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What could abnormal cells on cervix mean?
If the results of your Pap test come back positive, that means your doctor found abnormal or unusual cells on your cervix. It doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. Most often, the abnormal test result means there have been cell changes caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
What does it mean when your Pap smear comes back with abnormal cells?
If your Pap test is abnormal, this means that your sample contained abnormally shaped cervical cells. 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.
How common are abnormal cells in cervix?
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.
Can abnormal cells go back to normal?
Abnormal cervical cells may also return to normal even without treatment, especially in younger women. LSIL and HSIL are two types of abnormal changes to cervical squamous cells.
What is the next step after an abnormal Pap smear?
“I Received an Abnormal Pap Test. What’s Next?” Your next step is usually a minor procedure called a colposcopy. This procedure is a visual examination of the cervix using a low-powered microscope used to find and then biopsy abnormal areas in your cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.
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.
How do I get rid of abnormal cells in my 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.
Should I get a hysterectomy if I have precancerous cells?
If the precancerous disease is more extensive or involves adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and the woman has completed childbearing, a total hysterectomy may be recommended. 1 During a total hysterectomy, the entire uterus (including the cervix) is removed.
Do doctors call you back after pap smear results?
What happens after my abnormal Pap smear? After you get the call from your doctor’s office that you have an abnormal pap smear, you’ll come back into the office where you may have a repeat Pap test, or you’ll have a noninvasive procedure called a colposcopy.
Should I be worried if I need a colposcopy?
Your doctor may recommend colposcopy if: You have had two abnormal Pap tests in a row that show atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cell changes. You have ASC-US cell changes and certain risk factors, such as a high-risk type of HPV infection or a weakened immune system.
What causes abnormal cells?
Sexual activity, especially if it is recent, is another potential cause of abnormal cells. This can be a result of inflammation from the activity. It usually only causes a temporary change in the cells.
What is the prognosis for cervical cancer?
Cancer of the cervix often can be cured, if it is detected and treated early. The prognosis depends on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate for all stages of cervical cancer combined is approximately 70 percent.
What is high grade cells in the cervix?
High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) is a type of precancerous changes in the cervix. This is when you have a lot of precancerous cells, which look very different from normal cells. These changes involve only cells on the surface of the cervix. They happen most often in women ages 30 to 40 years, but can happen at any age.
What is the treatment for cervical cancer?
The standard treatment for cervical cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Doctors sometimes suggest alternative cervical cancer treatment along with these standard treatments to relieve pain and stress in patients.