Health Encyclopedia
Pap smear and treatment
Alternative Names
Treatment - abnormal Pap smearInformation
An abnormal pap smear does not always require special treatment, but it does require follow up. There are three broad categories of abnormal pap smear results:
- Precancerous -- usually reported as "atypical cells" or "Cervical dysplasia"
- Cancerous
If you receive a result stating that you have atypical cells in your cervix, your doctor is likely to treat you for an infection and have you follow up in 4 to 6 months for a repeat pap smear; or he may simply have you follow up in 4 to 6 months for the repeat pap smear.
If you receive a precancerous report, you will likely have a colposcopy and possibly a biopsy. Further treatment will be determined by your physician based on the results of these tests.
The goal for a pap smear is to find a change or abnormality in the cervix before it becomes cancerous.
Review Date:
12/1/2005
Reviewed By: Sharon Roseanne Thompson, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Reviewed By: Sharon Roseanne Thompson, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
