Cervical Dysplasia Treatment

Cervical dysplasia affects women 25 to 35 years old and often comes with no symptoms. Because there aren't symptoms, it is important that women starting with menstruation have an annual gynecological exam. Without treatment, cervical dysplasia may turn into invasive cancer.

Causes and Prevention

• Get regular checkups.

  The cause of cervical dysplasia is not always clear, but it can be caused by an infection of HPV (human papillomavirus). HPV infects the cervix and causes the abnormal cells, which should be noticed by your gynecologist through a Pap smear.
  Doctors are also concerned that cervical dysplasia could be caused by being sexually active before 18 years old, giving birth before 16 years old, having multiple partners, other illnesses that suppress your immune system, smoking and previous illnesses such as genital warts.

What Is It?

• According to Webster's Dictionary, "Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), also known as cervical dysplasia, is the potentially premalignant transformation and abnormal growth on the cervix."

Different Strains

• The varieties of dysplasia can vary--meaning that the treatment of it depends on how serious the strain is.
  Low-risk strains can be monitored by having Pap smears every four to six months.
  High-risk strains require either biopsy, partial removal or total removal. This could take several months to treat.

Treatment

• Surgical options are available for advanced dysplasia and cervical cancer.

  Options for removal of abnormal cells include electrocauterization, cryosurgery, laser vaporization and surgery.
  Electrocauterization uses electricity to heal tissue. It breaks down the abnormal cells and uses heat to stop bleeding.
  Cryosurgery uses nitrous oxide to freeze off abnormal cells. It's only used for small areas of abnormal cells and is often said to be inappropriate for women with advanced dysplasia.
  Laser vaporization is known as CO2 laser. This uses infrared light to vaporize the abnormal area.
  Surgery is the last option for when the abnormal cells occupy a larger area or are very developed and potentially cancerous. Surgery removes the cells and also allows doctors to biopsy the removed tissue.

Hysterectomy

• Hysterectomy is the last option once the abnormal cells have taken over and are deemed to be cancerous. To prevent the cancer from spreading, a hysterectomy, or total removal of the uterus, is done.