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What does it mean if you have atypical squamous cells?

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James Holden

Published Mar 04, 2026

What does it mean if you have atypical squamous cells?

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance is the most common abnormal finding in a Pap test. It may be a sign of infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) or other types of infection, such as a yeast infection.

Also, can atypical squamous cells be cancer?

When a Pap smear detects atypical squamous cells, follow-up testing is required to determine the underlying cause. In most cases, the presence of abnormal squamous cells does not indicate the presence of cervical cancer.

Beside above, can atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance be cancer? Without prompt treatment or close monitoring, about 0.25 percent of women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) develop cervical cancer within two years.

Besides, can atypical squamous cells go away?

These abnormalities (also called lesions) are low-grade, meaning that they are not severe, but should still be taken seriously. Most of the lesions will go away on their own, especially in younger people, but about 10 percent of the time the lesions will progress to cancer if left untreated.

Are atypical cells Bad?

Slightly abnormal cells, also called atypical squamous cells, don't suggest that they're cancerous or precancerous. We can evaluate the test results to see if other viruses, such as HPV, are present. If no viruses are present, these abnormal cells shouldn't be a problem.

What are atypical squamous cells caused by?

What causes atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance? ASC-US is a relatively common Pap test result in women of all ages. Causes of ASC-US include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, inflammation of the cervix, postmenopausal status, and prior radiation therapy.

Can a yeast infection cause atypical squamous cells?

Other types of infection—such as those caused by bacteria, yeast, or protozoa (Trichomonas)—sometimes lead to minor changes on a Pap test called atypical squamous cells. Natural cell changes that may happen during and after menopause can also cause an abnormal Pap test.

What does squamous cells mean?

Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales, and are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts.

Can you get pregnant with atypical squamous cells?

Whether you need treatment before trying to fall pregnant depends on the cell change severity. Women with low-grade abnormalities who are up to date with their Pap smears are fine to go ahead and conceive. Women with high-grade abnormalities should talk through their options with their doctor first.

What does atypical HPV mean?

Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US) is the most common abnormal Pap test finding. It means that some cells don't look completely normal, but it's not clear if the changes are caused by HPV infection.

Are squamous cells normal?

Squamous cells form the surface of your cervix. This result means the squamous cells don't look normal. This could be because of an infection, including HPV. Glandular cells produce mucus in your cervix and uterus.

Does HPV mean my husband cheated?

A new onset of HPV does not necessarily mean that infidelity has taken place. Research confirms that a healthy immune system can clear HPV in 12 to 24 months from the time of transmission.

What is the treatment for abnormal cervical cells?

Abnormal cells in the cervix can also be treated with: cryotherapy – the abnormal cells are frozen and destroyed (this is only used to treat minor cell changes) laser treatment – a laser is used to pinpoint and destroy abnormal cells on your cervix.

Can stress cause abnormal Pap smear?

But she noted that many researchers speculate that stress may somehow be involved in cervical cancer because stressful times in women's lives can often be associated with abnormal Pap smear results. Fang's team is currently conducting another study that may shed more light on this issue.

How long before HPV causes abnormal cells?

HPV-related cancers often take years to develop after getting an HPV infection. Cervical cancer usually develops over 10 or more years. There can be a long interval between being infected with HPV, the development of abnormal cells on the cervix and the development of cervical cancer.

What are the symptoms of HPV in females?

Depending on the type of HPV a female has, they will present with different symptoms. If they have low risk HPV, warts may develop on the cervix, causing irritation and pain.

Cervix: HPV and cancer symptoms

  • pain during sex.
  • pain in the pelvic region.
  • unusual discharge from the vagina.
  • unusual bleeding, such as after sex.

What causes HPV in females?

You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person.

What happens if you test positive for HPV?

If you get a positive HPV test, your physician has detected one or more high risk strains of the virus on the Pap test of your cervix. If the virus stays with you for a long time, it can cause cell changes that can lead to several types of cancer.

What causes precancerous cells in cervix?

