Cervical Dysplasia

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Overview

Cervical dysplasia is a term used to describe the appearance of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix, the lowest part of the uterus. These changes in cervical tissue are classified as mild, moderate, or severe. While dysplasia itself does not cause health problems, it is considered to be a precancerous condition. Left untreated, dysplasia sometimes progresses to an early form of cancer known as cervical carcinoma in situ, and eventually to invasive cervical cancer.




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There are so many incorrect statements in this article, it's hard to know where to begin.

"Cervical Dysplasia has no symptoms."-FALSE. Many times, dysplasia, usually moderate and severe can cause irregular bleeding and sometime painfull intercourse.

"Dysplasia, left untreated has a 40-50% chance of developing into invasive cancer." FALSE. Mild dysplasia, the most common, left untreated has a 13% chance of progressing..(Center for Disease Control).

Treatment for cervical dysplasia is determined (or should be) according to American Society of Cervical Cytology and Pathology.

"Many doctors prefer to treat all cases of dysplasia to eliminate future proression to cancer."-FALSE.
Many doctors prefer to treat dysplasia, usually without informing the patient that reccurance may still result. Many doctors choose to scare and intimidate patients into LEEP (electric wire loop excision or Cryo-therapy--freezing the cervix) evn though a patient may only have CIN 1 (LSIL) in order to run up the bill.

"Nicotine in cigarettes has been shown to be a risk factor..." This is an unfounded statement. Smoking has been linked to highter incidence of cervical dysplasia although the exact mechanism is not known. Nicotine, however, is not the most likely link, but rather the carcinogens in cigarette smoke.

Any woman who is histologically (biopsy confirmed) with cervical dysplasia should demand that their doctor provide all the facts before consenting to treatement. The risk factors associated with LEEP, combined with the chances of reccourance are usually not discussed. Family physicians are usually the LEAST informed, caveat emptor.

[contentuser]

Healthcommunities.com, Inc., (HC) Editors Note:
The above comment has been reviewed by HC and the following documentation was found:
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

"There are usually no symptoms." [of cervical dysplasia]

According to the Mayo Clinic:

"…early cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms. [Symptoms may develop] as the cancer progresses…"

According to the American Cancer Society:

"Women with early cervical cancers and pre-cancers usually have no symptoms. Symptoms often do not begin until the cancer becomes invasive and grows into nearby tissue."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

"Early on, cervical cancer usually does not cause signs and symptoms."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

"…about 10% [of mild dysplasia cases] progress to moderate or severe dysplasia within 2–4 years…Less than 50% of cases of severe dysplasia progress to invasive carcinoma…"