Pap smears are a vital aspect of women's healthcare. They detect early changes in cervical cells that could potentially turn into cancer without treatment. In most cases, a Pap test comes back normal, but if it doesn't, one reason could be cervical dysplasia.
Hearing the term “cervical dysplasia” is frightening, especially when you don't know what it is or if it means cancer. The good news is that it's not a cancer diagnosis but could lead to one without the proper treatment.
After a Pap test, Dr. John Paul Roberts carefully discusses your results at his office in Plano, Texas. Dr. Roberts is an experienced OB/GYN who provides treatments for cervical dysplasia and compassionate care.
Cervical dysplasia happens when abnormal cells develop in the cervix. These cells are precancerous, meaning they're not cancer now, but could develop into cancer without the proper treatment.
The abnormal cells are only on the cervix’s surface, meaning they haven't grown into the deeper layers. We usually find these abnormal cells during a Pap test, which is part of a woman's preventive screening.
Several forms of cervical dysplasia affect the cervix, and HPV may be the root cause. The condition's grade depends on how much of the epithelial tissue contains abnormal cells. The most recent classifications are CIN 1, CIN 2, and CIN 3.
CIN 1 is the mildest form of cervical dysplasia, with abnormal cells only on one-third of the epithelium. CIN 2 is more severe, with abnormal cells growing into two-thirds of the epithelium.
CIN 3 is the most severe form of cervical dysplasia. If you have CIN 3, more than two-thirds of the epithelium has abnormal cells that could develop into cancer.
It takes years for cervical dysplasia to turn into cancer, which allows Dr. Roberts to find the cells early on and provide effective treatment.
Dr. Roberts may notice signs of cervical dysplasia at your annual pelvic exam. He collects a Pap smear, which tells him definitively if abnormal cells are present in the cervix. If so, he discusses further diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the condition.
A colposcopy is often the next step after a cervical dysplasia diagnosis. During a colposcopy, Dr. Roberts carefully examines the tissues in the cervix and vaginal walls using a colposcope. The scope has a light that allows Dr. Roberts to see abnormal cells.
He may also choose to take one or more biopsies during the colposcopy. He sends the biopsies off to a lab, where a technician examines the samples to determine the severity of the abnormal cells.
The good news is that cervical dysplasia isn't usually a concern when found early. As long as you coordinate the next steps with Dr. Roberts, you don't have to worry about the cells growing into cancer.
There are several treatments for cervical dysplasia, depending on the severity of the condition and your previous and current medical history. Treatments Dr. Roberts provides include:
If you have mild cervical dysplasia or CIN 1, Dr. Roberts may choose to monitor the condition through more frequent Pap smears. Mild cervical dysplasia usually resolves on its own without further treatment and rarely develops into cervical cancer.
The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) uses an electrically charged wire to eliminate precancerous cells. Dr. Roberts can perform the procedure in our office with minimal downtime and discomfort.
Conization is a type of biopsy that involves taking a cone-shaped piece of tissue that contains the abnormal cells. It's usually reserved for more severe cases of cervical dysplasia because it has higher risks than the LEEP procedure.
A hysterectomy is the last resort when other procedures have failed to eliminate the precancerous cells. Dr. Roberts exhausts every other option before discussing a hysterectomy.
Call our office in Plano, Texas, today to schedule a Pap smear appointment. You can also request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.
