Atypical Glandular Cell Cytology Calls for Human Papillomavirus Testing

Atypical glandular cell (AGC) cytology is an uncommon outcome of routine cervical cancer screening (0.5%) that is strongly associated with high-grade cervical and endometrial disease and with neoplasms. In a cross-sectional study of 1422 women (mean age, 47) with AGC cytology, investigators sought to determine whether human papillomavirus (HPV) status and age can help to differentiate risk for cervical and endometrial cancers.

Among women with AGC, 16.7% had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or worse, invasive cervical cancer, or endometrial carcinoma. Overall, almost one quarter tested positive for high-risk HPV; however, among those women with CIN 3, adenocarcinoma, or adenosquamous carcinoma, ≥90% tested positive for high-risk HP…