Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?GradesTreatmentWhen to Retest
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Grades
Treatment
When to Retest
Cervical dysplasia is notcervical cancer. It’s a condition in which you have abnormal cells on the surface of your cervix, known ascervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN). Because it has some potential to develop into cancer, it’s often called aprecancer.
Each year, 250,000 to 1 million people get cervicaldysplasia.Different grades of cervical dysplasia range from mild to severe. While it can progress from one grade to another, that’s not always the case.
This article discusses what you should know about cervical dysplasia treatment and the risk of developing cervical cancer.
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Cervical Dysplasia: A Precursor, Not Actual Cancer
Cervical dysplasia is considered a precancer because some cells are abnormal compared to healthy cells, but these cells are not invasive.
Cervical dysplasia can clear up on its own and never cause a problem. But the more abnormal the cells are, the more likely they become cancerous. Most people treated for precancerous conditions of the cervix don’t develop cervical cancer.
Cervical Dysplasia Grades
If yourPap testresult is negative (normal), the test didn’t detect any cell changes on the cervix. An unclear, equivocal, or inconclusive result means there may be abnormal changes. You might need to take another test to clarify. Anabnormalresult means the test detected abnormal cells on the cervix.
A pathology report followingcervical biopsy(taking a sample of tissue for examinaiton in the lab) shows cervical dysplasia grades as follows:
How Quickly Does Cervical Dysplasia Progress?
Cervical changes happen slowly, and cervical dysplasia doesn’t always progress. It’s also possible to have CIN 3 (high grade) even if you didn’t have CIN 1 (low grade).
A more significant factor in progression may be persistenthuman papillomavirus(HPV) infection. HPV doesn’t always cause cervical cancer. But it does cause almost all cases of cervical dysplasia.
The immune system can usually take care of the short-term infection that causes low-grade changes to cervical cells. High-grade changes from long-lasting infections are more likely to become cancer without treatment. Factors that may promote longer-term infection are:
Chronic stressmay also be an independent risk factor for high-risk HPV in young women.
If you have a healthy immune system, cervical cancer can take 15 to 20 yearsto develop. If you have a weakened immune system, it may take five to 10 years.Healthcare professionals can’t be sure which cases will progress and which won’t.
Treatment: What Do Providers Do for Cervical Dysplasia?
If you have abnormal test results, the next step is usually acolposcopy.
Colposcopy is a procedure that lets your provider examine the cervix. Like a regular pelvic exam, your provider will use aspeculumto open the vagina. Then they’ll apply a vinegar solution to highlight abnormal areas. A colposcope (a thin instrument with a light and magnifying lens) allows a good view of the cervix. They’ll remove a sample of the abnormal tissue and send it to a lab.
If thecervical biopsyshows precancerous changes, your healthcare provider will make a recommendation based on factors such as grade, medical history, and overall health. Treatment involves removing or destroying abnormal cells. Some treatment options include:
You may have bleeding and other discharge during the first two to three weeks after your procedure. You might also experience discomfort or minor cramping. Your provider may recommend avoiding intercourse and tampons for four to six weeks.
Because CIN 1 often goes away on its own, your provider may not recommend immediate treatment. You’ll likely need follow-up testing in six to 12 months.
Many people find a pelvic exam with aspeculumuncomfortable or even painful. Anxiety before the exam is not uncommon.If you’ve had problems, tell your provider so they can help make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Here are a few ways to help make the exam easier:Ask your provider to talk you through the exam.Bring someone who can hold your hand and distract you.Practicedeep breathingduring the exam.Concentrate onmuscle relaxation.Use earbuds to listen to soothing music.
Many people find a pelvic exam with aspeculumuncomfortable or even painful. Anxiety before the exam is not uncommon.If you’ve had problems, tell your provider so they can help make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Here are a few ways to help make the exam easier:
When to Have Another Pap for Cervical Dysplasia
Cervical dysplasia can return, particularly if you have an ongoing HPV infection. Your provider will likely suggest a schedule for follow-up testing. This may includeHPVtesting or HPV/Pap co-testing in one to three years. Much depends on the grade from your previous test and personal risk factors for severe cervical cell changes and cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer screeningcan help prevent you from getting cervical cancer.
You can’t feel cervical dysplasia. Most people have no symptoms of HPV or cervical dysplasia until it develops into cancer. Getting regular Pap and HPV tests is the best way to find it.
Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VaIN): Low- and High-Grade Results
Summary
Cervical dysplasia means you have abnormal cells on the surface of your cervix. It’s not cancer. Cervical dysplasia can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild dysplasia often clears up without treatment.
