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Understanding Cervical Changes: A Health Guide for Women
    Posted: 01/28/2005



Introduction






What Is the Cervix?






What Should I Know About HPV Infection?






Finding Abnormal Cells






What Do My Pap Test Results Mean?






Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider






Finding the Support You Need






Table 1






Table 2






Table 3






Table 4






Resources



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Table 3: What Does It Mean: Results From Your Biopsy or Endocervical Curettage

Possible Result What Your Health Care Provider May Recommend
Tissue appears normal If cervical tissue appears normal, your health care provider may not need to do any further testing or treatment right away, but may recommend a repeat Pap test or HPV test in 6-12 months.
Tissue shows only mild changes (low-grade)

Biopsy may have removed all abnormal tissue.

You may or may not need more treatment--even if some abnormal tissue remains.

Your health care provider may not need to do any further testing or treatment right away, but may recommend a repeat Pap test or HPV test in 6-12 months.

Results are unclear Your doctor may do more tests, such as conization.
Severe (high-grade) changes are found

You will need treatment to remove more tissue.

Your doctor may perform LEEP, cryotherapy, laser therapy, or conization.

Invasive cancer cells are found

Your doctor will do more tests to find out the stage (extent) of the cancer. Your treatment will depend on:

  • The stage of your cancer
  • Your age
  • Whether you may want to become pregnant
  • Your general health
  • Other factors

To learn about more treatment options, see the National Cancer Institute booklet, "What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Cervix," or visit www.cancer.gov and search for "cervical cancer."

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