Cervical Dysplasia

Cervical dysplasia or cervical lesions are terms used to describe the existence of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Cervical dysplasia can occur at any age after a woman becomes sexually active. Left untreated, dysplasia can progress to an early form of cancer known as cervical carcinoma in situ, and eventually to invasive cervical carcinoma.

The condition is most commonly associated with human papilloma virus infections, known as HPV. The risk of developing HPV infections increases with multiple sexual partners and sexual activity during the teenage years.

Cervical dysplasia does not cause symptoms. This is unfortunate, because the existence of symptoms could help providers diagnose cervical cancer at an earlier stage. Early detection is critical for the effective treatment of cervical dysplasia. The most commonly used test to diagnose cervical dysplasia is routine screening with a Pap test.

There are several classification systems used to describe the stage and severity of cervical dysplasia. The Bethesda System classifies dysplasia as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, low grade and high grade lesions. The CIN or Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grading System ranges from simple atypia to CIN I through CIN III and finally carcinoma in situ.

Cervical dysplasia can be treated in variety of ways. In some cases, the provider may choose to observe the abnormal cells to see if they will disappear on their own. In other cases the provider may choose to remove abnormal tissue using a technique known as Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, or LEEP.

Another treatment option involves freezing the cervix to remove abnormal tissue using a procedure called cryocautery. Laser surgery can also be used to vaporize the abnormal tissue. In this procedure, little or no damage occurs to surrounding tissue. Severe cases of cervical dysplasia can be treated using a procedure called conization, during which a cone of tissue is removed from the cervix.