[Appearance of parakeratosis cells in cervical smears following hormonal therapy and its significance].

Between 1971 and 1973 19 (3,97%) of 492 senile women with atrophic and inflammatory degenerative vaginal epithelium developed parakeratosis cells after administration of estrogen. These benign cellular changes seem to originate in reserve cells or immature metaplastic squamous epithelia which could explain why these cells are mistaken for small cell carcinoma in situ or immature carcinoma. The criteria most helpful for correct cytologic diagnostics are a clean slide background and an abundance of immature metaplastic squamous epithelia with excentrically located nuclei. Operative diagnostic measures are advisable only if after renewed administration of estrogen similar cells are to be found in the gynecologic smear.