• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2001

The Bethesda System (TBS) was first developed in 1988 for the need to enhance the communication of the cytopathologic findings to the referring physician in unambiguous diagnostic terms. The terminology used in this reporting system should reflect current understanding of the pathogenesis of cervical/vaginal disease so the framework of the reporting system should be flexible enough to accommodate advances in medicine including virology, molecular biology, and pathology. Three years after the Introduction of TBS, the second Bethesda workshop was held to set or amend diagnostic criteria for each categories of TBS. TBS 1991 is now widely used. The third Bethesda workshop, The Bethesda System 2001 Workshop, was held in National Cancer institute Bethesda, Maryland from April 30 to May 2, 2001. Again, the goals of this workshop were to promote effective communication and to clarify in reporting cervical cytopathology results to clinicians and to provide with the information to make appropriate decisions about diagnosis and treatment. Nine forum groups were made and there were Web-based bulletin board discussions between October, 2000 and the first week of April, 2001. On the basis of bulletin board comments and discussions, the forum moderators recommended revised terminologies in the Workshop. Hot discussions were followed after the presentation by forum moderators during the workshop. Terminologies confusing clinicians and providing no additional informations regarding patient management were deleted in the workshop to clarify the cervicovaginal cytology results. Any informations related to the patient management were encouraged to add. So 'Satisfactory for evaluation but limited by...' of 'Specimen Adequacy' catergory was deleted. Terminology of 'Unsatisfactory' was further specified as 'Specimen rejected' and 'Specimen processed and examined, but unsatisfactory'. Terminologies of 'Benign Cellular Change' and 'Within Normal Limits' were combined and terminology was changed to 'Negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy'. In General categorization, category 'Other' was newly inserted and the presence of 'Endometrial cells' in women over 40 years old can be checked. Although the category 'Benign Cellular Change' was deleted, the organisms or reactive changes of this category can be listed in the descriptive diagnoses. Terminologies of ASCUS and AGUS were changed to atypical squamous cell and atypical glandular cell, respectively. Diagnostic term of 'Adenocarcinoma in situ', which is highly reproducible with reliable diagnostic criteria, was newly Inserted. The category of hormonal evaluation was deleted. Criteria for liquid-based specimen were discussed. Reporting by computer-assisted cytology was discussed and terminology for automated review was newly inserted. This is not the final edition of Bethesda 2001. The final document can be prepared before the ASCCP meeting in which Consensus Guidelines for the Management on Cytology Abnormalities and Cervical Precursors will develop in September 2001.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.133-138
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• 2001

The recently proposed Bethesda system for cervical/vaginal cytology has made a standardization related to "atypia". In cellular change due to inflammation or repair, the word "benign cellular change" has been suggested as a substitute for atypia. Terminology related to atypia cells may become standardized, but the cytologic criteria has not been well defined yet Among 8113 cases screened, we evaluated 182 cases as atypia squamous cells undetermined significance (ASCUS) by the Bethesda system (TBS): 52 cases of ASCUS were cytologically diagnosed and 33 cases were histologically verified. ASCUS was diagnosed based on nuclear enlargement and nonclassical signs of condyloma. The results are as follows; Six cases (16.6%) turned out to have benign cellular change. Twenty five cases (69.1%) demonstrated squamous intraepthelial lesion, condyloma was 2 cases (6.0%) and mild dysplasia was not revealed. Moderate and severe dysplasia were 1 case (3.0%) and 16 cases (48.4%), squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were 4 (12.1%) and 1 cases (3.0%), respectively. Our data suggested that patients with ASCUS are highly recommended to be examined colposcopic biosy to cornfim.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5501-5504
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• 2012

