If the abnormal cells persis, you may need further treatment, which may include the following:
- A colposcopy is an examination in which a speculum is inserted into the vagina, and the cervix is painted with a vinegar...
- Cryosurgery, or freezing of the abnormal cells, is usually performed next. Cone biopsy is a procedure in which a...
What to do if you have an abnormal Pap smear?
Doctors recommend pap smear tests for ... appear to be normal or abnormal. Simply finding abnormal cells, however, doesn’t automatically mean that you have cervical cancer. It just means that your doctor will need to do further tests to see what ...
What are the next steps after an abnormal Pap smear?
“The next step following an abnormal result depends on the type of abnormality, the age of the patient and whether it is her first abnormal result,” Brown says. “As many as 1 in 10 Pap smears can be abnormal, but the majority of these are low-grade abnormalities and do not become cervical cancer.”
What to expect if you have an abnormal Pap smear?
- Genital warts (herpes)
- Trichomoniasis (another common STI)
- Other infections
- General inflammation
Should you worry about an abnormal Pap smear?
While there are many reasons to get “abnormal Pap smear” results, this screening protocol is largely used to catch precancerous or cancerous cervical cells before they become more serious and difficult to treat. First and foremost, do not panic if you get an abnormal Pap smear result.
What procedure is done when you have an abnormal Pap smear?
If your Pap smear is abnormal, your doctor may perform a procedure called colposcopy using a special magnifying instrument (colposcope) to examine the tissues of the cervix, vagina and vulva. Your doctor also may take a tissue sample (biopsy) from any areas that appear abnormal.
What happens if you have an abnormal Pap smear?
Most often, the abnormal test result means there have been cell changes caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). That's the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and can be linked to cervical cancer. Changes to your cervical cells caused by HPV can be mild, moderate, or severe.
Should I worry if my Pap smear is abnormal?
Most abnormal Pap smear results are nothing to worry about Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it's important to follow up to make sure.
What is the treatment for abnormal cervical cells?
It's also known as loop electrosurgical excision (LEEP) or loop diathermy. This is the most common treatment for abnormal cervical cells. Your colposcopist uses a thin wire loop to remove the transformation zone of the cervix.
Will abnormal Pap go away?
They usually go away on their own and do not require treatment. CIN 2 changes are moderate and are typically treated by removing the abnormal cells. However, CIN 2 can sometimes go away on its own. Some women, after consulting with their health care provider, may decide to have a colposcopy with biopsy every 6 months.
Why would I need an ultrasound after a Pap smear?
Although Papanicolaou test (PAP smear) tests are the preferred screening tool, sonography can be used to assess the uterus, ovaries, and adnexa for any changes that would suggest abnormalities and disease.
Can an abnormal Pap smear become normal?
Cervical cell changes These images show how cervical cells that have long-lasting infections with high-risk HPV can change over time and become abnormal. Abnormal cervical cells may also return to normal even without treatment, especially in younger women.
Should I be worried if I need a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is a safe and quick procedure. However, some women find it uncomfortable and a few experience pain. Tell the doctor or nurse (colposcopist) if you find the procedure painful, as they will try to make you more comfortable. A colposcopy is a safe procedure to have during pregnancy.
Can you get rid of HPV?
There is no treatment for the virus itself. However, there are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause: Genital warts can go away with treatment from your healthcare provider or with prescription medicine. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in size or number.
How painful is a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is nearly pain-free. You might feel pressure when the speculum goes in. It might also sting or burn a little when they wash your cervix with the vinegar-like solution. If you get a biopsy, you might have some discomfort.
Should I be worried about abnormal cervical cells?
It is also natural to be concerned as to the severity of the cervical changes and what implications this may have on your health. However, an abnormal smear test result does not mean you have cancer. It simply means that there are changes to the cells which could potentially cause cancer in the future.
Do abnormal cells go away?
Most of the time, the abnormal cell changes are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection. Usually these cell changes go away on their own. But certain types of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer.
What happens if a pap smear comes back abnormal?
Learning that the results of your recent pap smear came back abnormal can generate feelings of anxiety and concern. Rest assured that the gynecologists and women’s health specialists in the Sutter Health network can help you understand your results and treatment options. Abnormal pap smear results are very common and can indicate a variety ...
What does abnormal pap smears mean?
Abnormal pap smear results are very common and can indicate a variety of issues. Some of the more serious issues include the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) or precancerous cells on the cervix. If you’re younger than age 30, your doctor may not have tested you for HPV—which is a separate test from the pap smear—so you may be asked ...
What to do if your doctor notices a suspicious cell?
If your doctor notices any suspicious cells, a small biopsy of the tissue may be taken and sent to the lab for further examination. If your biopsy results indicate the presence of precancerous cells or a type of HPV that’s more likely to cause cancer, your doctor may suggest treating the area using cryosurgery .
What is the procedure called for precancerous cells?
Your doctor may suggest a different treatment method for precancerous cells called the loop electrosurgical excision procedure ( LEEP). During this outpatient procedure, your doctor applies a numbing agent to the cervix so you won’t feel any pain.
How does a wire loop help the cervix?
