Monday, September 21, 2009

Severe Dysplasia

My gynecologist just called to tell me my biopsy came back showing I have severe dysplasia. These are precancerous 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. Left untreated, dysplasia sometimes progresses to an early form of cancer known as cervical carcinoma in situ, and eventually to invasive cervical cancer. Moderate and severe dysplasia are less likely to self-resolve and have a higher rate of progression to cancer. The greater the abnormality, the higher the risk for developing cervical cancer, so I will need to go in for a cone biopsy.

A cone biopsy is an extensive form of a cervical biopsy. It is called a cone biopsy because a cone-shaped wedge of tissue is removed from the cervix and examined under a microscope. A cone biopsy removes abnormal tissue that is high in the cervical canal. A small amount of normal tissue around the cone-shaped wedge of abnormal tissue is also removed so that a margin free of abnormal cells is left in the cervix. This is done as an outpatient surgery. I have to call to get it scheduled, but will update when I have that information.

1 comment:

  1. Thinking of you ...

    Thanks for that great post ... I've never heard of a cone biopsy.

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