What cellular changes does HPV cause?
HPV, Human Papiloma Virus, causes abnormal Pap smear results because HPV is a virus which infects skin cells. When subclinical HPV infects the skin cells in the cervix (skin cells on the cervix are called squamous cells), it causes the cells to change and become abnormal.
What does mild HPV changes mean?
LSIL means that there are low-grade changes. LSIL changes are usually caused by HPV infection. Although the changes may go away on their own, further testing is usually done to find out whether there are more severe changes that need to be treated. Possible next steps: Colposcopy and biopsy.
What does mild dysplasia mean?
There are different types of dysplasia. Mild dysplasia, called low-grade intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) is one type. Moderate or severe dysplasia, called high-grade intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) is another type of dysplasia. LSIL and HSIL may or may not become cancer.
How is mild dysplasia treated?
Treatment for moderate-to-severe dysplasia or mild dysplasia that does not go away may include:
- Cryosurgery to freeze abnormal cells.
- Laser therapy, which uses light to burn away abnormal tissue.
- LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure), which uses electricity to remove abnormal tissue.
Can mild dysplasia go away?
In most cases, mild dysplasia resolves on its own and doesn’t become cancerous. Your doctor may recommend follow-up in a year to check for additional changes. If you have severe dysplasia (CIN II or III), your doctor may recommend treatment, such as surgery or other procedures to remove the abnormal cells.
How serious is mild dysplasia?
Do I need a colposcopy if I have HPV?
Minor cell changes may be caused by HPV infection. You can get an HPV test—if you haven’t already had one—to find out if you have a type of HPV that can increase your risk of getting cervical cancer. If you have one of these types, colposcopy is recommended.
Should I tell my partner I have HPV?
Do I need to tell my partner? This is entirely your decision. Most men and women with HPV infection carry the infection without ever being aware of it. HPV infection does not need to be treated and in 95% cases, you would get rid of it through your immunity.
Can a mild dysplasia of the cervix be permanent?
Mild dysplasia is not a permanent feature once it occurs. It can come and go, being present on a woman’s cervix (and Pap smear) at one time and not another. This happens because the HPV virus that is a pre-requisite for these changes can lie dormant within the cervical skin cells.
Can a person with cervical dysplasia get cervical cancer?
The presence of cervical dysplasia and/or HPV does not indicate cervical cancer. However, precancerous cells can become cancerous. High-risk HPV types 16 and 18 cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer.
How can you tell if you have cervical dysplasia?
Cervical dysplasia is detected by a pap test (pap smear). It is diagnosed with a biopsy. Abnormal changes in cells can be mild, moderate, or severe. The presence of cervical dysplasia does not mean you have cervical cancer. But the cells could lead to cancer if they are not treated.
How long does it take for mild dysplasia to develop into cancer?
If not treated, about 10% of women who develop mild dysplasia, will demonstrate a slow progression to moderate, then severe dysplasia, and ultimately develop invasive cancer of the cervix. This process generally takes about 10 years, although occasionally it can progress much more rapidly.