But it’s considered a precancer because it has the potential to become invasive. Your provider may recommend treatment for moderate to severe dysplasia. This may involve removing or destroying the abnormal cells. With treatment, most cases of cervical dysplasia don’t progress to cancer. Finding and treating abnormal cells can help prevent cervical cancer from developing.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.Cervical dysplasia.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Canadian Cancer Society.Precancerous conditions of the cervix.National Cancer Institute.CIN 1.National Cancer Institute.CIN 2.National Cancer Institute.CIN 3.Bruno MT, Cassaro N, Bica F, Boemi S.Progression of cin1/lsil hpv persistent of the cervix: actual progression or cin3 coexistence. Cu-Uvin S, ed.Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology.2021;2021:1-6. doi:10.1155/2021/6627531American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Cervical cancer screening.Kuebler U, Fischer S, Mernone L, Breymann C, Abbruzzese E, Ehlert U.Is stress related to the presence and persistence of oncogenic human papillomavirus infection in young women?BMC Cancer.2021;21:419. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-08010-4American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Colposcopy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Cervical dysplasia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cervical dysplasia treatment.O’Laughlin DJ, Strelow B, Fellows N, et al.Addressing anxiety and fear during the female pelvic examination.J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:215013272199219. doi:10.1177/2150132721992195Additional ReadingNational Cancer Institute.Understanding cervical changes: a health guide.National Cancer Institute.HPV and Pap test results: Next steps after an abnormal cervical cancer screening test.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.Cervical dysplasia.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Canadian Cancer Society.Precancerous conditions of the cervix.National Cancer Institute.CIN 1.National Cancer Institute.CIN 2.National Cancer Institute.CIN 3.Bruno MT, Cassaro N, Bica F, Boemi S.Progression of cin1/lsil hpv persistent of the cervix: actual progression or cin3 coexistence. Cu-Uvin S, ed.Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology.2021;2021:1-6. doi:10.1155/2021/6627531American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Cervical cancer screening.Kuebler U, Fischer S, Mernone L, Breymann C, Abbruzzese E, Ehlert U.Is stress related to the presence and persistence of oncogenic human papillomavirus infection in young women?BMC Cancer.2021;21:419. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-08010-4American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Colposcopy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Cervical dysplasia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cervical dysplasia treatment.O’Laughlin DJ, Strelow B, Fellows N, et al.Addressing anxiety and fear during the female pelvic examination.J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:215013272199219. doi:10.1177/2150132721992195Additional ReadingNational Cancer Institute.Understanding cervical changes: a health guide.National Cancer Institute.HPV and Pap test results: Next steps after an abnormal cervical cancer screening test.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.Cervical dysplasia.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Canadian Cancer Society.Precancerous conditions of the cervix.National Cancer Institute.CIN 1.National Cancer Institute.CIN 2.National Cancer Institute.CIN 3.Bruno MT, Cassaro N, Bica F, Boemi S.Progression of cin1/lsil hpv persistent of the cervix: actual progression or cin3 coexistence. Cu-Uvin S, ed.Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology.2021;2021:1-6. doi:10.1155/2021/6627531American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Cervical cancer screening.Kuebler U, Fischer S, Mernone L, Breymann C, Abbruzzese E, Ehlert U.Is stress related to the presence and persistence of oncogenic human papillomavirus infection in young women?BMC Cancer.2021;21:419. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-08010-4American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Colposcopy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Cervical dysplasia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cervical dysplasia treatment.O’Laughlin DJ, Strelow B, Fellows N, et al.Addressing anxiety and fear during the female pelvic examination.J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:215013272199219. doi:10.1177/2150132721992195
Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.Cervical dysplasia.
World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.
Canadian Cancer Society.Precancerous conditions of the cervix.
National Cancer Institute.CIN 1.
National Cancer Institute.CIN 2.
National Cancer Institute.CIN 3.
Bruno MT, Cassaro N, Bica F, Boemi S.Progression of cin1/lsil hpv persistent of the cervix: actual progression or cin3 coexistence. Cu-Uvin S, ed.Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology.2021;2021:1-6. doi:10.1155/2021/6627531
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Cervical cancer screening.
Kuebler U, Fischer S, Mernone L, Breymann C, Abbruzzese E, Ehlert U.Is stress related to the presence and persistence of oncogenic human papillomavirus infection in young women?BMC Cancer.2021;21:419. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-08010-4
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Colposcopy.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Cervical dysplasia.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cervical dysplasia treatment.
O’Laughlin DJ, Strelow B, Fellows N, et al.Addressing anxiety and fear during the female pelvic examination.J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:215013272199219. doi:10.1177/2150132721992195
National Cancer Institute.Understanding cervical changes: a health guide.National Cancer Institute.HPV and Pap test results: Next steps after an abnormal cervical cancer screening test.
National Cancer Institute.Understanding cervical changes: a health guide.
National Cancer Institute.HPV and Pap test results: Next steps after an abnormal cervical cancer screening test.
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