Colposcopy Examination & Treatment
Colposcopy is assessment of the lower genital tract by a gynaecologist following an abnormal CST, symptoms of abnormal bleeding, vulval and vaginal lesions.
Colposcopy is vaginal examination with a magnification machine, called a colposcope. An external camera is attached to the colposcope and the image is projected onto a screen for the patient to see. The camera and colposcope has no contact with the patient and is at least 50cm away.
CST (cervical screening test) is obtained by your GP or nurse which is then checked for HPV DNA and screened for abnormal cells. Low grade cells are referred to as LSIL and high grade cells as HSIL.
Treatment can be by LLETZ (electrical hot wire loop) and/or CO2 laser excision/ablation.
CIN
There are 3 stages of CIN (CIN 1, 2, 3) which is also called pre-cancer or dysplasia. Treatment by LLETZ and laser results in almost complete resolution of the abnormal area.
HPV and HPV Warts
There are numerous species of HPV viruses that infect the lower female genital tract and external male genitalia. The low risk HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for genital warts whilst the high risk HPV types cause lower genital tract pre cancer, which can lead to cancer if not treated. Pre-cancer is abbreviated as VIN for vulva, VAIN for vagina and CIN for cervix.
The Gardasil vaccination contains HPV 16 and 18 which account for 60% of the high risk oncogenic HPV viruses, but as the other species are not included in the vaccine, there is still the opportunity for high risk HPV infections to occur and cause pre-cancer.
Once a pre-cancer abnormality has been treated, it is important to continue surveillance either by smears or colposcopy.
Chronic Irritation
There are many causes of chronic irritation affecting the external genitalia, ranging from infection to pre cancer VIN.
Colposcopy is vaginal examination with a magnification machine, called a colposcope. An external camera is attached to the colposcope and the image is projected onto a screen for the patient to see. The camera and colposcope has no contact with the patient and is at least 50cm away.
CST (cervical screening test) is obtained by your GP or nurse which is then checked for HPV DNA and screened for abnormal cells. Low grade cells are referred to as LSIL and high grade cells as HSIL.
Treatment can be by LLETZ (electrical hot wire loop) and/or CO2 laser excision/ablation.
CIN
There are 3 stages of CIN (CIN 1, 2, 3) which is also called pre-cancer or dysplasia. Treatment by LLETZ and laser results in almost complete resolution of the abnormal area.
HPV and HPV Warts
There are numerous species of HPV viruses that infect the lower female genital tract and external male genitalia. The low risk HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for genital warts whilst the high risk HPV types cause lower genital tract pre cancer, which can lead to cancer if not treated. Pre-cancer is abbreviated as VIN for vulva, VAIN for vagina and CIN for cervix.
The Gardasil vaccination contains HPV 16 and 18 which account for 60% of the high risk oncogenic HPV viruses, but as the other species are not included in the vaccine, there is still the opportunity for high risk HPV infections to occur and cause pre-cancer.
Once a pre-cancer abnormality has been treated, it is important to continue surveillance either by smears or colposcopy.
Chronic Irritation
There are many causes of chronic irritation affecting the external genitalia, ranging from infection to pre cancer VIN.
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