If you have a Pap smear that indicates abnormal cellular growth -- a potential sign of cervical cancer -- you may need a colposcopy to examine your cervix and biopsy tissues. The team at Corpus Christi Women's Clinic has extensive experience performing colposcopies. Whether you need to schedule a cervical cancer screening or a colposcopy, call the office in Corpus Christi, Texas, or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.
A colposcopy is an examination of your cervix using a colposcope. The colposcope, which resembles binoculars on a stand, provides a magnified view of tissues so your provider can identify inflammation and precancerous or cancerous changes.
Your provider at Corpus Christi Women's Clinic places the colposcope just outside your vagina. After swabbing your cervix with a solution that highlights abnormal cells, they visually examine the tissues. During a colposcopy, your provider can also perform a biopsy or remove abnormal tissues.
The team at Corpus Christi Women's Clinic typically performs a colposcopy when you have an abnormal Pap smear. You may also need one if you have abnormal bleeding, an inflamed cervix.
During a Pap smear, your provider removes a small amount of cervical tissue and sends it to a lab where it’s evaluated for abnormal cell growth. When abnormal cells are detected, they’re graded based on their severity. The results of an abnormal Pap smear include:
Depending on the results of your Pap smear, the team at Corpus Christi Women's Clinic may recommend waiting a few months before having a repeat Pap smear or having a colposcopy to determine the cause of your abnormal test results.
Your provider removes cervical abnormalities using one of the following methods.
During a LEEP procedure, your provider removes thin layers of your cervix using a medical instrument made from a thin wire loop that carries a mild electric current. They may use the same tool to take a biopsy. This procedure can be done in the office.
Also called a cone biopsy, this procedure removes more cervical tissue to ensure all cancer cells are removed.
Two ablative procedures that eliminate precancerous and cancerous tissues include cryotherapy, which freezes the cells, and laser therapy, which destroys cells with heat.
If you need to schedule a Pap smear or colposcopy, call Corpus Christi Women's Clinic or schedule an appointment online.