New technologies in gynecologic cytology

New technologies are trying to make significant changes in the way we perfo rm the Pap smear test, a test that has undergone no significant modificatio n since its inception. Efforts have focused on improving sampling with liqu id-based methods, improving detection of abnormal cells with automated scre ening and improving the detection of human papillomavirus with assays pract ical for use in routine clinical material. This article reviews the perform ance of the new technologies to date, with an emphasis on those that are cu rrently approved for cervical cytology testing. In the aggregate, these tec hnologies call have a positive impact on cervical disease detection and int ervention.