Cervical Dysplasia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
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| Cervical Dysplasia |
Cervical Dysplasia
The term "cervical dysplasia" describes abnormal changes in the cells that line the cervix's surface. The small canal that connects your uterus and vagina is called your cervix. It lets fluids go out of your uterus and into it. Your cervix expands during childbirth so that a baby can be born. Additionally, your cervix is susceptible to HPV infections, which can result in cervical cancer. Getting Pap smears regularly and vaccinating against HPV can help prevent the disease.
Although the abnormal changes are not cancerous, they may develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. You can stop these abnormal cells from turning into cancer with early detection and treatment.
Causes Of Cervical Dysplasia
If you get infected with the HPV virus, which is spread through sexual contact, you can get cervical dysplasia. Your immune system will typically eradicate the virus. HPV is found in cervical cells in many women with cervical dysplasia. HPV infection is common in both men and women, most commonly affecting young, sexually active women.
There are more than 100 HPV strains. HPV-16 and HPV-18, for example, are more likely to infect your reproductive system and lead to cervical dysplasia.
More than 75% of sexually active cisgender women, according to estimates from scientists, are infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Between the ages of 15 and 25, approximately 50% of HPV infections occur. Frequently, the infections subside without causing long-term issues. Cervical dysplasia occurs when abnormal cells develop over time in rare cases.
Sexual contact, such as oral, vaginal, or anal sex, is typically the method by which HPV is transmitted from one person to another. However, it can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual. The virus can spread from one body part to another, including the cervix, once it is established.
Other factors that weaken the immune system and are linked to chronic HPV infection and cervical dysplasia include HIV infection, the virus that causes AIDS, treatment with immunosuppressive drugs for certain diseases, or after an organ transplant.
Risk Factors For Cervical Dysplasia
There are a few things that can make someone more likely to get cervical dysplasia. The most significant risk factor for cervical dysplasia, particularly moderate-to-severe dysplasia, is persistent HPV infection. Cigarette smoking, and even exposure to recycled smoke, can significantly increase an individual's risk of developing the condition.
The risk of cervical dysplasia can be increased by having multiple sexual partners, especially if you've had multiple partners in the past. However, some people can get the condition from just one partner. Risk factors include HIV-positive individuals, transplant recipients, and individuals taking immunosuppressive medications.
Symptoms Of Cervical Dysplasia
Typically, women suffering from cervical dysplasia do not exhibit symptoms. This is why regular screenings are so important. This is a routine part of the Pap smear. Changes in cells that are not visible to the naked eye can be identified using these tests. Vaginal spotting may occur irregularly or after sexual activity in some individuals.
However, if cervical dysplasia progresses into cervical cancer, the following symptoms may develop.
- Bruising during or after sexual activity
- Persistent vaginal discharge
- Painful sex
- Back and pelvic pain
- Vaginal irritation
Types Of Cervical Dysplasia
In the past, cervical dysplasia was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe based on the likelihood that abnormal cells would develop into cancer. A more recent method uses the number of abnormal cells in your cervix's epithelial tissue to classify disease severity. On a scale of one to three, Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is categorized.
- CIN 1: Refers to abnormal cells that affect about one-third of the epithelium's thickness.
- CIN 2: Refers to abnormal cells that affect somewhere between one and two-thirds of the epithelium.
- CIN 3: Refers to abnormal cells that affect more than two-thirds of the epithelium.
CIN 1 cervical dysplasia rarely progresses into cancer and frequently resolves by itself. CINs 2 and 3 are more likely to need cancer prevention treatment.
Diagnosis Of Cervical Dysplasia
A Pap test is required to make a diagnosis of cervical dysplasia. Your Pap test results may be abnormal if you have cervical dysplasia. A pap smear can produce a wide range of results. The most typical results include:
- Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US)
- Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL)
- High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)
Although cervical dysplasia can be identified by a Pap test as mild, moderate, or severe, additional tests are frequently required to determine the best course of treatment and follow-up. These are some:
Endocervical Curettage: This procedure looks for abnormal cells in the cervical canal.
Colposcopy: It is a magnified examination of the cervix to look for abnormal cells so that biopsies can be taken.
The HPV DNA Test: It can determine which HPV strains are known to cause cervical cancer.
Cone biopsy or The Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP): Both of which are used to rule out invasive cancer. A cone-shaped piece of tissue is taken out by the doctor during a cone biopsy for the lab to examine. A thin, electrified, low-voltage wire loop is used by the doctor to remove abnormal tissue during LEEP.
Treatment Of Cervical Dysplasia
The treatment of cervical dysplasia varies depending on your age, health, treatment preferences, and the severity of your cervical dysplasia. Procedures used to treat cervical dysplasia may affect future pregnancies. Ask your doctor about the treatments that are available to you if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the future.
If you have CIN 1 low-grade cervical dysplasia, you probably won't need treatment. The condition generally resolves on its own in the majority of these instances. Approximately one percent of cases progress to cervical cancer. Your doctor may opt for a conservative strategy that requires regular Pap smears to check for any changes in abnormal cells.
Treatment options for CIN 2 or 3 include:
- Cryosurgery, which freezes abnormal cells
- Laser therapy
- Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), which uses electricity to remove the affected tissue
- Cone biopsy, which involves removing a piece of the cervix in the shape of a cone from where the abnormal tissue is.
Regular Pap tests usually catch dysplasia early. Cervical dysplasia is usually treated, but it can come back. The dysplasia may get worse and become cancer if no treatment is given.
Prevention Of Cervical Dysplasia
Even though abstinence is the only effective way to prevent cervical dysplasia, you can lower your risk of getting HPV and cervical dysplasia by doing the following:
- Get vaccinated against HPV between the ages of 9 and 45
- Avoid smoking. Smoking raises your risk of developing cancer and dysplasia that are more severe.
- Wait until you are at least 18 to have sex.
- Sex in a safe way (condom).
- Maintain monogamy. This indicates that you only have one sexual partner at any given time.