Understanding Pap Smear Results: What Do They Mean?

Pap smears do not have stages. The results of a Pap smear are reported as:

- Negative: No abnormal cells were found.

- Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US): A few abnormal cells were found, but it is not clear if they are precancerous.

- Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL): Mildly abnormal cells were found that may be precancerous.

- High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL): Severely abnormal cells were found that are likely to be precancerous.

- Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer cells were found.

A negative Pap smear result is considered normal.