Cervical dysplasia

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Cervical dysplasia - series	Cervical neoplasia	Female reproductive anatomy	Uterus
woman looking at reflection

Cervical dysplasia is the abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix. Although this is not cancer, this is considered a pre-cancerous condition. Depending on the extent of changes, the condition is further categorized as:

• CIN I -- mild dysplasia (a few cells are abnormal)
• CIN II -- moderate to marked dysplasia
• CIN III -- severe dysplasia to carcinoma-in-situ (cancer confined to the surface layer of the cervix)

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); Precancerous changes of the cervix

Less than 5% of all Pap smear test results find cervical dysplasia. While the cause is unknown, a number of risk factors have been identified. Most cases occur in women aged 25 to 35.

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Other risk factors include:

• Multiple sexual partners
• Starting sexual activity before age 18
• Having children before age 16
• DES exposure
• Having had sexually transmitted diseases, especially HPV (genital warts) or HIV infection

Review Date: 06/15/2005
Reviewed By: Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.