Cervical dysplasia is the term given to the presence of abnormal or precancerous cells in and around the cervix. Cervical dysplasia is detected in a pap smear and diagnosed in a biopsy (colposcopy). Abnormal changes in cells can be mild, moderate, or severe.
The presence of cervical dysplasia does not mean you have cervical cancer. However, precancerous cells can become cancerous. Patients with cervical dysplasia often have no symptoms, which is why it is important to get screened regularly. Pap smears are recommended every 3 years.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical dysplasia. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are more than 200 different HPV viruses. Over 40 of these are spread through sexual contact. Most viruses are low-risk for cancer and about a dozen are high-risk. In the United States, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection.
Treatment for cervical dysplasia will depend on the degree of abnormal cells and your medical history. Most mild cases will clear up naturally. However, moderate or severe cervical dysplasia generally require immediate treatment.
The HPV vaccine which is given to women and men starting at 9 years of age to 26 years of age, is very important for prevention of the most highly aggressive HPV viruses that cause cervical and oral-pharyngeal cancers.
In-office procedures include:
- Colposcopy and biopsies
Surgical treatment includes:
- LEEP excision to remove dysplastic cells with an electric looped wire.
- Cone Biopsy which can be done with the LEEP or scalpel.
- Rare cases of severe cervical dysplasia may require a hysterectomy to fully remove the cervix.