• Historical perspective
  It is widely acknowledged that the  criteria and terminology used to interpret and report cervical smears differs country to country. This has led to problems of communication between cytopathologists , cytotechnologists and clinicians and  makes it difficult for epidemiologists to make valid comparisons of the effectiveness of the different cervical screening programmes. The variability in terminology impedes meaningful discussion between laboratories and also affects patient management and the introduction of optimal methods of patient  care.
• The problem was addressed in 1988, by the National Cancer Institute in the United States who prepared a reporting system for cervical cytology which is known as The Bethesda System (TBS). In1990, the Leonardo da Vinci programme  sponsored the preparation of the Equivalent Terminology Tables which compared the many systems of reporting cervical smears in the European Union with the Bethesda system. See Equivalent Terminology
• The partners involved in the preparation of  Eurocytology website have opted to use  the terminology proposed in The Bethesda System in view of its world wide application.  Wherever appropriate links to the Equivalent Terminology have been maintained.

The main categories of the Bethesda reporting system (2001) are shown below

For further information relating to Bethesda follow these links www.bethesda2001.cancer.gov/