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What Is HPV Dysplasia?

Dysplasia is a term referring to an abnormality in cell formation. Dysplasia in the cervix (the lower part of the uterus), may be caused by the human papillomavirus, abbreviated HPV.

  1. Identification

    • Dysplasia is identified in two different ways by a Pap smear: as a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) or a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, according to the Mayo Clinic and Medline Plus.

    Features

    • An HSIL is more likely to develop into cervical cancer than an LSIL, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Effects

    • Although a woman who has dysplasia as a result of infection with HPV may sometimes develop cervical cancer, cervical cancer does not occur in every case, according to WomensHealth.org.

    Considerations

    • It is unknown whether infection with HPV leads directly to cervical cancer, although 90 percent of women with cervical cancer also have HPV, according to WomensHealth.org. Although dysplasia can be removed, WomensHealth.org reports that it may recur due to HPV infection.

    Prevention/Solution

    • WomensHealth.org reports that Pap smears, which can detect dysplasia in its early stages, have greatly helped reduce deaths from cervical cancer.

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