What is cell changes
The pap smear test you have had performed on the cervix shows signs of suspected cell changes. Such cell changes are not cancer, and basically all women who are diagnosed with cell changes are fully cured. Cell changes occur because of an infection with thr virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Both the viral infection and the cell changes are often without symptoms. We know that over a period of time untreated cell changes can develop into cervical cancer, and that is why we recommend further examinations and possible treatments.
Therefore, we offer you an examination of the cervix (colposcopy) combined with small cell samples (biopsies) and a little scraping (cervixbrasio) from the cervix. A week later we have the results of the biopsies and we will then know which stage of cell changes we are dealing with and whether there is cause for a treatment. Cell changes or cellular adaptions, as they are called, are categorized by severeness which is discovered with miscroscopical examination. They can be categorized as light, moderate, and heavy changes and carcinoma in situ.
Treatment
In the case of light changes, it will be sufficient with a follow-up six months after. In the case of more severe cell changes we recommend a treatment in the form of a cone biopsy. In most cases the procedure can be performed in the clinic as an outpatient with local anesthesia. During the procedure a cone-shaped wedge of tissue containing the cell changes is removed from the cervix using an electrical sling (loop). The procedure itself takes around 15 minutes, but afterwards you will need to wait half an hour to make sure that there are no delayed hemorrhaging. Normally you won't experience any pains, but in the case you do you can buy OTC drugs at the clinic, e.g. Panodil.
After the procedure you need to stay calm for a couple of days and avoid any running and biking. If your job is manual or hard work we recommend you to take a sick leave for three to four days. You will experience tiny bleedings and some discharge two to three weeks after the procedure and during this period you should avoid intercourse, swimming pools and tub baths. After three to five weeks the cervix should have healed and a new mucous membrane will cover the area where the cone-shaped wedge was removed. The procedure will have no effect on your sexual life nor on your possibilities of getting pregnant and completing a pregnancy.
Control
The microscopical examination will describe the severeness of the cell changes and whether it has been removed from healthy tissue. Because the cone is removed with electrical surgery it can often be difficult to assess the borders of the procedure. Even if the cell changes reach the borders of the incision further treatment is rarely necessary. The follow-up examinations are not affected irregardless of whether or not the cell changes reached the border of the wedge. The first two follow-ups will take place around six months and twelve months after the procedure. After that you can have the follow-ups with your own physician.
Read more: The Danish Cancer Society's pamphlet: Cell changes (in Danish)
