ASCUS: Acronym for Atypical Squamous Cells of Uncertain Significance.  It means that irregular cells have shown up on a Pap smear. The irregularity could be caused by many things, including transient infections or irritations that the body will take care of on its own. Hormonal changes and medications can also cause ASCUS results. This result can also be a signal of a precancerous change.

Benign: Not malignant. A condition that is called benign may mean that the cells are different, but they are not malignant.

Bethesda System: Classifications and terminology used by laboratories and doctors to describe the results of Pap tests.

Biopsy of the cervix: A procedure in which a small piece of the cervix which is removed for examination under a microscope.

Carcinoma in situ: Cancer cells which are restricted to a very local area. The abnormal cells are evident throughout each of the layers of the epithelium but they have not extended into other tissue or surrounding areas.

Cells: The smallest unit of the body capable of independent life. Our body tissues and organs are made up of millions of cells. Each cell is usually invisible to the naked eye.

Cervical cancer: A malignant disease in the neck of the womb located at the top of the vagina.

Cervix: The neck of the womb located at the top of the vagina.

Chemotherapy: Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells or make them less active.

Colposcopy: The examination of the cervix and vagina with a lighted magnifying instrument called a colposcope to check for abnormalities.

Cone biopsy: Also known as conization. The removal, under general anesthetic, of a cone shaped section of the cervix so that the tissue can be examined in a laboratory. The same procedure is used as a treatment in some cases.

Cryosurgery: A surgical procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue by freezing. A general anesthetic is not required.

Curettage: The use of a curettage, a spoon-shaped instrument, designed to scrape tissue from a cavity.  Uterine curettage means scraping to remove the contents of the lining of the uterus.

Cytology: The study of cells taken as samples during procedures like a Pap smear.

Diagnosis: Identification of a disease from signs, symptoms, laboratory tests, radiological results and physical findings.

Dilation and curettage (D&C): A minor operation in which the cervix is expanded enough (dilation) to permit the cervical canal and uterine lining to be scraped with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette (curettage).

Dysplasia: An older term used to describe abnormal changes in the cervix.

High-grade epithelial abnormality: A term used to describe the more serious changes in the cervix which may lead to cancer. These changes require treatment and careful follow up care.

Human papillomavirus (HPV): Virus that is transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact. Certain high-risk types of this virus are considered to be the leading cause of cervical cancer.

Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus. A treatment option for removing abnormal cells from inside the opening of the cervix. This surgery is more likely to be done when the woman does not plan to have children in the future.

Invasive cervical cancer: Cancerous cells which have spread to deeper tissue.

Laser surgery: One of several surgical options for treating cervical cancer that utilizes a laser to destroy abnormal cells without harming nearby healthy tissue.

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): Another method used to do a biopsy. In this procedure, the doctor uses an electric wire loop to slice off a thin, round piece of tissue.

Low-grade epithelial abnormality: A term to describe less severe cellular changes in the cervix. These changes need careful follow-up care but may not need treatment.

Malignancy: A disease which, if not treated, will become serious or life-threatening.

Oncology: The study of cancer.

Pap test: Also called the Pap smear, this screening procedure detects abnormalities in the cells of the female reproductive tract.

Pathology: Laboratory-based study of disease, as opposed to clinical examination of symptoms.

Precancerous: A word that is sometimes used to describe a condition which, if left untreated, may go on to become cancerous.

Prognosis: Predicting the course or outcome of a disease or abnormality.

Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Screening: A test done on people at risk of developing a certain disease, even if they have no symptoms. Screening tests can predict the likelihood of someone having or developing a particular disease.

Speculum: An instrument used to hold open the sides of the vagina during a pelvic exam and other procedures.

Squamous cells: Layers of flat scaly cells that form the skin on the outer surface of the cervix.

Squamous intraepithelial lesion: Cancer that begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales.

Tumor: A mass of excess tissue that results from abnormal cell division. Tumors perform no useful body function and may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).