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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