Cervical cancer is an important woman's health problems worldwide, especially in low socio-economic countries. The aim of this study was to compare the Pap smear screening results between Akha hill tribe and urban women who live in Chiang Rai province, Thailand. Screening was conducted for 1,100 Akha women and 1,100 urban women who came to have the Pap smear at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital and 1 private cytology laboratory from January to June 2008. The demographic characteristics and factors related to abnormal Pap smears of these women were gathered using closed model questionnaires. Abnormal Pap smears were defined according to the Bethesda 2001 system. The results showed that the prevalence of abnormal Pap smears was 12.2% in Akha women and 4.5% in urban women. The highest prevalence of Pap abnormalities was found in the 41-50 years age group in both populations (4.5% in Akha and 1.7% in urban women). In both populations, abnormal Pap smears were found in <21 years age groups. From the questionnaires, the possible risk factors related to the higher prevalence of abnormal Pap smears in Akha women were early age at marriage (${\leq}17$ years), high frequency pregnacies and high parity and no/low education level. In conclusion, cervical cancer control by education and early detection by Pap smear screening is necessary for hill tribe women. More Pap smear screening service units should be set to improve the coverage for the risk group women who got married in young age, especial in ethnic groups.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4487-4490
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• 2012

This study aimed to screen for anal cancer and to determine its cytomorphology using liquid-based cytology (LBC) with specimens preserved in 95% ethyl alcohol. Anal swabs were collected for cytological examination from 177 adult, HIV-infected patients. After collection, sample slides were reviewed and classified according to their cytomorphology using the modified Bethesda 2001 system. An abnormal anal Pap smear was found in 26.0% of the patients. The diagnoses were: 66.7% negative for intraepithelial lesions (NIL), 14.1% with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), 10.7% (19) with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), and 1.13% with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). The cytological evaluation was an unsatisfactory result only with 6.67%. The present modified LBC using 95% ethyl alcohol as the preservative could thus be used for anal cancer screening. The number of SILs in Thai HIV-infected patients is lower than that in Western countries. We found anal cytology a satisfactory tool for early screening and detection of anal dysplasia commonly found in high-risk, HIV-infected patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes and cervical lesions in Busan. Furthermore, the cytological and histological findings of cervical lesions were compared to determine the usefulness of the currently released vaccines. HPV subtypes of 2,130 patients who visited Haeundae Paik Hospital between January 2013 and March 2016 were analyzed by the HPV 9G DNA chip. Liquid-based cytological examination was performed, and subtypes were classified according to the 2001 guidelines of The Bethesda System. Biopsy or hysterectomy specimens were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining for histological examinations. Of the total 2,130 cases, 1,254 (58.9%) were positive for HPV, and 876 (41.1%) were negative. Of these, 152 (7.1%), 97 (4.6%) and 80 (3.8%) were identified as HPV 16, 68 and 56, respectively. Of the 329 cases encompassing the above three HPV subtypes, histopathological analysis diagnosed 155 (47.1%) cases with CIN2 or higher grade. Notably, the occurrences of HPV subtypes 16, 68, 56, 58 and 51 were most frequently diagnosed in Busan. Further analysis revealed that administration of Gardasil^Ⓡ 9, the currently available vaccine in the market, exerts no protection against subtypes 68, 59 and 51. This study aims to provide an important reference for future HPV vaccination programs in Busan.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2069-2074
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• 2014

Purpose: To appraise the frequency of cervical cytological abnormalities in a population at normal risk via analysing the archive records of cytology for the period of approximately 9,5 years, comparing them with patient demographic charecteristics, and discuss the results for women under age of 35. Materials and Methods: A total of 32,578 cases of Pap smears were retrieved and analysed from our archive included the Pap tests performed between January 2001 and April 2010 at the Early Cancer Screening, Diagnosing and Education Center by the consent of three pathologists via utilizing the Bethesda System Criteria 2001 and the results were compared with some demographical characteristics. Results: Our rate of the cervical cytological abnormality was 1.83%, with ASCUS in 1.18%, LSIL in 0.39, HSIL in 0.16%, AGUS in 0.07%, squamous cell carcinoma in 0.02%, and adenoarcinoma in 0.006%. Cytological abnormalities were detected mostly in those with higher age, lower parity, and premenopausal period whereas the smoking status was without influence. Bacterial vaginosis (5.6%) was the most frequent infectious finding (Candida albicans 2.7%; Actinomyces sp. 1.3%; and Trichomonas vaginalis 0.2%) detected on the smears. The rate of abnormal cervical cytology was 9.5% among the women aged between 30-34. Conclusions: Early detection of the cervical abnormalities by means of the regular cervical cancer screening programmes is useful to attenuate the incidence, mortality, and morbidity of cervical cancer. Our prevalence of the cytological abnormalities was much lower than the one in Western populations in general but very similar to those reported from other Islamic countries that may be explained by the conservative lifestyle and the lower prevalence of HPV in Turkey. A remarkable rate of abnormal cervical cytology of women aged 30-34 was pointed out in the present study.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2008

