Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS): study of 208 Cases - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Purpose: to assess clinical, colposcopic profile and follow-up of patients with a cytological report of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). Methods: a total of 208 cases of ASCUS diagnosed between 1996 e 1998 were analyzed retrospectively regarding age, symptoms, colposcopy and follow-up. Results: the ASCUS:SIL (squamous intraepithelial lesion) ratio reported was 1:1.2, showing an adequate quality control. Most of the patients were between 15 and 35 years old (72.6 %). The majority referred no symptoms (36.5 %). The colposcopy showed (n = 58) the atypical zone of transformation in 60% of the cases. The subclassification into ASCUS favoring a dysplasia (ASCUS–D), reactive process (ASCUS-R) and unqualified (ASCUS-U) showed that 65% of cases belonged to the first category (ASCUS-D). In the follow-up of 86 patients for 3 to 6 months (average of 4.5 months), 12.5% had a subsequent SIL. Conclusion: the findings of this study indicate that ASCUS occurrence in young women with common symptoms, is frequent and there is the possibility of diagnosing by colposcopy. The follow-up is very important to define the concurrent or subsequent development of a squamous intraepithelial lesion.