Then a thin wire loop that emits an electrical current cuts away a small layer of cells on your cervix. The electrical current cauterizes the tissue on your cervix to help prevent bleeding. In many cases, this procedure removes all of the abnormal cells and additional surgery isn’t needed.
What does a gynecologist do during a colposcopy?
During a colposcopy, your gynecologist uses a microscope to get a more detailed look at the cells on your cervix. After gently swabbing your cervix with a vinegar or iodine solution, your doctor looks for signs of abnormal tissue.
What is the procedure to remove cervix?
Another procedure that can both diagnose and treat abnormal cells is the cold knife cone biopsy. This procedure is done in a hospital setting under general anesthesia or other sedation. During this procedure, your doctor removes a cone-shaped area of tissue around the cervix.
What are the symptoms of a Pap smear?
An abnormal Pap smear may indicate any of the following: 1 An infection or an inflammation 2 Herpes 3 Trichomoniasis 4 Recent sexual activity 5 HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) This is also called genital warts (up to 60% of women may carry this virus on their cervix, genital area, or skin and are completely unaware of it). 6 Dysplasia (abnormal cells that can be pre-cancerous)
What does it mean when a Pap smear is abnormal?
An abnormal Pap smear may indicate that you have an infection or abnormal cells called dysplasia. It’s important to remember that abnormal Pap smear results do not mean you have cancer. These results just show that further ...
What is a squamous cell smear?
This result means the cells collected for the Pap smear appear so abnormal that the pathologist is almost certain a cancer is present .”Squamous cell cancer” refers to cancers arising in the flat surface cells of the vagina or cervix.
What does an abnormal Pap smear indicate?
An abnormal Pap smear may indicate any of the following: An infection or an inflammation. Herpes. Trichomoniasis. Recent sexual activity. HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) This is also called genital warts(up to 60% of women may carry this virus on their cervix, genital area, or skin and are completely unaware of it).
What is the treatment for abnormal cells in the cervix?
If the abnormal cells persis, you may need further treatment, which may include the following: A colposcopy is an examination in which a speculum is inserted into the vagina, and the cervix is painted with a vinegar solution which makes any abnormal areas stand out.
What test can be done to detect HPV?
In 2003, the FDA approved a screening test that can be done in conjunction with a Pap smear to determine if you have the HPV virus. The HPV DNA test can detect high-risk types of HPV before any abnormal cells can be detected on the cervix.
What is the procedure to remove abnormal cells?
Cryosurgery, or freezing of the abnormal cells, is usually performed next. Cone biopsy is a procedure in which a triangle of cervical tissue is removed including the abnormal cells; this is either performed in a doctor’s office or as an outpatient procedure.
What is a Pap smear?
What’s a Pap smear? A Pap smear (or Pap test) is a simple procedure that looks for abnormal cell changes in the cervix. The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus, located at the top of your vagina. The Pap smear test can detect precancerous cells. Precancerous cells can be removed before they have a chance to develop into cervical cancer, ...
What does it mean when a Pap smear is normal?
That means there’s no evidence that you have abnormal cervical cells and you won’t need to think about it again until your next scheduled test. If you don’t receive a normal result, it doesn’t mean that you have cancer. It doesn’t even necessarily mean there’s anything wrong.
What is the procedure called when abnormal cells are removed during a colposcopy?
Abnormal cells can be destroyed by freezing, known as cryosurgery, or removed using a cone biopsy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). Removing abnormal cells can prevent cervical cancer from ever developing.
What is the next step in Pap test?
It takes additional testing to confirm cancer. If your Pap results are unclear or inconclusive, the next step will likely be a colposcopy. A colposcopy is a procedure in which your doctor uses a microscope to inspect your cervix.
How long before a Pap test can you get results?
While no real preparation is necessary, there are a few things that can affect Pap results. For more accurate results, avoid these things for two days before your scheduled test: A Pap test can be performed during your period, but it’s better if you schedule it between periods.
Can a Pap smear detect cancer?
The Pap smear test can detect precancerous cells. Precancerous cells can be removed before they have a chance to develop into cervical cancer, which makes this test a potential lifesaver. These days, you’re more likely to hear it called a Pap test rather than a Pap smear.
Can you have a repeat Pap test?
When Pap results are unclear or inconclusive, your doctor may want to schedule a repeat test in the near future. If you didn’t have Pap and HPV co-testing, an HPV test might be ordered. It’s performed similarly to the Pap test. There’s no specific treatment for asymptomatic HPV.
What to do if you have HPV?
If your results show you have HPV then cytology will be done to look at the cells under the microscope in more detail. If the results are abnomal then you will be referred to a colposcopy clinic for a closer look at your cervix. During this examination, your doctor or specialist nurse (colposcopist) can take samples (biopsies) of any abnormal areas.
What is the treatment for cervix pain?
Freezing treatment. This is called cryotherapy. The colposcopist uses a cold probe to freeze away the abnormal cells. You shouldn't be able to feel the probe on your cervix, but you might get a period type pain while you are being treated and for a short while afterwards.
How does a colposcopist help your vagina?
