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Pap Test
The pap-smear test (Papanicolaou smear test) allows us to detect whether we will need to heal abnormal cells in the cervix of the uterus which, in some cases, may develop into cervical cancer.
The immense value of this test for women is that it detects viruses, especially the human papilloma virus (HPV), and precancerous lesions that are due to these viruses.
Abnormal results
When a Pap Test presents “changes”, it is possible that you may worry. However, many abnormal results are related to organisms, such as a yeast infection, Trichomoniasis and others, are due to hormonal causes such as contraceptive pills or menopause, or due to natural causes such as cervical injury during parturition, or because of an abrasion during sexual intercourse. A repetition of the test or colposcopy may be required.
A typical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS)
If your results read atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), this suggests that a type of abnormal cells was found in your Pap smear, which may be due to all the aforementioned causes, so do not worry. I will ask you that we repeat the test in 3–6 months or that I perform a colposcopy.
Undetermined lesion
If the test result reads ASCH, this suggests that a precancerous lesion has been detected without the analyst being able to determine its degree. In this case, screening with an HPV test will follow and colposcopy in combination with a biopsy. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) may have occurred. CIN-I, CIN-II and CIN-III are a staging of the cell alterations that occur, which are the cause of several HPV viruses when they remain in the cervix without being treated. Thus, a woman who does not undergo regular screenings, while carrying the HPV virus, it is possibly that she may develop cervical cancer after 3–5 years or more. It must be understood that the procedure of the HPV infection turning into cancer (which occurs solely with the oncogenic types of the virus), is slow and easy to manage in all its precancerous stages.
What do we do with atypical results?
The main cause of atypical results is infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are many types of this virus. Some are responsible for cervical, vaginal or vulvar cancer. Other types cause condylomata acuminata (acute genital warts).
When Pap smear results are atypical, feel certain that, even if therapy is required, you are safe. What you owe to yourself is to take preventative measures to increase your organism’s natural resistance. Quitting smoking, a healthy diet, vitamins and positive thinking are always beneficial.
The second part concerns the information we have acquired relating to the HPV subtype (via DNA-HPV testing, colposcopy and biopsy, detection of L1, E6 and E7 proteins. And the third part, depending on the results, concerns the following:
a.) Monitoring
b.) Removal solely of the superficial layer of the cervix,
c.) removal of a part the cervix that has been affected
Therapy methods may vary depending on the case. Thus, destroying part of the cervix may be done via cryotherapy, Laser, or LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure). Removal of part of the cervix is called coniform excision and may be performed surgically or usually nowadays via LEEP or Laser
Medical terminology
Vulva
A woman’s outer genitalia.
Biopsy
The removal for diagnostic study of a piece of tissue
Dysplasia
Abnormal growth or development of cells, tissue, bone, or an organ.όχι καρκινικών κυττάρων.
Colposcopy
Colposcopy is a way for your doctor to use a special magnifying device to look at your vulva, vagina camera.gif, and cervix camera.gif. If a problem is seen during colposcopy, a small sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken from the cervix or from inside the opening of the cervix (endocervical canal). The sample is looked at under a microscope.
Laser
Use of a type of light rays to destroy the tissue we want, or can be used for surgical operations in order to cut to the guided depth.
Leep
Use of a wire bronchus and electrical current allows us to remove part of the cervix that we have defined.
Pap Test
Procedure in which a physician scrapes cells from the cervix or vagina to check for cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, or abnormal changes that could lead to cancer. It often is called a “Pap smear.”
Cervix
The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The uterus, a hollow, pear-shaped organ, is located in a woman’s lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.
