What do colposcopy results show?

Colposcopies primarily check for cancer cells or cells that could become cancer if not treated (also called cervical dysplasia

cervical dysplasia

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), also known as cervical dysplasia, is the abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix that could potentially lead to cervical cancer. More specifically, CIN refers to the potentially precancerous transformation of cells of the cervix.

https://en.wikipedia.org › Cervical_intraepithelial_neoplasia

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia - Wikipedia

). Your provider will look for these cells in your cervix, vagina and external genitals (vulva). Colposcopies can also test for genital warts and noncancerous growths called polyps.

What can a colposcopy detect?

A colposcopy is used to find cancerous cells or abnormal cells that can become cancerous in the cervix, vagina, or vulva. These abnormal cells are sometimes called “precancerous tissue.” A colposcopy also looks for other health conditions, such as genital warts or noncancerous growths called polyps.

Can doctor see cervical cancer during colposcopy?

Your doctor can use a colposcopy to diagnose cervical cancer, genital warts, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer, as well. Once your doctor gets the results from your colposcopy, they'll know whether or not you need further tests.

What happens if colposcopy is abnormal?

You may need treatment if the results of your colposcopy show that there are abnormal cells in your cervix. The abnormal cells will be removed, which usually involves removing an area of the cervix about the size of a finger tip.

What does normal colposcopy results mean?

Normal result

About 4 in 10 colposcopy results are normal. This means no cell changes (abnormal cells) were found in your cervix during colposcopy or biopsy. You can have a normal colposcopy result even if you had an abnormal cervical screening result. This is because cervical screening does not diagnose cell changes.

Colposcopy results- What to expect after a Colposcopy

Will I always test positive for HPV?

People often never know they have caught it or passed it on. “HPV could've been there for years before it shows up, if it ever does,” says Ramondetta. When talking to your partner about your diagnosis, remember 80% of people will have HPV at some point in their life.

What if your cervical biopsy is positive?

However, if you recently had a cervical biopsy, you may need repeated Pap and HPV testing sooner. A positive test, on the other hand, means that cancer or precancerous cells have been found and further diagnosis and treatment may be needed.

What are the symptoms of HPV in females?

Should I get a hysterectomy if I have precancerous cells?

If the precancerous disease is more extensive or involves adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and the woman has completed childbearing, a total hysterectomy may be recommended. 1 During a total hysterectomy, the entire uterus (including the cervix) is removed.

How serious are precancerous cells?

Often, precancerous lesions are not invasive and a person will not develop cancer. In some cases these precancerous cells, if left alone, may go on to become “invasive” cancer cells. Sometimes, it may take these cells a few years, or even decades to progress.

What was your first cervical cancer symptom?

How do you feel when you have cervical cancer?

Does colposcopy detect STD?

Your provider performs a colposcopy when she's concerned about an abnormal Pap smear test or other abnormalities — such as changes in your vagina, cervix or uterus. A colposcopy may also help your doctor determine if you need to have a test for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Can colposcopy remove abnormal cells?

Your colposcopist can then remove the area of tissue with the abnormal cells. This is not painful but you may feel some pressure.

Can a colposcopy detect endometriosis?

Most patients with endometriosis of the cervix are asymptomatic. A substantial number of patients reported in the literature only had abnormal smear results and were diagnosed during colposcopy or by pathologic examinations of their biopsy or hysterectomy specimens.

Can HPV make you feel unwell?

HPV usually doesn't make you feel sick or cause any symptoms. Your immune system can fight off the infection before you ever know you have it, but you could still spread it to others before that happens. If you do get symptoms, the most common signs of HPV are genital warts.

What are the signs of needing a hysterectomy?

Will having a hysterectomy get rid of HPV?

A hysterectomy will not cure the HPV which has caused the CIN, as there is no cure for HPV, but the CIN cannot have spread anywhere else in your body and will only be in your cervix area-it doesn't travel through the bloodstream, and remains where the HPV infection is.

What color is HPV discharge?

Increased vaginal discharge, which may be pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody, or foul-smelling. Abnormal vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods, after sex, douching or a pelvic exam.

Does HPV cause a smell?

Usually does not have symptoms until it is quite advanced. As the cancer progresses, the following signs and symptoms of more advanced cervical cancer may appear: Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause. Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor.

Is HPV serious for females?

HPV can cause cervical and other cancers, including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat (called oropharyngeal cancer). This can include the base of the tongue and tonsils. Cancer often takes years, even decades, to develop after a person gets HPV.

What are the symptoms of abnormal cervical cells?

Symptoms of cervical cancer usually do not appear until abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding that starts and stops between regular menstrual periods, or that occurs after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam.

What happens if you have precancerous cervical cells?

Precancerous conditions of the cervix are changes to cervical cells that make them more likely to develop into cancer. These conditions are not yet cancer. But if they aren't treated, there is a chance that these abnormal changes may become cervical cancer.

Do I need a colposcopy if I have HPV?

If you test positive for HPV 16/18, you will need to have a colposcopy. If you test positive for HPV (but did not have genotyping performed or had genotyping and tested negative for 16/18), you will likely have a colposcopy.