ABSTRACT
The detection of cell abnormalities by studying cervico-vaginal smears dates from 1927. Papanicolaou and Traut are still considered the fathers of this method even if two Romanian scientists, A. Babes and C. Daniel first published the technique. Cervical cytology since then has become a useful and worldwide used screening test for cervical cancer. It cannot be used as a means of ultimate diagnosis as it has to be confirmed by a tissue diagnosis. The method has an acceptable sensitivity and specificity. In 1988 a new system of cytologic analysis was introduced: the Bethesda System. It provides a uniform format and offers a standardized lexicon for cervical cytopathology reports. The system was revised in 1991 and again in 2001. Recent discoveries about the precursors of cervical cancer and the availability of new cytologic testing methods now make it possible to incorporate new approaches into managing women with cytologic abnormalities.
