Abstract :
Introduction: Cervical cancer is the third most common female malignancies worldwide with high
mortality. Since the introduction of conventional PAP smear (CPS) mortality from cervical cancer has
reduced considerably. Evidence shows that alternative method liquid based cytology (LBC) is more
sensitive and accurate for the detection of both squamous and glandular lesions of the cervix.
Objective: The main objective of this study is to compare conventional PAP smear and liquid based
cytology and observe for morphologic features, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted on 240 cases and samples were
processed for CPS and LBC. Cytobrush was used for LBC which was suspended and detached in the
preservative fluid and processed by manual method. Histopathological correlation was done in 32 cases
and HPV DNA testing was done in 76 cases.
Results: LBC showed higher specimen adequacy, cellularity, clean background and uniform distribution
of cells than CPS. Overall sensitivity of LBC (83.33%) and negative predictive value was more in LBC
(92.85%) as compared to CPS.
Conclusion: In this study LBC showed improved specimen adequacy, better cytomorphological features
and higher detection of epithelial cell abnormality. Thus LBC has higher detection rate of precancerous
lesion than CPS.
Keyword :
Cervical cancer, Liquid based cytology, Conventional PAP smear.