In Korea, the quality control(QC) program forcytopathology was introduced in 1995. The program consists of a checklist for the cytolopathology departments, analysis data on all the participating institutions' QC data, including the annual data on cytologic examinations, the distribution of the gynecological cytologic diagnoses, as based on The Bethesda System 2001, and the data on cytologic-histolgical correlation of the gynecological field, and an evaluation for diagnostic accuracy. The diagnostic accuracy program has been performed 3 times per year with using gynecological, body fluid and fine needle aspiration cytologic slides. We report here on the institutional QC data and the evaluation for diagnostic accuracy since 2004, and also on the new strategy for quality control and assurance in the cytologic field. The diagnostic accuracy results of both the participating institutions and the QC committee were as follows; Category 0 and A: about 94%, Category B: 4-5%, Category C: less than 2%. As a whole, the cytologic daignostic accuracy is relatively satisfactory. In 2008, on site evaluation for pathology and cytology laboratories, as based on the "Quality Assurance Program for Pathology Services" is now going on, and a new method using virtual slides or image files for determining the diagnostic accuracy will be performed in November 2008.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4457-4461
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• 2016

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology, as diagnosed using a liquid-based cytology technique, in pregnant women attending the Antenatal Care (ANC) clinic at Siriraj Hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 655 first-visit pregnant women who attended ANC clinic at Siriraj Hospital during June to November 2015 study period. After receiving routine antenatal care, cervical cytology screening was performed with the Siriraj liquid-based cytology technique. All specimens were reviewed by a certified cytopathologist using Bethesda System 2001 criteria. Patients with abnormal PAP results characterized as epithelial cell abnormalities were referred to a gynecologic oncologist for further management according to ASCCP Guidelines 2012. Results: Mean age of participants was $28.9{\pm}6.2$ years. Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology was 3.4% (95% CI: 2.0-4.7). Among this group, there were ASC-US, ASC-H, LSIL, HSIL for 12(1.8%), 2(0.3%), 7(1.1%) and 1(0.2%), respectively. In 633 specimens of the normal group, infection was identified in 158 specimens (24.1%) which were caused by Candida spp. and Trichomonas vaginalis. Regarding patient perception about the importance of cervical cancer screening, although most women perceived screening to be important, 54% of participants had never been screened for cervical cancer. Rate of loss to follow-up in the postpartum period was as high as 41.8%. Conclusions: Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology in pregnant women attending the ANC clinic at Siriraj Hospital was 3.4%. Inclusion of cervical cancer screening as part of antenatal assessment can help to identify precancerous lesions or cervical cancers in patients who might otherwise not be screened, thereby facilitating early treatment and improved patient outcomes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4209-4212
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• 2016

Purpose: To study clinical factors related to adequacy of transformation zone (TZ) components in cervical smears. Materials and Methods: Medical and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear reports from Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand during January to December 2015 were collected. Demographic data was reviewed by attending physicians and impact of clinical factors onTZ adequacy was primary outcome. A total of 3,251 smears were reviewed. Finally, 2,098 smears met The inclusion criteria and enrolled into this study. Results: Average age and bodyweight of participants in this study were 43.0 years and 60.0 kg, respectively. Ninety seven percent of smears were classified as satisfactory for evaluation according to the Bethesda system 2001. Adequacy (group A) and inadequacy (group B) of TZ were equal in percentage (50.9/46.0). Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology was 4.4%. Percentages of abnormal Pap smears in group A and B were 7.3 and 1.4, respectively (p<0.001). Factors associated with increased adequacy of TZ were old-age (${\geq}50yr$), nulliparity, within 3-months postpartum, history of TZ inadequacy and abnormal smears. Sexually transmitted disease (STD), hormonal usage, previous cryotherapy and smears collected by staff were associated with inadequacy of TZ. Conclusions: Collection of cervical specimens should be carefully performed. STD history, hormonal usage and previous cryotherapy are risk factors for TZ inadequate specimens.