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'Dyskaryotic' changes in a smear test

by Dr Lesley Hickin

question
I recently had to have my smear test repeated and the results say that it was negative; however it did show 'dyskaryotic changes' and I have to have it repeated for the third time in six months. Please can you let me know what 'dyskaryotic changes' are?

answer
When a cervical smear is taken, cells are smoothed across a glass slide and sent off to the laboratory. The cells are looked at by laboratory staff, and the centre of the cells, called the nucleus, is viewed. The Greek word for nucleus is karyon. If the nucleus looks unusual in any way this is called 'dyskaryosis':

Dys=abnormal; kary=of the nucleus; osis=something wrong with

Dyskaryosis is divided into mild, moderate and severe depending on the degree of abnormality. If you have mild or moderate dyskaryosis this smear can safely be repeated in three to six months, because these changes often revert to normal given time. If you have severe dyskaryosis, this is NOT actual cancer of the cervix, but if left untreated there is a greater chance that it would progress to cancer several years hence. You should be referred to a gynaecologist for further investigation if you have severe dyskaryosis reported.

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