The management and treatment of an abnormal Pap smear

Table 2 summarizes the management of the abnormal Pap smear. Management of dysplasia in this institution is aggressive--as destructive therapy of mild dysplasia is advised, opposed to watching the patient and treating only if the disease persists. The rationale for this is the 33% to 45% failure rate for follow-up appointments in the primarily inner-city population served. The key to follow-up is to repeat cervical cytology in all patients treated, even those treated with hysterectomy, every three months until two consecutive normal smears are obtained. At that time, surveillance and intervals may be modified, but screening should continue at least annually. The mortality rate of carcinoma of the cervix has dropped precipitously during the last 40 years, in part, from simple screening of the cervix with the Papanicolaou smear. The effort to treat premalignant changes has been rewarded. The use of the colposcope and destructive forms of therapy have allowed successful treatment of patients with less morbidity and mortality than the immediate reliance on cervical conization. Remember, conization is still indicated and prudent in selected patients. Following these guidelines may contribute to the downward trend.