They are also seen in the middle layers of the skin.
Squamous cell carcinomais a form of cancer affecting the epithelium’s squamous layers.
It’s the most common cancer of theoral cavityand also is common in the cervix and theskin.
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This article discusses squamous epithelial cells and conditions that may affect them.
What Does It Mean if You Have Abnormal Squamous Epithelial Cells?
Squamous cells often are involved in abnormal Pap smears.
Abnormal Pap smear results are sometimes diagnosed as squamous intraepithelial lesions.
This is a very specific diagnosis of an abnormal Pap smear considered precancerous.
In fact,low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(LSIL) often heal themselves without intervention.
However, they can also regress.
There are several other Pap smear diagnoses.
These include ASC-H, atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL.
As with ASCUS, the meaning of ASC-H is unclear.
However, cells diagnosed as ASC-H are more likely to be problematic than those diagnosed as ASCUS.
There is also a Pap smear diagnosis of atypical glandular cells (AGC).
Changes in the glandular cells generally require more intensive treatment than changes in squamous cells.
HPV infects and transforms the squamous cells of the cervix.
It can also infect and transform the cells of other tissues in the body.
HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including oral, anal, and vaginal sex.
They includecancers of the head and neck, the vulva, the penis, and the anus.
In fact, some scientists estimate that four out of every five cancers are brought on by HPV.
The risk of HPV infection can also be reduced by vaccination.
Cervarix and Gardasil are two vaccines that have been shown to reduce the risk of HPV infection.
However, they are most effective when they are given before young people become sexually active.
It can be given up until age 26, depending on the circumstances.
Though the vaccine is approved for people 9 through 45, it’s most effective when administered early.
How Are Abnormal Squamous Epithelial Cells Treated?
However, a closer follow-up with more frequent testing may be necessary.
Urine Test for Epithelial Cells
Aurinalysisis a standard test that analyzes the substances in your urine.
This includes the amount of epithelial cells your urine contains.
What to Expect
A urine sample is needed for an epithelial cells in urine test.
Your healthcare provider will typically order more tests to form a final diagnosis.
Abnormal squamous epithelial cells are often detected on Pap smears and are associated with HPV-related cancers.
They may also indicate, however, that the test was contaminated and needs to be repeated.
Receiving abnormal Pap smear results can be upsetting.
Often, a wait-and-see approach, along with more frequent monitoring, is the recommended course of action.
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2020;12(4):975. doi:10.3390/cancers12040975
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing HPV-associated cancers.
2020;70(4):274-280. doi:10.3322/caac.21616
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doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024920
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).
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