Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is a technique used in the
treatment of mild to moderate precancerous changes
(dysplasia) of the uterine cervix (cervical dysplasia). The cervix is the
base of the womb (uterus) that leads out to the birth
canal (vagina). LEEP can sometimes also be used to treat severe dysplasia or
cancers that have not invaded into the deeper tissues of the cervix (known as
carcinoma in situ).
With the LEEP technique, a low voltage electric current is used to cut away
the abnormal tissues. Unlike techniques that destroy the abnormal tissue (such
as laser or freezing), the abnormal tissue is retained after LEEP, allowing for
microscopic examination by a pathologist.
LEEP generally does not have significant risks or side effects, but mild
pain, cramping, and vaginal bleeding can occur. LEEP is also sometimes referred
to as large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).
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