Cervical Dysplasia Treatments ~ How is Cervical Dysplasia / HPV treated?
There is no direct treatment for HPV infection. However, dysplasias and warts can be removed. There are several ways to do this:
• Burning them with an electric needle (electrocautery) or a laser
• Freezing them with liquid nitrogen
• Cutting them out
• Treating them with chemicals.
NOTE: Certain treatments, such as chemical removal, should not be used by pregnant women.
Other, less common treatments for warts include the drugs that are in a cream form or are injected. There are new drugs that have been approved for treatment of genital warts, some originally developed to fight other viruses, might also help fight HPV.
HPV infection can last for a long time, especially in people who have autoimmune disorders. Dysplasia and warts can return. They should be treated as soon as they are found to reduce the chances of the problem spreading or returning.
Cervical Dysplasia Treatments ~ Research
June 2002
Association of cervical cryotherapy with inadequate follow-up colposcopy.
Sparks RA, Scheid D, Loemker V, Stader E, Reilly K, Hamm R, McCarthy L.
Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 900 NE 10th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. rhonda-sparks@ouhsc.edu
Objectives: We studied the anatomic changes that occur in the ectocervix after cryotherapy and the role these changes play in the adequacy of follow-up colposcopic examination.
Study Design: We retrospectively reviewed patients' charts.
Population: Between January 1, 1991, and December 1, 1995, 268 women underwent 2 colposcopic examinations in 7 state-run public health clinics.
Outcomes Measured: The likelihood that a follow-up colposcopic examination would be inadequate.
Results: Of the 268 women who underwent 2 colposcopic examinations during the study period, 83 had cryotherapy, 24 had loop excision of the ectocervical portion or cervical conization, and 96 had no procedure. Sixty-five were excluded because of missing data. Subjects were similar with respect to age, whether endocervical curettage was performed, cervical dysplasia, presence of human papilloma virus, and whether glandular involvement was noted. Patients who had cryotherapy had an increased likelihood of inadequate follow-up colposcopic examination compared with women who had no procedure (adjusted odds ratio = 18.7, 95% confidence interval = 7.0-49.8).
Conclusions: Undergoing cryotherapy of the uterine cervix increases the risk that a follow-up colposcopic examination will be inadequate. Given the reported high rates of regression of mild and moderate cervical dysplasia and the risks posed by possibly unnecessary procedures performed after inadequate colposcopic examination, a trend toward less aggressive therapy and watchful waiting may be appropriate but should be investigated in a controlled clinical trial.
Source: PubMed
