What is abnormal cervix cells?
What are abnormal cervical cells? An abnormal cervical screening test result means that you have changes in the cells covering the neck of your womb (cervix). These changes are not cancer. You might also hear the term CIN or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
What causes abnormal cell growth in cervix?
Cervical dysplasia is the abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix. Considered a precancerous condition, it is caused by a sexually transmitted infection with a common virus, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
How long does it take for abnormal cells to develop in cervix?
In fact, once cells in the cervix begin to undergo abnormal changes, it can take several years for the cells to grow into invasive cervical cancer. Many women experience precancerous changes in the cervix in their 20s and 30s, though the average woman with cervical cancer is diagnosed in her 50s.
Are Abnormal cells in cervix common?
Most of the abnormal cells found during a Pap test are the result of a cervical or vaginal infection and are not cancerous. Abnormal Pap tests are very common. In fact, of the 3 million women with abnormal Pap tests each year, less than 1% (13,240 cases) will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.
What is the treatment for abnormal cells in the cervix?
Abnormal cells in the cervix can also be treated with: cryotherapy – the abnormal cells are frozen and destroyed (this is only used to treat minor cell changes) laser treatment – a laser is used to pinpoint and destroy abnormal cells on your cervix.
Are abnormal cervical cells always cancerous?
Abnormal test results don’t mean that you have cancer. An abnormal cervical screening test result does not mean that you have cervical cancer. It means that cervical cell changes were found or that cells are infected with HPV. Depending on the results, you may need follow-up testing or treatment.
How do you treat abnormal cells in the cervix?
Abnormal cells in the cervix can also be treated with:
- cryotherapy – the abnormal cells are frozen and destroyed (this is only used to treat minor cell changes)
- laser treatment – a laser is used to pinpoint and destroy abnormal cells on your cervix.
What is the treatment for precancerous cells in the cervix?
Treatments for precancerous lesions include excision (surgical removal of the abnormal area, also referred to as a cone biopsy or conization, or loop electrosurgical excision procedure [LEEP]), cryosurgery (freezing), and laser (high-energy light). (See “Patient education: Colposcopy (Beyond the Basics)”.)
How do they remove abnormal cells from cervix?
LEEP stands for Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure. It’s a treatment that prevents cervical cancer. A small electrical wire loop is used to remove abnormal cells from your cervix. LEEP surgery may be performed after abnormal cells are found during a Pap test, colposcopy, or biopsy.
Can abnormal cells go away?
They usually go away on their own and do not require treatment. CIN 2 changes are moderate and are typically treated by removing the abnormal cells. However, CIN 2 can sometimes go away on its own. Some women, after consulting with their health care provider, may decide to have a colposcopy with biopsy every 6 months.