Christine Noga Booth, MD, FCAP
Michael Ross Henry, MD, FCAP
David C. Wilbur, MD, FCAP

The second edition of the College of American Pathologists’ (CAP) Practical Guide to Gynecologic Cytopathology is a thoroughly updated compendium covering all facets of the combined approach to practice, including morphologic diagnosis, molecular adjuncts, and patient management. The Guide is therefore relevant to the practicing pathologist, pathology trainee, and to the cytotechnologist/cytologist. Many advances have taken place since the publication of the first edition, and the updated and new chapters reflect these changes.

Authored by members of the CAP Cytopathology Resource Committee, this 15-chapter manual covers a multitude of topics, such as:

• Morphologic descriptions and examples of both normal and abnormal findings encountered in gynecologic cytology specimens, including primary and metastatic precancers and cancers as well as infectious diseases. This edition contains high quality images and “look-alikes” for comparison of benign and neoplastic conditions. A chapter detailing the cytomorphology of anal specimens has been updated.


• An extensive discussion of human papillomavirus, its role in cervical carcinogenesis, the array of tests which are used for identification and type-specific risk stratification, and the use of vaccination to prevent HPV-associated neoplasia.


• The adjunctive tests which may be used to extend the diagnostic capabilities of a cervical specimen, along with the innovative technologies which are being used to improve the quality, accuracy, and efficiency of routine cytologic interpretation—including new digital pathology methods.


• Comprehensive guidance on how to run a cytopathology laboratory, including quality assurance and improvement, coding and billing, and personnel management.


• The CAP slide-based education and proficiency testing programs—an excellent source of reliable data about slides and their interpretation.

The wealth of cytologic images of normal and pathologic entities displayed in the manual are from the extensive slide collection maintained by the CAP, as well as from the authors’ own institutions. The data presented comes from the many surveys of actual practice and participants’ results which have been conducted by the Cytopathology Resource Committee. Each chapter is highly referenced with up-to-date publications.