 | What is Cervical Dysplasia? |
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| The term "plasia" means growth. The prefix "Dys" means disordered. Together they form dysplasia which means literally "disordered growth." Cervical Dysplasia means that there is abnormal or disordered cell growth on the cervix. |
| How is Cervical Dysplasia Diagnosed? |
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| A tiny sample of cells on the cervix is taken during a Pap smear. This sample is then examined by microscope for any irregularities. In mild dysplasia or CIN 1 (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) only a few cells are abnormal. For CIN 2 classification, or moderate dysplasia, about half of the cells on the skin of the cervix are abnormal. The most serious, but still highly treatable severe dysplasia is categorized as CIN III. |
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| What causes Cervical Dysplasia? |
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| Exposure to HPV, typically through sexual intercourse with an infected partner can lead to cervical dysplasia. Most abnormal cell changes detected by a Pap Smear are classified as "ASCUS" which means "Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance". Meaning that cell changes are present but it may or may not be due to HPV infection. |
| I was diagnosed with CIN 1, mild Dysplasia, Do I need treatment? |
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| This is a decision that should be left to you and your doctor. With mild dysplasia many women choose simply to "watch and wait" as the changes may heal themselves through the natural immune process. Statistically, mild dysplasia is more likely to go away without any treatment than severe dysplasia. Sixty to 80 percent of CIN 1 dysplasias typically resolve on their own, and only about 1 percent progress to invasive cervical cancer. |
| I was diagnosed with severe dysplasia, Do I have cancer? |
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| Cervical Dysplasia, even severe, should be considered pre-cancerous but not cancer. It is important to realize dysplasia is limited to the "skin" of the cervix, and has not invaded into the underlying tissue. Without treatment however, severe cervical dysplasia is much more likely than CIN 1 dysplasia to develop into cervical cancer. This is a long, slow, process taking 10-20 years for severe dysplasia to progress to invasive cancer. It is extremely uncommon for dysplasia to progress to cancer if it is properly treated and you have regular follow up exams. |
Sources:
American Medical Association
Gyn-Alternatives
Center For Disease Control |
