An abnormal Pap smear test result simply means that abnormal cells have been found in a sample taken from your cervix. Usually these cells are mild and do not mean that you have cancer. In fact, most patients with abnormal Pap smear tests may not need treatment. However, some of them require serious treatment, and the purpose of the test is to identify these women and provide the necessary follow-up and treatment.
What happens afterwards?
Your Pap smear test may report various abnormal findings.
ASC US: It’s not normal, but it’s certainly not abnormal.
What to do
Repeat smear after 6 months
HPV test can be done.
Colposcopy
ASC – H: Not completely abnormal, but there are suspicious findings consistent with a high severity abnormality.
What to do
Colposcopy
LSIL: There are mild but definitely abnormal findings.
What to do
4- Repeat smear test after 6 months
Colposcopy
HSIL: moderate or severe and there are definite abnormal findings
What to do
Colposcopy
What is colposcopy
Colposcopy is a detailed examination of the cervix using a special microscope. It is no different from an examination in that it is performed without pain or harm to the patient.
What is a biopsy
If your doctor detects an abnormal area in the cervix during colposcopy, he or she will take a small sample from the area. This biopsy sample is examined under a microscope by a specialist in the pathology laboratory. The result of this examination will help your doctor to diagnose and treat you.
What to do after a biopsy
Abnormalities found on biopsy are called Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). CIN is divided into 3 types and the degree of abnormality increases from CIN 1 to CIN 3.
Normal: No abnormalities were found.
What to do
Continue to have a smear test once a year.
CIN1: Mild abnormality
What to do
It usually regresses and disappears spontaneously in 4 to 6 months, but a new smear or colposcopy and biopsy may be necessary.
CIN 2 or 3: Moderate or severe abnormality
What to do
Treatment is mandatory.
What are the treatment methods
The main aim of the treatment is to remove abnormal cervical cells before they turn into cancer. This is usually done on a normal examination table and does not require hospitalization.
There are different treatment methods with indistinguishable success rates;
Freezing: the abnormal area is destroyed by freezing,
Laser treatment; the abnormal area is vaporized by burning with a laser,
LEEP; the abnormal area is removed with the help of a wire passing electrical energy,
Conization; the abnormal area is removed by cone-shaped cutting.
What happens after treatment
Treatment of cervical diseases is usually very successful and very few patients normally need treatment again. For this reason, you should continue your check-ups after treatment until your doctor tells you that it is no longer necessary. Treatment usually does not affect your sex life or your ability to have a baby.