Triage of women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US): results of an Italian multicentric study.

Objectives: To compare the performance of immediate colposcopy, repeat Pap test and HPV test as triage options for women diagnosed as having atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) while attending organised screening for cervical carcinoma in five centres of the Veneto region.

Methods: Women consecutively diagnosed as having ASC-US were included in a prospective study, and underwent colposcopy and collection of cervico-vaginal cells for conventional Pap test and HPV test (Hybrid Capture 2, High-risk probe set, Digene). Repetition of all three tests was scheduled for 12 months later.