Here are a few things to know about this important examination before your appointment. A colposcopy is used to find cancerous cells or abnormal cells that can become cancerous in the cervix, vagina, or vulva. A special instrument called a colposcope gives your doctor a lighted, highly magnified view of the tissues that make up your cervix, vagina, and vulva.
The colposcope is placed close to the body, but it does not enter the body. A pap test , also called a pap smear, involves gathering a sample of cells from your cervix and testing them for early changes that can lead to cervical cancer. If your pap test showed some abnormal cells and you tested positive for HPV , a colposcopy can help confirm and diagnose potential problems. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a virus that may raise your risk for certain types of cancer, including cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
Your doctor may also recommend a colposcopy if you have symptoms or signs of cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer. A colposcopy can be done in the office of your primary care doctor or your gynecologist. An instrument called a speculum will be inserted inside your vagina to open it up and give your doctor a clearer view of your cervix. Your cervix, vagina, and vulva will be lightly wiped with a vinegar or iodine solution that helps your doctor better see abnormal areas. The colposcope is positioned between your legs as close to your vagina as possible, but it never goes inside your body.
During the colposcopy, your doctor may perform a biopsy on areas that look unhealthy. If treatment is needed, the aim is to remove the abnormal cervical cells while preserving as much normal tissue as possible.
The transformation zone is the area of tissue just at the entrance of the birth canal. LLETZ involves using a heated wire loop to remove the abnormal cells, and in the majority of cases is carried out using a local anaesthetic. The procedure lasts a few minutes and can be carried out during a colposcopy.
You should be invited for a follow-up cervical screening test to check that the treatment has been successful. If you're referred for a colposcopy after an abnormal cervical screening test, you shouldn't assume you have cervical cancer. Less than 1 in 1, women referred for a colposcopy are found to have cervical cancer that requires immediate treatment. Cervical cancer screening is successful because cell changes can occur many years before cancer can develop.
Identifying and treating these cell changes at an early stage can prevent cancer from ever developing. It identifies abnormal cells on the cervix, which in some cases may develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. Regular cervical screening helps to ensure that any cell changes are picked up early. If necessary, any abnormal cells can be removed to prevent cervical cancer developing. About 1 in 20 tests reveal mild cervical cell changes, most of which don't need treatment because they return to normal by themselves.
Approximately 1 in cervical screening tests indicate moderate cell changes, and 1 in indicate severe cell changes. If you have moderate or severe cell changes, you'll be referred for a colposcopy and you may need treatment. However, less than 1 in 1, women referred for a colposcopy are found to have invasive cervical cancer that requires immediate treatment.
Read more about cervical screening tests. Although abnormal cervical screening results rarely indicate cancer, it's important to investigate all moderate and severe abnormal cell changes, so that any problems can be treated as soon as possible. You may also be referred for a colposcopy as a precaution if the laboratory was unable to get a result from your screening test sample. A colposcopy allows the cervix and the tissue on its surface to be examined more closely.
This gives a clearer idea of exactly where the abnormal cell changes are located and how advanced they are. A colposcopy isn't a treatment for abnormal cells, it's simply a way of examining cell changes in more detail. However, treatment can be carried out during a colposcopy if abnormal cells are detected.
A colposcopy is a safe and quick procedure. However, some women find it uncomfortable and a few experience pain. Tell the doctor or nurse colposcopist if you find the procedure painful, as they will try to make you more comfortable.
You'll be referred for a colposcopy if your cervical screening test reveals cervical cell changes, or symptoms such as unexplained pelvic pain or vaginal bleeding need to be investigated. It will usually be carried out in the outpatients department of your local hospital. If you would prefer a female doctor or nurse to carry out your colposcopy, you can request this by phoning the clinic beforehand.
