Can HPV be treated with colposcopy?
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a virus that may raise your risk for certain types of cancer, including cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Your doctor may also recommend a colposcopy if you have symptoms or signs of cervical, vaginal, or vulvar cancer.
Does a cervical biopsy test for HPV?
A cervical biopsy is usually done after an abnormality has been found during a routine pelvic exam or Pap smear. Abnormalities can include the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), or cells that are precancerous.
Can HPV come back after colposcopy?
If cell changes come back, they are usually found after your follow-up appointment. If your cervical screening (smear test) done during this appointment finds high-risk HPV, you will usually have further tests at colposcopy again.
Do I need a colposcopy every year if I have HPV?
If you also have the HPV virus, you should then have a colposcopy. If you’re HPV negative, you have a choice: a colposcopy or another Pap in 12 months. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) means the cells look very different from normal cells and are probably precancerous.
How long after colposcopy will I get results?
Colposcopy results The colposcopist will usually be able to tell straight away if there are abnormal cells in your cervix. Biopsy results usually take about 4 weeks and a copy will be sent to both you and your GP in the post. About 4 out of 10 women who have a colposcopy have a normal result.
Should I be worried if I tested positive for HPV?
Positive HPV test. It doesn’t mean that you have cervical cancer now, but it’s a warning sign that cervical cancer could develop in the future. Your doctor will probably recommend a follow-up test in a year to see if the infection has cleared or to check for signs of cervical cancer.
What’s the next step after testing positive for HPV?
If you got a positive HPV test and your Pap test was abnormal, your doctor will probably follow up with a colposcopy. Try to see a physician who specializes in this procedure. During a colposcopy, your doctor will look more closely at the cervix, vagina or vulva with a special microscope called a colposcope.
Should I worry if I test positive for HPV?
A positive test result doesn’t mean a cancer diagnosis is inevitable—it simply means you’re at a higher risk. We take positive HPV results and cellular abnormalities very seriously and conduct extensive testing and regular monitoring to make sure the virus doesn’t result in more serious issues.