Editing Pap test (section)

==Experimental techniques==

In the developed world, cervical biopsy guided by colposcopy is considered the "[[Gold standard (test)|gold standard]]" for diagnosing cervical abnormalities after an abnormal Pap smear. Other techniques such as [[triple smear]] are also done after an abnormal Pap smear.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Krunger|first1=TF|last2=Botha|first2=MH|title=Clinical gynaecology|date=2007|publisher=Juta|location=South Africa|page=23|edition=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mEsPakNJWZYC&q=vce+smear&pg=PA21|access-date=7 December 2016|isbn=9780702173059}}</ref> The procedure requires a trained colposcopist and can be expensive to perform. However, Pap smears are very sensitive and some negative biopsy results may represent undersampling of the lesion in the biopsy, so negative biopsy with positive cytology requires careful follow-up.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bewtra|first1=Chhanda|last2=Pathan|first2=Muhammad|last3=Hashish|first3=Hisham|date=2003-10-01|title=Abnormal Pap smears with negative follow-up biopsies: Improving cytohistologic correlations|journal=Diagnostic Cytopathology|language=en|volume=29|issue=4|pages=200–202|doi=10.1002/dc.10329|pmid=14506671|s2cid=40202036|issn=1097-0339}}</ref>

Experimental visualization techniques use broad-band light (e.g., direct visualization, [[speculoscopy]], [[cervicography]], visual inspection with acetic acid or with Lugol's, and colposcopy<!-- confusing? -->) and electronic detection methods (e.g., Polarprobe and ''in vivo'' [[spectroscopy]]). These techniques are less expensive and can be performed with significantly less training. They do not perform as well as Pap smear screening and colposcopy. At this point, these techniques have not been validated by large-scale trials and are not in general use.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}