INTRODUCTION: Cervical squamous cell carcinoma is the fourth most common cancer in women seen globally at present times for which Pap test is used for basic screening. The present article aims to study the spectrum of variables including age, clinical symptoms and prevalence of the different intraepithelial lesions in women who underwent Pap test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women in the age group of 15-95 years who presented to the Outpatient department of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of AIIMS, Kalyani were screened. All women who gave consent for screening in addition to women who had biopsies done or previously diagnosed with intraepithelial lesions were included.

RESULT: Of 4139 cases, most Pap tests were diagnosed as NILM (91.69%), of which 24.72% showed typical repair, 22.42% showed bacterial vaginosis, 4.64% showed Candida species, and 0.14% showed Trichomonas vaginalis organism. Atrophy was seen in 7.27% of cases. Of the Paps showing epithelial cell abnormalities – the findings under ‘squamous’ category were: ASCUS (1.88%), ASC-H (0.14%), LSIL (0.24%), HSIL (0.12%). The findings under ‘glandular’ category were: AGC (0.10%). Pap smears that were unsatisfactory for evaluation comprised of 5.82% of cases.

CONCLUSION: Pap smear test is a non-invasive, quick method to screen for intraepithelial lesions and non-neoplastic lesions and find their prevalence. Several guidelines published by numerous organizations (ACOG, ASCCP, USPSTF) recommend similar guidelines of Pap test every 3 or 5 years, with or without hrHPV DNA testing. Such screening and further management by biopsy or excision procedures increase positive outcome for prognosis of cervical cancers.

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