Colposcopy - directed biopsy

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Uterus

Biopsy - colposcopy - directed; Biopsy - cervix - colposcopy; Endocervical curettage; ECC; Cervical punch biopsy; Biopsy - cervical punch; Cervical biopsy

Your doctor should be able to tell you about anything abnormal that was seen during a colposcopy. A smooth, pink surface of the cervix is normal.

A specialist called a pathologist will examine the tissue sample from the cervical biopsy and will report to your doctor whether the cells appear normal or abnormal. Results of a biopsy most often take 1 - 2 weeks. If the biopsy results are normal, it means that no cancer or precancerous changes were seen in the cells.

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Abnormal findings that may be seen during the colposcopy include:

• Abnormal patterns in the blood vessels
• Areas that are swollen, worn away, or wasted away (atrophic)
• Cervical polyps
• Genital warts
• Whitish patches on the cervix

Abnormal biopsy results may include:

• Cancer of the cervix
• Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (precancerous tissue changes that are also called cervical dysplasia)
• Cervical warts (infection with human papilloma virus, or HPV)

Review Date: 02/21/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).