Changes in benign cell populations in cases of cervical cancer and its precursors

In two totally independent experiments, typical intermediate cells were visually selected by experienced cytotechnicians trained in the analysis of monodisperse Papanicolaou-stained ectocervical smears. The smears were carefully diagnosed per se and in correlation with routine smears from the same patients. For specimens of classes exhibiting tumor cells, the diagnosis was histologically verified. About 20 cells per specimen were selected from at least ten specimens per Papanicolaou class, amounting to total sample sizes of about 1,000 cells. In the first experiment, only cell nuclei were SMP scanned; in the second experiment, the whole cells were TV scanned. Correlation and classification analyses were performed; these resulted in the clear demonstration that intermediate cell populations in ectocervical smears are different in patients with different neoplastic gradings.