A Pap smear, in which a doctor takes a sample from the cervix, is typically a part of a woman's annual gynecological examination. If any changes to the cervical cells has occurred, the Pap smear will come back as abnormal with a report containing a corresponding type of cervical dysplasia, which describes the abnormal cells. MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, explains that cervical dysplasia results from a Pap smear are called squamous intraepithelial lesions or SIL. If a woman has a cervical biopsy done, the report lists the cervical dysplasia by different grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or CIN.
Mild Dysplasia
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists explains that mild dysplasia, the least severe type of cervical dysplasia, is a low-grade SIL on a Pap smear and a CIN I on a cervical biopsy. With mild dysplasia, only a few abnormal cells exist in the cervical lining. Mild dysplasia usually goes away on its own, though MedlinePlus recommends that a Pap smear be repeated every three to six months. Women with mild dysplasia may have treatment done if the abnormal cells do not go away after two years.
Moderate Dysplasia
With moderate dysplasia, the biopsy comes back with a high-grade SIL and the Pap smear's result is CIN II. Epigee, a women's health website, points out that with moderate dysplasia, half of the cervical lining contains abnormal cells. Women with moderate dysplasia can undergo treatments that remove the abnormal cells. MedlinePlus explains that treatment options include laser vaporization, surgery, cryosurgery and electrocauterization. Cryosurgery freezes the tissue to remove the abnormal cells, while electrocauterization uses heat.
Severe Dysplasia
Epigee explains that severe dysplasia, also called carcinoma-in-situ, is a CIN III and a high-grade SIL. With severe dysplasia, the entire cervical surface contains abnormal cells, but the cancer has not spread outside of that region. Doctors can use laser vaporization, electocauterization and cryosurgery with severe dysplasia since the cancer is not invasive. MedlinePlus notes that 30 to 50 percent of untreated severe cervical dysplasia progress into invasive cancer.
Invasive Cervical Cancer
Epigee points out that with the most severe type of cervical dysplasia, invasive cervical cancer, the entire cervix has abnormal cells, which includes the cervical lining and internal structure of the cervix. Invasive cervical cancer can affect other parts of the body. Each year, more than 10,000 American women develop invasive cervical cancer, according to the MayoClinic.com. Treatment options for invasive cervical cancer include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
References
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Understanding Abnormal Pap Tests Results
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Cervical Dysplasia
- Epigee: Are You at Risk for Cervical Cancer? Cervical Dysplasia Symptoms and Treatment
- National Cancer Institute: Definition of Invasive Cervical Cancer
- MayoClinic.com: Cervical Cancer
