Normal Values:

A specialist called a pathologist will examine the tissue sample from the cervical biopsy and will report to your doctor whether the cells appear normal or abnormal.

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal biopsy results may indicate problems, such as:

• Abnormal tissue or cell growth in the cervix (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia)
• Cancer

Colposcopy may be used to keep track of precancerous cells and look for abnormalities that come back after treatment. Problems that may be biopsied or monitored include:

• Abnormal patterns in the blood vessels
• Areas that are swollen, worn away, or wasted away (atrophic)
• Whitish patches on the cervix

Other findings may be signs of cervical polyps.