CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Vol 10, 114-117, Copyright
© 1960 by American Cancer Society
Management of the Patient with the Positive Vaginal Cell Examination
Harry M. Nelson M.D.1,
Esther H. Dale M.D.1, and
Gerald S. Wilson M.D.1
1 The Yates Memorial Clinic and Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
Use of the vaginal cell examination, popularly known as the "Pap smear", has been proved to be at least 87 per cent accurate as an effective screening technique for detection of cancer of the cervix and therefore should be employed by every practicing physician in the physical examination of all adult women.
A definitely positive cell examination indicates that the patient has cancer. The clinician must then assume the responsibility of proving it beyond a doubt by obtaining a proper biopsy. The most effective way to achieve this is to hospitalize the patient for cold-knife conization and diagnostic curettage. This, in our experience, is the only sure method of obtaining sufficient tissue and of determining the extent of the lesion.
The diagnosis of cervical cancer by vaginal cell examination is so accurate that it is our deliberate conviction that continued follow-up of every false positive report should be resumed until all concerned are satisfied that each and every case has been resolved.
