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Cervical Dysplasia

Cervical Dysplasia Overview

Cervical dysplasia refers to the presence of precancerous changes of the cells that make up the inner lining of the cervix, the opening to the womb (uterus). These changes are detected by microscopic analysis of cell samples taken from the cervix during a pelvic exam (such as from a Pap smear).

Squamous intraepithelial lesion is the pathology term used to refer to cervical dysplasia observed in smears of cells taken from the cervix. Squamous refers to the type of cells lining the cervix; intraepithelial refers to the fact that these cells are present in the lining tissue of the cervix.

When cervical dysplasia is seen in a biopsy of tissue rather than a cell smear, it is referred to as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Cervical Dysplasia Causes

Cervical dysplasia is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common infection that is transmitted through sexual contact. In fact, over 75% of sexually active women are thought to become infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Most new HPV infections occur in young (ages 15-25) women. Most HPV infections do not produce any symptoms and resolve spontaneously.

Some HPV infections persist over time rather than resolve, although the reason why this happens is not clear. Persistent HPV infection may lead to the development of genital warts, precancerous changes (cervical dysplasia) of the uterine cervix, as well as cervical cancer. Since not all women who have HPV infection develop cancer, additional factors must also be important in the cause of cervical dysplasia and cancer.

Certain HPV types typically cause genital warts or mild dysplasia ("low-risk" types; HPV-6, HPV-11), while other types (known as "high-risk" HPV types) are more strongly associated with severe dysplasia and cervical cancer (HPV-16, HPV-18).

Since HPV infections are transmitted primarily by sexual contact, the risk of infection increases with the number of sexual partners as person has. Cigarette smoking and suppression of the immune system (such as with HIV infection) are also known to increase the risk for HPV-induced dysplasia and cancer.



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Cervical Dysplasia

Cervical Cancer »

Cervical Cancer Overview

The uterine cervix is the lowest portion of a woman's uterus (womb). Most of the uterus lies in the pelvis, but part of the cervix is located in the vagina, where it connects the uterus with the vagina.

Cancer of the cervix occurs when the cells of the cervix change in a way that leads to abnormal growth and invasion of other tissues or organs of the body.

Like all cancers, cancer of the cervix is much more likely to be cured if it is detected early and treated immediately.

  • One of the key features of cervical cancer is its slow progression from normal cervical tissue, to precancerous (or dysplastic) changes in the tissue, to invasive cancer.

  • The slow progression through numerous precancerous changes is very important because it provides opportunities for prevention and early detection and treatment.

  • These opportunities have caused the decline of cervical cancer over the ...


Read the Cervical Cancer article »



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