HAVE YOU BEEN TOLD THAT YOU HAVE AN ABNORMAL PAP SMEAR?

 

 

Dr Steven R. Goldstein MD, a leading obgyn in Manhattan strongly recommends women have a Pap Smear exam done annually to help detect the presence of any cervical cancer cells early and prevent the need for aggressive treatment. He feels strongly that the benefits of a pap smear – catching and preventing cervical cancer’s continued growth – deserves an annual test.

 

This routine, painless examination performed by Dr Goldstein checks the changes in the cells of the cervix and is the best test for identifying abnormal, cancerous and pre-cancerous cells. The number of cases of invasive cervical cancer in this country has fallen dramatically over the last sixty years mainly because of the pap smear. This painless test is completed during the patient’s routine pelvic exam.

 

If the pap smear results are abnormal, that doesn’t mean the patient should jump to conclusions and conclude that they have cancer. An abnormal pap smear doesn’t mean it will necessarily lead to cancer. It simply means there has been a change in the cervical cells. The reason for the change in cervical cells can be infection, inflammation, changes in the menstrual cycle, or in some cases pre-cancerous or cancerous cells.

 

To check for cancerous or pre-cancerous cells, there are a number of available tests to identify the abnormality after your case has been examined thoroughly.

 

Dr Goldstein, a gynecologist in Manhattan points to some of the tests that can be performed:

 

Colposcopy: A colposcope is used to see the vaginal and cervical cells in detail and any precancerous changes of, or cancerous tissue in the cervix. A colposcope is a special lighted microscope that magnifies the tissue lining the cervix and vagina. Any abnormalities that appear can be biopsied and sent to the lab to be studied under a microscope and tested for cancerous or pre-cancerous cells.

 

Endocervical curettage: A small spoon-shaped tool (curette) collects a sample of cells from the endocervical canal. This procedure is done in an outpatient setting or a hospital. The patient is given medicine not to feel pain, and the medical provider gently scrapes a layer of tissue from the cervical canal and sent to the lab to test for any problems such as cancerous or precancerous cells in the cervix.

 

If this additional testing determines that treatment of the abnormal cells is needed, Dr Goldstein may recommend one of the following options:

 

Cryotherapy: Destroys abnormal tissue through freezing. A cold chemical is applied to the area with abnormal cells in the cervix to freeze them and then remove them.

Laser therapy: Destroys or removes abnormal cells with the use of a narrow beam of intense light

Conization: A cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed with a knife, laser or LEEP technique.

If you have been told you have an abnormal pap smear, don’t jump to conclusions. As stated earlier, an abnormal pap smear doesn’t automatically mean you have cancer or pre cancer of the cervix. All it means is that there is a change in cervical cells. This  can be due to inflammation, changes in the menstrual cycle, or infection as well.

 

If you are in the New York City area, a consultation with Dr Steven R. Goldstein, an  obgyn in Manhattan may be in order.