abnormal conditions do not always become cancerous, and some conditions are more of a threat than others. A woman may want to ask her doctor for specific information about her Pap test result and what the result means. There are several terms that may be used to describe abnormal results.
Dysplasia is a term used to describe abnormal cells.
Dysplasia is not cancer, although it may develop into very early cancer of the cervix. In dysplasia, cervical cells undergo a series of changes in their appearance. The cells look abnormal under the microscope, but they do not invade nearby healthy tissue. There are three degrees of dysplasia, classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how abnormal the cells appear under the microscope. The word squamous describes cells which are thin, flat, and lie on the outer surface of the cervix.