Colposcopy-directed biopsy
Alternative names:
biopsy - colposcopy-directed
Normal values:
A smooth, pink surface of the cervix is normal. A biopsy is only performed when abnormal tissues are seen or suspected because of abnormal pap smear results.
What abnormal results mean:
Abnormalities detected include cervical warts (human papilloma virus), precancerous tissue changes, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (tumor), or invasive carcinoma (cancer). The colposcopy may be used to keep track of precancerous abnormalities and look for recurrent abnormalities after treatment.
Abnormal findings during a colposcopy include abnormal patterns in the blood vessels, whitish patches on the cervix, and areas that are inflamed, eroded, or atrophic (tissue wasting away). Any of these abnormalities may indicate cancerous changes.
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
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