[Frequency, causes and results of dubious smear findings (Papanicolaou III group)].

Suspect smears of 842 patients from 1975-1981 were analysed for their causes and followed up until the definite cytologic or histologic result. The rate of suspect smears was between 1.44 and 0.5%. The most frequent reasons for the classification "suspect" were doubtful precancer, severe inflammatory, degenerative, or atrophic changes, abnormal glandular cells and metaplastic findings. 65% of all cases became negative under cytologic control; of these 83,6% converted to negative within half a year. Histological examination (35%) revealed cancer or precancer in 141 cases, i.e. 16.7% of the whole population. The rate of suspect smears of a laboratory should not exceed one per cent. All cases should be first controlled by means of cytology, if necessary after local treatment.