Risk factors

Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main risk factor for precancerous changes in the cervix. Smoking and having a weakened immune system increase the chance that an HPV infection will not go away on its own and will develop into a precancerous condition of the cervix.

How common are abnormal cells in cervix?

About 6 in every 10 people have abnormal cells in their cervix – known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical glandular intra-epithelial neoplasia (CGIN). This is not cancer, but there's a risk it could turn into cancer if untreated.

Are squamous cells normal in Pap smear?

A normal Pap smear shows healthy squamous cells (flat cells that look like fish scales) from the surface of the cervix. There are no signs of infection and no abnormal cells. Even if your Pap results are healthy, you should be tested regularly.

How do ICD 10 code atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance?

R87.610 - Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance on cytologic smear of cervix (ASC-US). ICD-10-CM.

Are abnormal Pap smears common?

Most of the abnormal cells found during a Pap test are the result of a cervical or vaginal infection and are not cancerous. Abnormal Pap tests are very common. In fact, of the 3 million women with abnormal Pap tests each year, less than 1% (13,240 cases) will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.

How common is HPV in females?

Who gets HPV? Genital HPV is the most common STI in the United States for both women and men. About 79 million Americans have HPV. It is so common that 80% of women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lifetime.

What can cause an abnormal Pap smears besides HPV?

Trichomoniasis and Other STDS

Another one of the more common abnormal Pap smear causes, especially in women aged 16 to 35, is the sexually transmitted disease trichomoniasis.

What does a mildly abnormal Pap smear mean?

Most often, the abnormal test result means there have been cell changes caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). That's the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and can be linked to cervical cancer. Changes to your cervical cells caused by HPV can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Is cervical dysplasia a cancer?

Cervical dysplasia is not cancer, but may become cancer and spread to nearby normal tissue. Cervical changes. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina.

Should I be worried about atypical cells?

On occasion you may see a report from a Pap test or tissue biopsy stating "atypical cells present." This might cause you to worry that this means cancer, but atypical cells aren't necessarily cancerous. Many factors can make normal cells appear atypical, including inflammation and infection.

How do you get rid of atypical cells?

Atypical hyperplasia is generally treated with surgery to remove the abnormal cells and to make sure no in situ or invasive cancer also is present in the area. Doctors often recommend more-intensive screening for breast cancer and medications to reduce your breast cancer risk.

Should I be worried if I need a colposcopy?

Your doctor may recommend colposcopy if: You have had two abnormal Pap tests in a row that show atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cell changes. You have ASC-US cell changes and certain risk factors, such as a high-risk type of HPV infection or a weakened immune system.

What does highly atypical mean?

What does atypical mean? Atypical is a word pathologists use to describe cells that look abnormal either in shape, colour, or size compared to normal, healthy cells in the same location. Pathologists may also describe these changes as cytologic atypia.

What does atypical tumor mean?

Atypical: Cells that are not normal but are not cancerous. Atypical cells could become a cancer over time or may increase a person's risk of cancer.

What are the chances of abnormal cells returning?

Why do cell changes (abnormal cells) come back? After treatment for cell changes: about 9 in 10 (90%) people will not have further problems. fewer than 2 in 10 (between 5% and 15%) people may have cell changes that come back.

What is the next step after an abnormal Pap smear?

Your next step is usually a minor procedure called a colposcopy. This procedure is a visual examination of the cervix using a low-powered microscope used to find and then biopsy abnormal areas in your cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.

What happens if you have an abnormal smear?

Abnormal cell changes in the cervix are common, and often improve naturally. But sometimes these changes need treatment because there is a risk they may develop into cancer. Abnormal changes cause no symptoms. You will not know if you have them unless you have cervical screening.

Are precancerous cells Bad?

What are pre-cancerous changes? “Precancer means there isn't cancer there yet, but if you don't monitor or do something about it, it may develop into cancer,” King said. These changes do not mean you're on the brink of a serious illness. In fact, many women are told that they have precancerous cervical cells.

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