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CERVICAL DYSPLASIA

Nervous System Diseases, Women's Health / By

CERVICAL DYSPLASIA

Cervical dysplasia is a condition characterized by a precancerous change in the lining cells of the cervix.

  • To put it more clearly, cervical dysplasia occurs when healthy cells on the cervix undergo some abnormal changes.
  • The cervix is the lower end of the uterus that leads into the vagina.
  • Cervical dysplasia may be mild, moderate, or severe depending on the appearance of the abnormal cells.
  • Having cervical dysplasia does not mean that a person has cancer or will ever develop cancer.
  • Although in some cases, if not caught early and treated, cervical dysplasia may lead to cervical cancer.
  • The condition is more common in women between the ages of 25 to 35.

CAUSES

Cervical dysplasia is caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV virus is a sexually transmitted virus and can be gotten from anal, oral, or vaginal sex. Several strains of HPV exist, some are low-risk and others are high-risk.

In most cases, the immune system eliminates HPV and clears the infection. But in some women, the HPV persist over time rather than resolve. Persistent HPV infection has been shown to play a role in the development of precancerous changes in the cervix.

HPV strain 16 and 18 are known as high risk and are more associated with severe dysplasia and cervical cancer.

Risk factors may include:

  • Having multiple sexual partners
  • Smoking cigarette
  • Having a weakened immune system
  • Having sex before the age of 18
  • Childbirth before age 16
  • Using immunosuppressant drugs

SYMPTOMS

Cervical dysplasia does not produce any sign or symptom.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

According to the national guidelines, women should have a cervical screen beginning at age 21 and continuing at least every three years till age 50. This regular screening is essential to detect and treat early precancerous changes and prevent cervical cancer.

The screening choice is the PAP SMEAR. In this test, the doctor scrapes and brushes cells from your cervix and then examine them in the laboratory for abnormalities. On the Pap test result, if abnormal cells are present, this will be reported as:

  • Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL)
  • High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)
  • Atypical squamous or glandular cells

Your doctor may then recommend more tests, including

  • HPV testing
  • Colonoscopy which is an examination of the cervix, vagina, and vulva with a magnifying instrument, allowing the doctor to get a view of where the abnormal cells are growing and the degree of abnormality.
  • A biopsy may also be taken. In this procedure, a small piece of cervical tissue is removed and sent to a lab for further testing. When precancerous cells are seen in tissue biopsies of the cervix, it is graded as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I, II, III.

CIN I for mild, CIN II for moderate, CIN III for severe. CIN is another name for dysplasia.

TREATMENT

Treatment depends on the biopsy results and varies with the degree of dysplasia present.

CIN I usually resolves on its own and may require no treatment. In most cases, it doesn’t become cancerous. The doctor may recommend follow up in a year to check and monitor your condition and check for reoccurrence of dysplasia.

For CIN II and III, treatment is usually carried out and involves removing the areas of abnormal cells to discontinue them from growing and becoming cancerous.

Treatment option may include cryosurgery, laser surgery, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cold knife conization, and hysterectomy.

If your condition is treated, you will need to be monitored frequently.