Colposcopy And Cervical Biopsy: What To Think About

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What To Think About

• Colposcopy is not usually used as a screening test for women at high risk for cervical cancer. A Pap test is done for that purpose.
• Sometimes only abnormal cervical biopsy results are reported back to the woman. Tell your doctor if you want to be informed of normal biopsy results.
• If a colposcopy and cervical biopsy are normal, it is not likely that you have cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer.
• Another biopsy may be needed if a Pap test, colposcopy, and cervical biopsy show different results. In some cases, a larger biopsy area, called a cone biopsy, is removed. Special tools, such as laser or a heated loop, can be used to remove a cone-shaped wedge of normal and abnormal tissue from the cervix. A cone biopsy may treat the problem because all of the abnormal tissue is removed. Your doctor will give you more instructions if a cone biopsy is needed.
• Women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a higher chance of developing cervical cancer. A colposcopy is recommended for all women with HIV and an abnormal Pap test.

Last updated:	December 13, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Tracy Landauer