Does an Abnormal Pap Smear Mean I Have Cancer?

Each year, approximately 3 million Pap smears in the United States produce abnormal results. Fortunately, less than 1% involve cervical cancer.

Dedicated OB/GYN Dr. Dean Hildahl and the compassionate team at North Naples Gynecology and Obstetrics in Naples, Florida, perform Pap smears and other diagnostic tests to ensure our patients remain in tip-top shape.

Should you receive an abnormal result, the doctor helps you learn why.

Abnormal Pap smears

During your pelvic exam, Dr. Hildahl may perform a Pap smear by collecting cells from your cervix. Abnormal findings generally fall into three categories:

Irritated or irregular

These abnormal cells may result from swelling due to infection or hyperkeratosis, the presence of dry skin cells at the cervix.

Precancerous

Cells may appear abnormal before they become malignant. That warrants further investigation.

Cancerous

Any cells that reveal cancer should be evaluated further and removed.

Dr. Hildahl helps you decide the best course of action.

Next steps

Should your Pap smear result return abnormal, we offer several options. One of the best, a DySIS colposcopy exam, identifies inflammation or precancerous changes to your cells.

A state-of-the-art DySIS colposcopy identifies areas of concern more accurately than previous technology. During the procedure, Dr. Hildahl:

• Places a speculum in your vagina to view the cervix
• Employs a colposcope, which remains outside your body, to magnify the area
• Applies an acetic acid solution that turns abnormal cells white for easier identification

The doctor may biopsy tissue to submit to a lab to determine whether it’s irregular, precancerous, or cancerous.

Signs of cervical cancer

Regular Pap smears remain the best way to identify abnormal cells before they develop. The longer you wait, the harder it is to cure any cancer. 

As cervical cancer grows, you may notice signs, including:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods or following menopause
• Bloody discharge or urine
• Painful sex
• Discomfort in the pelvic region
• Leg swelling

Women with precancerous cells and early cervical cancers often show no symptoms. The optimal course of action for precancerous cells is their removal. 

Types of cervical cancer

The two main types of cervical cancers are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Adenocarcinomas

The endocervix lies inside the cervix lining along the canal from the vagina to uterus. Adenocarcinomas represent cancerous cells from this glandular region.

Squamous cell carcinoma

These cancerous cells lie along the outer part of the cervix, known as the exocervix. They account for the majority of cervical cancers. 

Cervical cancer may involve one or both of these areas.

How to treat abnormal cells

If your abnormal cells are low-grade, there’s minimal chance of developing cervical cancer. Dr. Hildahl recommends retesting in a year.

Should your cells reveal high-grade levels of abnormality, we can remove them during a DySIS colposcopy to prevent the possibility of them becoming cancerous. Options include:

Cold coagulation

Despite the name, used to distinguish this procedure from cryotherapy, the doctor uses a hot probe to burn away abnormal cells.

Cryotherapy

We use a cold probe to freeze off abnormal cells.

Laser therapy

A laser beam removes the abnormal area during this brief, outpatient procedure.

Other common procedures to remove abnormal tissue include the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), an in-office procedure involving electrical current, and cold knife conization, which a surgeon performs under general anesthesia.

To discuss your options or book your next gynecological exam or Pap smear, schedule a consultation by phone or online with Dr. Hildahl today. He and our caring team are with you every step of the way.