Cervical dysplasia

Definition

Cervical dysplasia is the abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix. Although this is not cancer, this is considered a pre-cancerous condition. Depending on the extent of changes, the condition is further categorized as:

• CIN I -- mild dysplasia (a few cells are abnormal)
• CIN II -- moderate to marked dysplasia
• CIN III -- severe dysplasia to carcinoma-in-situ (cancer confined to the surface layer of the cervix)

Alternative Names

Causes

Less than 5% of all Pap smear test results find cervical dysplasia. While the cause is unknown, a number of risk factors have been identified. Most cases occur in women aged 25 to 35.

Other risk factors include:

• Multiple sexual partners
• Starting sexual activity before age 18
• Having children before age 16
• DES exposure
• Having had sexually transmitted diseases, especially HPV (genital warts) or HIV infection

References

Wright TC Jr, Cox JT, Massad LS, Twiggs LB, Wilkinson EJ; ASCCP-Sponsored Consensus Conference. 2001 Consensus Guidelines for the management of women with cervical cytological abnormalities. JAMA. 2002 Apr 24;287(16):2120-9. Review.

Hoffman MS, Martino MA. 2001 consensus guidelines for the management of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Sep;191(3):1049