• What are abnormal cervical cells?
• What causes abnormal cervical cells?
• How are abnormal cervical cells detected?
• How are Pap test results reported?
• Are there additional tests for women diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells?
• Can abnormal cervical cells be treated?

While most healthcare professionals may simply say that the results of the Pap test are normal or abnormal, some may use acronyms such as ASCUS, LSIL, or HSIL.

ASCUS stands for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance.

A diagnosis of ASCUS means that the abnormalities seen in cervical cells are mild and their nature is uncertain.

LSIL stands for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and means that there are more definite but still mildly abnormal cervical cells.

HSIL, or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, means there are severely abnormal cervical cells that have a high likelihood of progressing to cervical cancer.