Your legs are supported by 2 leg rests. Your colposcopist gently puts a medical instrument called a speculum into your vagina to hold it open (like when you have a cervical screening test). They look through the colposcope to examine your cervix. They inject some local anaesthetic into your cervix.
What is the advantage of colposcopists?
The advantage of these treatments is that the piece of cervical tissue that the colposcopist removes can be sent for examination under a microscope. In the laboratory, the pathologist rechecks the level of cell changes in the piece of tissue to make sure your screening result was accurate.
Can a colposcopist take a biopsy?
During this examination, your doctor or specialist nurse (colposcopist) can take samples (biopsies) of any abnormal areas. The colposcopist might offer you treatment at the same time as your colposcopy. Or you may go back for treatment once they have your biopsy results. If you tested positive for HPV but your cytology results were normal then you ...
Can a doctor take a sample of your cervix?
The doctor or nurse can take samples of your cervix during this test. You need to have treatment if this comes back showing changes. Treatment depends on how abnormal the cells are. Your doctor might remove the area of abnormal cells or you might have treatment that kills the abnormal cells. The treatment you need for abnormal cervical cell changes ...
Can you remove the whole womb?
In some cases, if you are past your menopause or have had all the children you want to have, your doctor may suggest removing the whole of your womb (includes the cervix). This is more likely if you’ve had abnormal cells on your cervix more than once. Or if the abnormality found was severe. In other words, you have not got cervical cancer, but ...
What is a Pap smear?
Pap smears are screening tests and do not tell you specifically what is causing the abnormal results . The abnormal cell changes can be mildly abnormal or seriously abnormal. The degree of abnormal cells on the Pap smear is what helps your healthcare provider make recommendations for your follow-up. The most common categories ...
What causes abnormal pap smears?
Abnormal Pap Smears are typically caused by strains of the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV. An abnormal pap smear result does not mean you have cervical cancer. High risk strains can cause more serious cellular changes. Typically, both high and low risk strains of HPV go away within 24 months. It's recommended that you get your first pap smear at age 21.
What is the best way to check if a Pap smear is HSIL?
If the Pap smear is HSIL the recommendation is for you to have a colposcopy. A colposcope allows your healthcare provider to view the cells on your cervix more closely (it's like looking under a microscope) and possibly take samples of abnormal cells for further evaluation by a laboratory. This is called a biopsy.
Why is a Pap smear abnormal?
HPV, Human Papiloma Virus, causes abnormal Pap smear results because HPV is a virus which infects skin cells. When subclinical HPV infects the skin cells in the cervix (skin cells on the cervix are called squamous cells), it causes the cells to change and become abnormal.
What does HPV test tell you?
You may also choose to have a test for HPV. This test will tell you if you have the high or low risk types of HPV. The HPV test is helpful if the results indicate that you have the low risk types of HPV because you will know that there is little chance that the cell changes found on your Pap smear will get worse.
What is the name of the virus that is found on a Pap smear?
Sometimes bacteria or other viruses such as Herpes are identified on Pap smear results. When this happens, Women's Health Specialists may attempt to contact you to offer you further evaluation and treatment.
When should women have their first cancer screening?
On Friday, November 20, 2009, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announced that women should have their first cancer screening at age 21 and can be rescreened less frequently than previously recommended.
What is abnormal Pap smear?
An abnormal Pap smear result of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) means that cells of the cervix (the narrow neck of a woman's uterus) look somewhat to very abnormal when examined under a microscope. 1 . Before cervical cancer forms, the cells of the cervix undergo abnormal changes called cervical dysplasia.
How many cervical cancers are preventable?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 93% of cervical cancers are preventable with regular screening and treatment of abnormalities that arise. 3 This is why women undergo regular Pap smear exams to screen for any abnormal changes to the cervix. JodiJacobson / Getty Images.
What is the follow up care for HSIL?
Follow-Up Care After Treatment. Following up after treatment for HSIL is absolutely necessary. Cells can become abnormal again, despite treatment, and may require additional treatment. Follow-up care consists of regular Pap smears and colposcopy exams for an extended period of time.
What is a colposcopy exam?
A colposcopy exam is an in-office procedure that allows a doctor to visually examine the cervix with a lighted instrument called a colposcope. 4 During the exam, the colposcope remains outside of the vagina. It acts like a microscope, allowing an in-depth view of the cervix.
Can a Pap smear show HPV?
Pap smear screening results, such as HSIL, aren't enough to make a diagnosis and plan treatment (they represent only a sampling of cells). If Pap smear results come back as HSIL, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy exam and biopsy. This is true whether or not an HPV test is positive or negative. A colposcopy exam is an in-office procedure ...
Can HPV be tested with a Pap smear?
HPV testing is most often done along with a Pap smear, and if it was not done, should be performed on the sample. This testing looks for the high-risk forms of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer, including HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68, with HPV 16 and 18 most commonly found.
Can cervical excision cause premature births?
The primary risk with excision methods is of pregnancy complications, such as premature births, in the future. Since abnormal cervical changes alone may increase the risk of preterm births, your doctor will help you understand the best option for you if you plan to become pregnant in the future. 4 .