When is a LEEP procedure necessary?

Why might I need a LEEP? LEEP may be done when cervical or vaginal problems are found during a pelvic exam, or abnormal cells are found during a Pap test. LEEP is also done to detect cancer of the cervix or vagina. Cells that appear to be abnormal, but are not yet cancerous, may be called precancerous.

How important is it to get a LEEP done?

“A LEEP is a really important procedure because it prevents cervical cancer,” says gynecologic oncologist Kathleen Schmeler, M.D. The abnormal cells found in the cervix are typically caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), but the LEEP can eliminate the effects of an HPV infection.

What percentage of LEEP procedure shows cancer?

Results. The colposcopic guided LEEP accurately determined 100% of the cervical cancer cases and 84.8 % of the high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cases. Involvement of the ectocervical or endocervical margin regions was found to be 5% and 10% respectively, in this study.

Can a LEEP procedure get rid of HPV?

Although LEEP does not completely eradicate HPV infection, our results indicate that most HR-HPV infections are cleared after LEEP with negative margins. The clearance rate is increasing gradually after surgery. Our persistence rate was 40.9 % at 6 months, 20 % at 12 months and 11.8 % at 18 months.

Is there an alternative to LEEP procedure?

Ablative therapies are now used much less commonly than LEEP, but have less of an impact on adverse obstetric outcomes, and hence are effective alternatives for treating cervical precancer in reproductive-aged women.

My honest LEEP procedure story

What will LEEP results show?

The purpose of a LEEP is to extract abnormal cells for further testing. The results will inform a doctor about whether a person has an underlying illness and what steps they should take next. A LEEP can help distinguish between precancerous cells and other abnormal cell types, such as polyps.

Why do some doctors do the LEEP procedure under general anesthesia?

LEEP is very safe. Complications are rare, and the procedure can take place without general anesthesia. As with any surgery, you may be at risk of infection or bleeding.

Does HPV come back after LEEP?

Results. In our study, the rate of persistent infection from HPV 16, after LEEP, was 15.9% (29/182) with 94% (17/18) of the recurring disease occurring within 18 months of follow up.

Do abnormal cells come back after LEEP?

LEEP works very well to treat abnormal cell changes on the cervix. If all of the abnormal tissue is removed, you won't need more surgery. In some studies, doctors were able to remove all the abnormal cells in almost every case. But abnormal cells may come back in the future.

Can you clear HPV after 30?

There is no cure for HPV, but 70% to 90% of infections are cleared by the immune system and become undetectable. HPV peaks in young women around age of sexual debut and declines in the late 20s and 30s. But women's risk for HPV is not over yet: There is sometimes a second peak around the age of menopause.

What if HPV does not go away?

In most cases (9 out of 10), HPV goes away on its own within two years without health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.

Does white spots on cervix mean cancer?

Typically, leukoplakia appears as a white plaque on the cervix, with a shiny, waxy surface and a sharp, raised margin. Leukoplakia due to high-grade precancerous lesions or cancer will always be in the transformation zone.

Does cervix grow back after LEEP?

This may be done with a small knife, an electric wire (LEEP), or with a laser. The removed tissue is then sent to the laboratory. The laboratory studies the tissue and makes sure the abnormal cells have been cut away. New tissue grows back in the cervix in four to six weeks.

How much of cervix is removed during LEEP?

LEEP is not necessarily the same as conization. For example, ectocervical LEEP sampling removes only the distal 8 to 10 mm of cervical tissue, limiting complications in patients who need no further exploration. It would be nearly impossible to perform a similar flat conization with the cold knife or laser.

What are the symptoms of HPV in females?

What does Stage 3 precancerous cells mean?

CIN 3 is not cancer, but may become cancer and spread to nearby normal tissue if not treated. Treatment for CIN 3 may include cryotherapy, laser therapy, loop electrosurgical procedure (LEEP), or cone biopsy to remove or destroy the abnormal tissue. CIN 3 is sometimes called high-grade or severe dysplasia.

Why does HPV keep coming back?

There's no guarantee that genital warts won't grow back again because HPV changes the cells of your body in a way that makes them likely to grow. If you have high-risk HPV that sticks around or goes dormant and keeps coming back, that's when it becomes cancer causing (or what doctors call oncogenic).

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.

How do I get rid of persistent HPV 16?

What are high grade precancerous cells in cervix?

High-grade squamous lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] 2 or 3) have a high risk of persisting or developing into cervical cancer over a period of years. If you are age 25 and older and not pregnant, CIN 2 or 3 is treated by removing or destroying the abnormal area.

Does HPV 16 go away?

Progression depends on the type of HPV strain and on the unique characteristics of the individual who is infected. The longer the virus is present, the higher the potential for a cancer to develop. The good news is that more than 90% of HPV 16 and 18 infections go away within 6 to18 months of initial exposure.

How long do you have to be off work after a LEEP procedure?

Rest for the rest of the day after your procedure. You can go back to work or school 1 or 2 days after your procedure. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®) if you have any discomfort. You can shower as usual, but don't take a bath until your doctor says it's okay.

What is the treatment for high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion?

The standard three-step treatment protocol for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) includes colposcopy and cervical biopsy, followed by the loop electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP) or conization if cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade II or III was found [1].

How long does a LEEP take?

A LEEP usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes. In most cases, you can have it done at your doctor's office. You'll lie on the exam table and your doctor will use a speculum to open your vagina, as if you were getting a Pap smear.