Pap Smears Cytology of Cervical Abnormalities in Derna, Libya

Abstract

The study aimed to provide information about the prevalence of various cervical lesions diagnosed by Papanicolaou smear tests among women in the city of Derna, in eastern Libya. The reporting of the Pap smears is based on the 2014 Bethesda system. The study included seventy-two cervical Pap smears cytology received at the Noor-AL-Huda Medical Center Pathology Laboratory in Derna City, east of Libya, and processed using conventional smear techniques. The data was gathered retrospectively from March 2022 to August 2023. A total of 72 cervical Pap smears were included in the study. The majority of the cases reported were Negative for Intraepithelial Lesions or Malignancy (NILM) 54 (75%). Out of the 72 reports, 2 (2.7%) were unsatisfactory. Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSIL) were found in 8 cases (11.11%), and 4 (5.5%) were High-grade Intraepithelial Lesions (HSIL). Atypical Squamous Cells cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H) were found in 4 cases (5.5%). LSIL and HSIL were more common among women aged 30-40 years. The age of the patients included in this study ranged from 30 to 56, with a mean age of 40 years. These findings emphasize the importance of a well-organized cervical screening program. In particular, women over 30 years should be educated about the importance of Pap smears and encouraged to undergo regular screening.