Small cells in cervical-vaginal smears of patients treated with tamoxifen

Abstract

The incidence of "small cells" is similar in the Pap smears of patients with or without a history of tamoxifen treatment. These cells are similar to reserve cells noted in atrophic smears. However, as a result of the proliferative effect of tamoxifen in the cervical epithelium, these cells are prominent when admixed with superficial and intermediate cells in patients treated with tamoxifen. These cells need to be differentiated from endometrial cells to avoid unnecessary follow-up procedures. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol)