You may need treatment if the results of your colposcopy show that there are abnormal cells in your cervix. The abnormal cells will be removed, which usually involves removing an area of the cervix about the size of a finger tip. The type of treatment depends on the number of abnormal cells in your cervix and how advanced the abnormalities are.
The aim is to remove the abnormal cells while minimising damage to healthy tissue. Some more intensive treatments can't be done on the same day as a colposcopy. Your colposcopist can discuss treatment options with you, and what each type of treatment involves.
LLETZ is also known as loop diathermy, loop cone, loop biopsy or loop excision. The 'transformation zone' is the junction between the skin on the surface of your cervix and the delicate tissue that lines the birth canal at its entrance.
This is the area where the majority of abnormalities occur and is where HPV creates changes to the cells. LLETZ can be carried out at the same time as a colposcopy and involves removing the area of the cervix where abnormal cells are. This is done using a thin wire loop that's heated with an electric current. LLETZ takes minutes and is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure, which means you won't need to stay in hospital overnight.
A local anaesthetic is usually injected into the cervix to numb the area. However, you may experience some mild pain, similar to period pain. If a larger area of the cervix needs to be treated, the procedure will take longer and you may need a general anaesthetic.
You may have light bleeding for several weeks after the procedure. There's some evidence to suggest that women treated with the LLETZ procedure have an increased risk of premature birth in future pregnancies.
However, in most cases, the benefits of treatment will greatly outweigh this small risk. Your doctor can advise further about this, if necessary. It's not possible to carry out a cone biopsy at the same time as a colposcopy.
A cone biopsy is a minor operation that may require an overnight stay in hospital. It's not carried out as often as LLETZ and only tends to be used if a large area of tissue needs to be removed. A cone biopsy is carried out under general anaesthetic. A cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from your cervix using a scalpel. The tissue will then be sent to a laboratory for closer examination. Following a cone biopsy, a dressing pack may be placed in your vagina to help stop any bleeding.
It's normal to bleed for up to 4 weeks after having a cone biopsy. You may also have some period-like pain, although any discomfort should only last for a couple of hours. Your GP or staff at the clinic will be able to answer any queries or discuss any concerns you may have about your colposcopy or treatment. Abnormal cells can also be treated in a number of other ways. Your doctor can give you advice about the procedures outlined below:. The test will be carried out to check for the presence of abnormal cells and the human papilloma virus HPV.
If some mildy abnormal cells are found but the virus is no longer present, it's highly likely that the condition has been cleared from your cervix. If HPV isn't found, you won't need to be screened for another 3 years. However, if HPV is found, or if more significant cell changes moderate or severe are detected again, you should be referred for another colposcopy. Removing abnormal cervical cells is an effective way of preventing cervical cancer.
However, there are some risks associated with the treatment. There's also a slightly higher risk of having a baby prematurely if you get pregnant after having cells removed from your cervix. Not all women with abnormal cervical cells will need treatment to remove them. However, all women with serious cell abnormalities will be offered treatment to have them removed.
You'll be advised to have the abnormal cells removed anyway, just in case. Home Tests and treatments Non-surgical procedures Colposcopy. Colposcopy See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. Introduction 2. Why it's used 3. How it's carried out 4. Results 5. Treating abnormal cells in the cervix. Introduction A colposcopy is a procedure to find out whether there are abnormal cells on or in a woman's cervix or vagina.
When a colposcopy is needed You may need a colposcopy after having a routine cervical screening test. Other reasons for having a colposcopy may include: some of the cells in your cervical screening sample are abnormal but not necessarily cancerous you are infected with human papillomavirus HPV , which is the main cause of the abnormal cell changes and might lead to cancer you've had several screening tests, but it wasn't possible to give you a result the nurse or doctor who carried out your screening test thought your cervix didn't look as healthy as it should A colposcopy can also be used to investigate things such as unexplained vaginal bleeding for example, after sex or an inflamed cervix.
What happens during a colposcopy? Colposcopy results The colposcopist will usually be able to tell straight away if there are abnormal cells in your cervix. Colposcopy treatment Mild abnormalities don't always need to be treated.
The cervix and vagina are gently swabbed with a vinegar or iodine solution. This removes the mucus that covers the surface and highlights abnormal areas.
The provider will place the colposcope at the opening of the vagina and examine the area. Photographs may be taken. The colposcope does not touch you. If any areas look abnormal, a small sample of the tissue will be removed using small biopsy tools. Many samples may be taken. Sometimes a tissue sample from inside the cervix is removed. This is called endocervical curettage ECC.
There is no special preparation. You may be more comfortable if you empty your bladder and bowel before the procedure. This test should not be done during a heavy period, unless it is abnormal. Keep your appointment if you are:. You may be able to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen Tylenol before the colposcopy.
Ask your provider if this is OK, and when and how much you should take. You may have some discomfort when the speculum is placed inside the vagina. It may be more uncomfortable than a regular Pap test. Some women may hold their breath during pelvic procedures because they expect pain. Slow, regular breathing will help you relax and relieve pain. Ask your provider about bringing a support person with you if that will help.
Colposcopy is done to detect cervical cancer and changes that may lead to cervical cancer. It is most often done when you have had an abnormal Pap smear or HPV test. If your pap test showed some abnormal cells and you tested positive for HPV , a colposcopy can help confirm and diagnose potential problems.
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a virus that may raise your risk for certain types of cancer, including cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Your doctor may also recommend a colposcopy if you have symptoms or signs of cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer.
A colposcopy can be done in the office of your primary care doctor or your gynecologist. An instrument called a speculum will be inserted inside your vagina to open it up and give your doctor a clearer view of your cervix. Your cervix, vagina, and vulva will be lightly wiped with a vinegar or iodine solution that helps your doctor better see abnormal areas. The colposcope is positioned between your legs as close to your vagina as possible, but it never goes inside your body.
During the colposcopy, your doctor may perform a biopsy on areas that look unhealthy. A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination by a pathologist. A pathologist can identify abnormal cells by looking at the tissue sample under a microscope. While a colposcopy can suggest that you have cancer or precancerous tissue, only a biopsy can actually make a diagnosis.
If an abnormal area is small, your doctor may be able to remove all of it during the biopsy. For example, 1 common biopsy method of cervical tissue uses an instrument to pinch off small pieces of suspicious areas.
Depending on your age, you'll be invited for a cervical screening appointment in 3 or 5 years. Abnormal result About 6 in every 10 people have abnormal cells in their cervix — known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia CIN or cervical glandular intra-epithelial neoplasia CGIN. This is not cancer, but there's a risk it could turn into cancer if untreated. The different types of abnormal biopsy result and what they mean are as follows: CIN 1 — it's unlikely the cells will become cancerous and they may go away on their own; no treatment is needed and you'll be invited for a cervical screening test in 12 months to check they've gone CIN 2 — there's a moderate chance the cells will become cancerous and treatment to remove them is usually recommended CIN 3 — there's a high chance the cells will become cancerous and treatment to remove them is recommended CGIN — there's a high chance the cells will become cancerous and treatment to remove them is recommended Read more about treatments for abnormal cells from the cervix.
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