Cervical Dysplasia
Also called: cervical
intraepithelial neoplasia
What is it?
Cervical dysplasia is an abnormal
growth of cells on the surface of the
cervix. The cervix is the narrow, outer
end of the uterus, located at the top of
the vagina. Cervical dysplasia is not
cancerous, but can develop into cancer.
Who gets it?
Cervical dysplasia occurs in sexually
active women, but is more common in those
who had sexual intercourse before the age
of 18 or those with multiple sex partners.
Women with diets low in folic acid and
those who smoke may be at a higher risk
for cervical dysplasia.
What causes it?
Cervical dysplasia is caused by the
human papillomavirus (HPV), which is
sexually transmitted and also causes
genital warts. This virus produces
papillomas, which are small, benign (noncancerous)
growths on the cervix. HPV can be spread
through any type of sexual contact,
including oral sex. HPV can also be spread
from a woman to her fetus if she becomes
pregnant or gives birth while infected
with this virus.
What are the symptoms?
In many cases, cervical dysplasia has
no symptoms. Some women experience
bleeding during or after sexual
intercourse.
How is it diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose cervical dysplasia
through a routine test called a Pap smear.
Your doctor will use a swab or other
special instrument to collect a sample of
cells from the surface of the cervix.
These cells are then examined under a
microscope for abnormalities. This test is
painless and the most effective way to
detect cervical changes that can lead to
cancer. Your doctor may want to examine
the cervix closely using a light and
magnifying lens at the opening of the
vagina. This procedure is called
colposcopy, is also painless, and can be
used to determine the best site for a
tissue biopsy (removal of a tissue sample
for examination under a microscope).
Cervical dysplasia is classified as mild,
moderate, or severe, depending upon the
number of growths on the cervix.
What is the treatment?
Mild cervical dysplasia usually
requires no treatment and goes away on its
own. Your doctor will want to perform
follow-up Pap smears to monitor the
condition and determine if you need
further tests or treatment. Moderate
dysplasia can be treated with a number of
surgical procedures, including cryosurgery
(freezing with liquid nitrogen), laser
excision, or cauterization (burning), all
of which destroy the abnormal tissues.
Your doctor may recommend the loop
electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP),
which uses a thin wire loop with an
electrical current running through it to
remove the abnormal tissue. Severe
dysplasia requires a cone biopsy, in which
a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed
from the cervix. Cone biopsies are
performed with a laser, a surgical knife,
or LEEP. The tissue removed is examined
under a microscope for signs of cancer.
Self-care tips
Yearly gynecological exams and regular
Pap smears are extremely important to your
health. If you have been diagnosed with
cervical dysplasia, you should have Pap
smears more frequently to monitor this
condition and increase your chances of
early detection of cervical cancer. You
can reduce your risk of cervical dysplasia
by practicing safe sex with just one
partner or abstaining from sex, not
smoking, and including foods rich in folic
acid, such as spinach, in your diet.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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