Do Abnormal Cells of High-Risk HPV Ever Clear Up on Their Own?

By Anonymous February 21, 2012 - 7:42pm

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Hi. I am very grateful to find this forum. I am a 38-year-old woman who has just had a pap smear that indicated the presence of abnormal cells and high-risk HPV strain second time over the course of last year. I have scheduled colposcopy. My question is whether, once the pap smear finds the persistence of abnormal cells, they ever go away on their own. In other words, should I prepare myself for a freezing or zapping procedure? And, if so, what procedure is best? I am concerned over this.

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Anonymous

Hi Anon,

Welcome to EmpowHER. Most of the time, abnormal cell changes on the cervix are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. Usually these cell changes go away on their own. But certain types of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer. That’s why it’s important for women to have regular Pap tests. It usually takes many years for cell changes in the cervix to turn into cancer. If you were diagnosed with Cervical dysplasia, Mild dysplasia 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)

I've included a link that might be helpful

https://www.empowher.com/condition/human-papillomavirus-hpv

Best,

Daisy

February 22, 2012 - 4:35am