Cervical Dysplasia Symptoms & Diagnosis

Pap Smear

Regular pap smears can help diagnose or monitor cervical dysplasia. Cells are collected from your cervix. They are sent to a lab for analysis. If abnormal cell growth is found, a colposcopy may be done. In this process the cervix is examined through a low power microscope.

HPV DNA Analysis

This will test for both the presence and the type of HPV in cervical tissues. There are many HPV types. Some are more high-risk for cancer than others. The test is often done with the newer liquid-based pap smear. The presence of abnormal cells and high-risk HPV DNA increases the risk of significant disease. In this case, more evaluation and treatment will be needed.

Colposcopy and Biopsy

The cervix is lightly coated with a vinegar solution. This will highlight abnormal cells. A magnifying scope is used to examine the cervix. A biopsy will be done on any area that shows abnormal changes. A biopsy is the removal of tiny bits of tissue. A sample of the cells of the canal of the cervix will also be taken. This is done with a small brush. The biopsy and the sample of cells from the cervical canal will be sent to a lab for analysis. In the lab abnormal cell growth will be classified as one of the following:

• Mild
• Moderate
• Severe (carinoma-in-situ)
• Cancerous