The ASCCP is inviting submission of abstracts for oral and poster presentation at the 2010 Biennial meeting and, for those in consideration of a prize, complete manuscripts to be published in the Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease throughout the coming year. Submissions will be accepted on-line using the form posted at www.asccp.org/biennial/submit_abstract/index.shtml.

To submit an abstract electronically, please click "Abstract Form," complete the form per the provided Instructions, and click submit at the end of the form. Abstract submission deadline is December 15, 2009.

Abstracts are juried by the ASCCP Program Committee under the direction of Warner K. Huh, MD, Teresa M. Darragh, MD and Michael A. Gold, MD. All abstracts are due to ASCCP on or before December 15, 2009. The ASCCP Abstract Awards will be announced during the ASCCP 2010 Biennial Meeting. The ASCCP offers five cash prizes for abstracts and two cash prizes for posters as described below.

NOTE: To be eligible for one of the abstract prizes, authors must also submit a complete manuscript for publication in the Society's Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease no later than 5 pm Eastern time, Friday, February 26, 2010. The complete manuscript must conform to the instructions for authors as required by the Journal and which can be found at www.asccp.org/journal/submission.shtml.

ASCCP Abstract Awards will be announced at the conclusion of the ASCCP 2010 Biennial Meeting.

Each prize includes an engraved wall plaque, a cash award, and recognition in the Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease.

Best Overall Resident/Fellow Prize Paper ($500 plus free registration for the lead resident or fellow presenter)
The Best Overall Resident/Fellow Prize Paper is awarded for the best scientific abstract prepared and presented by a resident or fellow.

Note: The registration fee will be returned to the winner after the conference.

Best Scientific Paper Award ($1000)
The Best Scientific Paper Award is presented to the best overall scientific paper in lower genital tract disease.

The George C. Trombetta, MD Teaching Award ($1000)
The George C. Trombetta, MD Teaching Award is presented to the best scientific teaching abstract in lower genital tract disease.

The Thomas V. Sedlacek, MD Prize for Best Clinical Research Paper ($1000)
The Thomas V. Sedlacek, MD Prize for Best Clinical Research Paper is presented for the best scientific abstract on a clinical care issue in lower genital tract disease.

The ASCCP/Hologic Young Investigator's Award ($500)
The ASCCP/Hologic Young Investigator's Award is presented to the best resident/fellow cervical screening paper.

ASCCP Executive Committee Best Poster Awards (2 Awards, $250 each)
The ASCCP Executive Committee awards prizes for the two best posters. Manuscripts are not required for a poster award.

SAMPLE ABSTRACT FORMAT
Award Winning Abstract from ASCCP 2008 Biennial Meeting

DELAYED DIAGNOSIS FOLLOWING ATYPICAL GLANDULAR CELLS ON CERVICAL CYTOLOGY Surette AM*, Schnatz PF, O'Sullivan DM*, Sharpless KE*

Hartford Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hartford, CT

OBJECTIVE: A recent literature search found no data on patients with a history of atypical glandular cells (AGC) on Pap testing and their risk for a delayed diagnosis (dx). The current study evaluates the prevalence of delayed dx following a negative comprehensive evaluation for an AGC Pap result.

METHODS: From 1998-2003, 380,744 Pap tests were performed at Hartford Hospital (HH). From these, 892 cases of AGC Pap tests were identified by retrospectively searching the HH database. The current study cohort was derived from women who had a negative comprehensive evaluation (defined as benign histologic findings on cervical biopsy, endocervical curettage, and endometrial biopsy [women ≥ 35 years]) within 12 months of initial AGC cytology. Subjects were excluded if they had <12 months of follow-up from the initial AGC Pap test, a history of AGC, known cervical or uterine disease likely accounting for the AGC Pap test, or concurrent atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or SIL at Pap testing. "Delayed diagnoses (dx)" were defined as histology of cervical intraepithelial lesion (CIN) II or greater that were diagnosed >12 months from the initial AGC Pap test.

RESULTS: Of the 380,744 total Pap tests, 892 (0.23%) had AGC and 176 (0.046%) met the inclusion/exclusion criteria of our study. Of the 176 patients, 19 (10.8%) had a delayed dx, including 8 (4.5%) with a malignancy. These data compare with our previously reported results from this population (all patients with AGC diagnosed 1998-2001) who at initial evaluation had a disease rate of 9% and a malignancy rate of 3%. The current data show that 9 patients (5.1%) were diagnosed with cervical squamous dysplasia (CIN II-III). The remaining diagnoses were each classified as a "significant delayed dx" and included cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), glandular lesions, uterine diseases, and extra-uterine malignancies. There was one case of CSCC and the uterine diseases included one case each of endocervical glandular dysplasia, endocervical adenocarcinoma, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial adenocarcinoma. The 5 extra-uterine diseases/cancers included 4 cases of breast cancer and 1 case of colon cancer. Women having more than one AGC Pap test during the study period (persistent AGC) had a significantly higher prevalence of a delayed dx (p<0.001). Women with any glandular abnormality or CSCC were diagnosed earlier than women with any squamous dysplasia (CIN I-III); mean ± SD of 18 ± 5.2 vs. 29 ± 13.2 months, respectively (p=0.041). There was no significant difference, however, in time to dx between women with any "significant delayed dx" (27.3 ± 25.2 months) vs. women with a "non-significant delayed dx" (32.2 ± 14.4 months).

CONCLUSIONS: Women with an initial AGC Pap test and subsequent negative comprehensive evaluation have at least as high a likelihood of a delayed dx compared to women with a dx on initial evaluation. Persistent AGC puts women at significantly higher risk for a delayed dx. Women who develop a delayed glandular lesion or CSCC are diagnosed significantly earlier. These findings suggest that women with an AGC Pap test, despite a negative comprehensive evaluation, should be followed closely for 2 years, with heightened cancer surveillance for 4 years, especially if they have persistent AGC cytology on Pap testing.

KEY WORDS: atypical glandular cells (AGC), delayed diagnosis, cervical disease, dysplasia / malignancy, colposcopy