If the abnormal cervical cell changes are mild, your doctor may simply choose to closely monitor them since they could go away on their own. If they are more severe, you may take comfort in knowing that removing the abnormal cells can almost always prevent cervical cancer from developing in the future.
Common methods of treatment
There are several methods commonly used to treat abnormal cervical cells:
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Cryosurgery—a freezing process that destroys abnormal cervical cells
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Electrosurgery (also called LEEP, or loop electrosurgical excision procedure)—this is the removal of abnormal cervical cells using a hot wire loop
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Laser therapy—a laser beam is used to burn off abnormal cervical cells
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Conization (also called cone biopsy)—a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from the cervix with a surgical or laser knife
If you have any of these treatments, your doctor may still want to follow up with another exam to make sure that the abnormal cells have not come back. If they do reappear, the treatment can be repeated.
If you are diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells, talk with your doctor about the different options available to you.
