Objective: To review recent literature that examines the histologic characterization of women with atypical glandular cells of undermined significance (AGUS) on a Pap smear.
Study design: The English-language literature published between January 1995 and April 2000 was reviewed. The MEDLINE database and the search terms atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance and AGUS were used. The references cited in the studies were reviewed to identify additional publications. Studies that reported data from patients with a cytologic diagnosis of AGUS without an associated squamous lesion identified by Pap smear were used to summarize the final histologic diagnoses.
Results: Eight percent of women with the diagnosis of an AGUS Pap smear without a concurrent squamous lesion had a malignancy.
Conclusion: A thorough initial evaluation is recommended for all women with a cytologic diagnosis of AGUS.