Abstract
In Australia, cervical cytology is conventionally undertaken using the Pap smear test. This involves the collection of cells from the uterine cervix. Cells are collected from the cervix using a small cytobrush/broom or spatula and smeared onto a glass slide for examination under the microscope by a cytologist. Cytological abnormalities are classified using the Australian Modified Bethesda System (AMBS) as high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), possible HSIL (pHSIL), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions
(LSIL) or possible LSIL (pLSIL).
Liquid-based cytology (LBC) involves collection of cervical cells in a similar way as for conventional Pap, but the head of the brush, broom or spatula is rinsed into a vial of liquid to produce a cell suspension. The cell sample is treated to remove other material, such as blood and mucus, so that a thin layer of cervical cells can be placed on a slide for microscopic examination. Automated cytology refers to the use of a computer imager to scan slides prepared using LBC or conventional techniques. The Two systems of
automated LBC slide reading are marketed in Australia, the ThinPrep® Imager [Cytyc Pty Ltd] and the FocalPoint Imaging System [Becton Dickinson Pty Ltd]. These systems are
used to direct cytologists to the areas on the slide most likely to contain abnormal cells.
This report considers evidence published since the previous reviews of liquid-based and automation-assisted cervical cancer screening (Medical Services Advisory Committee
2002b; Medical Services Advisory Committee 2003).
(LSIL) or possible LSIL (pLSIL).
Liquid-based cytology (LBC) involves collection of cervical cells in a similar way as for conventional Pap, but the head of the brush, broom or spatula is rinsed into a vial of liquid to produce a cell suspension. The cell sample is treated to remove other material, such as blood and mucus, so that a thin layer of cervical cells can be placed on a slide for microscopic examination. Automated cytology refers to the use of a computer imager to scan slides prepared using LBC or conventional techniques. The Two systems of
automated LBC slide reading are marketed in Australia, the ThinPrep® Imager [Cytyc Pty Ltd] and the FocalPoint Imaging System [Becton Dickinson Pty Ltd]. These systems are
used to direct cytologists to the areas on the slide most likely to contain abnormal cells.
This report considers evidence published since the previous reviews of liquid-based and automation-assisted cervical cancer screening (Medical Services Advisory Committee
2002b; Medical Services Advisory Committee 2003).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Canberra |
| Publisher | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Commissioning body | Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care |
| Number of pages | 182 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-1-74241-018-0 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-1-74241-017-3 |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Publication series
| Name | MSAC Assessment reports |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Commonwealth of Australia |
| ISSN (Print) | 1443–7120 |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 1443–7139 |
