Sexually active women should have a yearly exam because of the importance of early detection of infections and disease. An abnormal Pap smear result may indicate an infection, a precancerous condition or cancer. It may suggest a precancerous condition when everything is normal. Sometimes it fails to detect cancer that is there. Further testing through additional Pap smears, colposcopy, biopsy or specific STD screening may be necessary to accurately diagnose and properly treat the condition.
Dysplasia is one term that has been used to describe abnormal cells seen in a Pap smear.
In dysplasia, normal cells undergo a series of changes in their appearance.