Precancerous cervical lesions, also called cervical dysplasia, are abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Cervical dysplasia is classified as low or high grade. Low grade cervical dysplasia grows slowly and may resolve without treatment, the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) states. Without treatment, severe high grade cervical dysplasia progresses to cervical cancer 30 to 50 percent of the time. Treatment of cervical dysplasia is surgical removal or destruction of abnormal cells.
Cervical Conization
Cervical conization, also called cone biopsy, is a surgical procedure done in an operating room to remove abnormal cervical lesions. General anesthesia puts the patient to sleep for the procedure. A cone shaped or cylindrical piece of tissue is removed from the cervix, using a laser or scalpel, and sent to the laboratory to be examined for abnormal cells. Cervical conization can damage the cervix and make future pregnancy difficult, due to cervical scarring. Heavy bleeding may also occur during the procedure. Cervical conization is used for cases of severe dysplasia; cure rate is 70 to 80 percent.
Cryocauterization
Cryocauterization utilizes liquid nitrogen to freeze the abnormal cervical lesions. This technique destroys 99 percent of the abnormal cells, UMMC states. The procedure can be done without anesthesia in the office. Cramping during the procedure is common; flushing and abdominal pain may also occur. Watery discharge for 4 to 8 weeks is typical. Infection is possible but not uncommon. Freezing is not as effective when used for large areas of dysplasia but can be used for small areas of mild dysplasia, gynecologist Paul Indman of San Jose, California states on his website, Advanced Gynecology Solutions
Laser
Lasers are high energy beams of light that can be precisely focused on the abnormal cervical lesions. The procedure can be done in an office setting. Local anesthesia numbs the cervix, and the laser beam evaporates the abnormal tissue. Bleeding and slight cramping may occur during the procedure. The cervix heals faster after laser than cryocauterization, and also makes it easier for the cervix to be re-evaluated for abnormal cells after the procedure. Allergic reaction to the local anesthesia is possible. Bleeding, inflammation and foul smelling discharge may also occur. Laser treatment has a 90 percent cure rate, UMMC states.
LEEP
LEEP stands for loop electrocautery excision procedure, where a heated coil is used to destroy abnormal cervical lesions. Local anesthesia numbs the cervix before the procedure. The abnormal cells are removed with the heated wire loop. The procedure is done in the office or in the hospital as an outpatient procedure and takes between 10 and 30 minutes. Cramping and bleeding may occur during the procedure, and a blackish discharge is common after the procedure. Infection is more common after LEEP than after other cervical dysplasia removal procedures. LEEP has a 90 percent cure rate, according to UMMC.