You can also bring a friend, partner or family member to help you feel more at ease. Phone the clinic if your period is due on the day of your appointment. In some cases, such as if it's your first colposcopy, you may still be able to attend your appointment. However, in other circumstances, such as if it's a follow-up appointment, you may need to reschedule the appointment.
You can have a colposcopy if you're pregnant. Don't have sex or use vaginal medications, lubricants, creams or tampons for at least 24 hours before your appointment. This will make examining your cervix easier. Take a panty liner to your appointment, as a small amount of discharge can come out of your vagina after the procedure. If a small cell sample a biopsy is taken, there may also be some bleeding. You'll be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on a special couch with your knees bent.
Your legs can rest on padded supports. If you prefer, you could wear a loose skirt that can be lifted up without having to take it off. A device called a speculum will be gently inserted into your vagina to hold it open and allow the colposcopist to take a closer look at your cervix — in the same way your cervical screening was done.
A colposcope is used to examine the cells. It looks similar to a pair of binoculars. The colposcope doesn't touch you — it stays about 30cm 12 inches outside your vagina and allows the colposcopist to see the cells on your cervix on a screen.
In some cases, photos may be taken for your medical records. Your colposcopist may dab different liquids onto your cervix. These stain abnormal cells a different colour, so they can be seen more clearly. You may feel a mild tingling or burning sensation when the liquid is applied to your cervix. If abnormal cells are found, a small sample of tissue a few millimetres across may be taken from your cervix a biopsy.
This shouldn't be painful, although you may feel a slight pinch or stinging sensation. If necessary, you may be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area. The tissue sample will then be sent to a laboratory for testing.
A colposcopy is a quick and safe procedure. A cone biopsy is usually done under general anaesthetic where you're asleep and you may need to stay in hospital overnight.
Page last reviewed: 30 December Next review due: 30 December When a colposcopy may be needed You may be referred for a colposcopy within a few weeks of cervical screening if: some of the cells in your screening sample are abnormal the nurse or doctor who carried out the screening test thought your cervix did not look as healthy as it should it was not possible to give you a clear result after several screening tests A colposcopy can also be used to find out the cause of problems such as unusual vaginal bleeding for example, bleeding after sex.
What happens during a colposcopy A colposcopy is usually carried out in a hospital clinic. During the procedure: you undress from the waist down a loose skirt may not need to be removed and lie down in a chair with padded supports for your legs a device called a speculum is inserted into your vagina and gently opened a microscope with a light is used to look at your cervix — this does not touch or enter your body liquids are applied to your cervix to highlight any abnormal areas a small sample of tissue a biopsy may be removed for closer examination in a laboratory — this may be a bit uncomfortable If it's obvious that you have abnormal cells in your cervix, you may have treatment to remove the cells immediately.
Results of a colposcopy It's often possible to tell you right away if there are any abnormal cells in your cervix. Read more about colposcopy results. Treatments to remove abnormal cells Treatment to remove abnormal cells is recommended if there's a moderate or high chance of the cells becoming cancerous if left untreated. To collect the tissue, your doctor uses a sharp biopsy instrument to remove a small piece of tissue.
If there are multiple suspicious areas, your doctor may take multiple biopsy samples. If your doctor didn't take a biopsy sample during your colposcopy, you won't have any restrictions on your activity once your exam is complete.
You may experience some spotting or very light bleeding from your vagina in the next day or two. Use a pad to catch any blood or discharge.
Avoid tampons, douching and vaginal intercourse for a week after your biopsy, or for as long as your doctor instructs you to. Before you leave your colposcopy appointment, ask your doctor when you can expect the results.
Also ask for a phone number you may call in the event you don't hear back from your doctor within a specified time. The results of your colposcopy will determine whether you'll need any further testing and treatment.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Colposcopy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Colposcopy A trained specialist colposcopist positions the colposcope to examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for the presence of suspicious areas of tissue that might indicate cancer.
Female reproductive system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Female reproductive system The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina vaginal canal make up the female reproductive system.
0コメント