False-negative cytology rates in patients in whom invasive cervical cancer subsequently developed
Morell, N.D.; Taylor, J.R.; Snyder, R.N.; Ziel, H.K.; Saltz, A.; Willie, S.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 60(1): 41-45
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-7844 PMID: 7088449 Document Number: 194548
The 3-year screening interval recommended by the American Cancer Society would appear to decrease the detection of premalignant and malignant disease. The authors have shown that 20% of study patients in whom subsequently invasive cervical cancer developed had at least 2 negative Papanicolaou smears within 3 years of the diagnosis of cancer. Moreover, the majority of false-negative results in the series could be attributed to sample error. The authors recommend yearly or at least biennial cervical cytologic screening.