LIQUID-BASED (THINPREP) GYNAECOLOGICAL CYTOLOGY

The Papanicolaou test (PAP test/PAP smear) is a cervical screening technique to aid in the detection of abnormal cells, such as cancer or cancer precursors, in the uterine cervix.

The following tests are available:

1.      Co-test: PAP Smear (Liquid Based Cytology) and HPV DNA (by Molecular Lab)

• Specimen is first processed by Molecular Lab then forwarded to Cytology Lab for PAP smear 

2.      PAP Smear primary with reflex HPV (Cervical Screening)     

• Specimen is processed by Cytology lab and only forwarded to Molecular Lab for HPV high risk and HPV 16/18 genotyping if the PAP smear result is ASC-US (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance)

3.      HPV primary with reflex PAP Smear (Cervical Screening)      

• Specimen is first processed by Molecular lab and only forwarded to Cytology Lab PAP smear if the HPV genotyping result is positive for other high risk HPV types

Collect specimen in ThinPrep^® vial - see site specific instruction on specimen collection and handling of (A) Gynaecological Cytology for more details

(Do not use lubricant as it will affect the quality of the smear)

Please note that PAP smear specimens that have been processed by Cytology Lab can NOT be forwarded to Molecular Lab for HPV DNA test

The clinical importance of PAP smear includes early detection and prevention of cervical cancer, identifying infections and inflammation and screening for Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

In the Thinprep® 2000 processor (Hologic Inc.), the specimen undergoes dispersion and cells are collected on a Thinprep® Pap Test filter before a monolayer of cells is tranferred onto a glass slide. The cells are stained with Papanicolaou (PAP) stain and then examined microscopically identify any cellular changes.

5 working days upon receipt

​Daily