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Cervical dysplasia - Treatment

Alternative Names

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); Precancerous changes of the cervix

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the degree of dysplasia. Mild dysplasia (LSIL or CIN I) may go away on its own.

  • You may only need careful observation by your doctor with repeat Pap smears every 3 - 6 months.
  • If the changes do not go away or get worse, treatment is necessary.

Treatment for moderate-to-severe dysplasia or mild dysplasia that does not go away may include:

  • Cryosurgery to freeze abnormal cells
  • Laser therapy, which uses light to burn away abnormal tissue
  • LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure), which uses electricity to remove abnormal tissue (See: Electrocauterization)
  • Surgery to remove the abnormal tissue (cone biopsy)

Rarely, a hysterectomy may be needed. Women treated for dysplasia need close follow-up, usually every 3 to 6 months or as recommended by their provider.

Expectations (prognosis):

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment cure nearly all cases of cervical dysplasia. Sometimes, the condition returns.

Without treatment, severe cervical dysplasia may develop invasive cancer. It can take 10 or more years for cervical dysplasia to develop into cancer. The risk of cancer is lower for mild dysplasia.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are age 21 or older and have never had a pelvic examination and Pap smear.

See: Physical exam frequency

  • Reviewed last on: 2/28/2011
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Cervical cancer in adolescents: screening, evaluation, and manage- ment. Committee Opinion No. 463. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;116:469–72.

ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 99: management of abnormal cervical cytology and histology. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;112(6):1419-1444.

Wright TC Jr, Massad LS, Dunton CJ, et al. American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology-sponsored Consensus Conference: 2006 consensus guidelines for the management of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or adenocarcihnoma in situ. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007;197(4):340-345.

Wright TC Jr, Massad LS, Dunton CJ, et al. American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology-sponsored Consensus Conference: 2006 consensus guidelines for the management of women with abnormal cervical cancer screening tests. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007;197(4):346-355.

Kahn JA. HPV vaccination for the prevention of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. N Engl J Med. 2009;361:271-278.

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