Cytology report

Low grade squamous intrapithelial lesion what mean?

[alanpvegas]

Source for the following:  http://www.medfriendly.com/lowgradesquamousintraepitheliallesion.html

Alan

------------
Ovarian Cancer Research Website (In BETA Testing)
http://cancer.alanpeto.com/




WHAT IS A LOW GRADE SQUAMOUS INTRAEPITHELIAL LESION?


A low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (commonly abbreviated LGSIL) is a type of abnormal growth of squamous cells on the surface of the cervix. Squamous cells are flat, scale-like types of epithelial cells. Epithelial cells are cells that help absorb, move, and distribute some of the fluids and nutrients in the body. The cervix is a small, cylinder-shaped organ that forms the lower part and neck of the uterus. The uterus is a hollow organ in a female's body where the egg is implanted and the baby develops.

There are low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. The terms "low grade" and "high grade" (in reference to squamous intraepithelial lesions) refers to how abnormal the cells are and how much of the cervix is affected. A low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion is one in which the cells are not very abnormal and not much of the cervix is affected. A high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (commonly abbreviated HGSIL) is one in which the cells are very abnormal and much of the cervix is affected.

  

WHAT CAUSES LOW GRADE SQUAMOUS INTRAEPITHELIAL LESIONS?

Low grade squamous epithelial lesions are caused by infections or healing from a minor injury. Sometimes, no cause can be identified.

HOW ARE LOW GRADE SQUAMOUS INTRAEPITHELIAL LESIONS DIAGNOSED?

Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions are usually diagnosed with a Pap smear or colposcopy. A Pap smear is a type of test used to detect abnormal changes in cells. This is done by scraping away loose cells from the cervix, spreading (smearing) it on a glass slide, and examining it under a microscope. A colposcopy is a visual examination of the vagina and cervix with a lighted magnifying instrument, known as a colposcope. The vagina is an opening in the female's body that is part of the reproductive system.

The definitive way to diagnose a low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion is with a biopsy done during a colposcopy. A biopsy is the process of removing living tissue or cells from organs or other body parts of patients for examination under a microscope or in a culture to help make a diagnosis, follow the course of a disease, or estimate a prognosis. A culture is an artificial way to grow cells or tissues in the laboratory.

DOES HAVING A LOW GRADE SQUAMOUS INTRAEPITHELIAL LESION MEAN THAT CANCER IS PRESENT?

Having a low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion does not mean that cancer is present. Cancer is an abnormal growth of new tissue characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormally structured cells that have a more primitive form. The presence of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions represents changes in cells that may occur before cancer is present. Thus, low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions are sometimes seen by doctors as warnings that cancer of the cervix may occur at a later date.

It should be noted that the chances of having a low grade intraepithelial lesion showing up on a Pap smear with invasive cancer of the cervix already being present is less than 1%. Also, less than 1% of women with a low grade intraepithelial lesion that shows up on a Pap smear will develop cancer of the cervix within the next 24 months.

HOW ARE LOW GRADE SQUAMOUS INTRAEPITHELIAL LESIONS TREATED?

Sometimes, low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions go away without treatment. The milder the condition, the more likely it will go away without treatment. Some doctors, however, may choose to remove low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions since it is possible for them to progress to cancer of the cervix. The results of the colposcopy, and not the Pap smear, will provide the basis for treatment. This is because a colposcopy (combined with a biopsy) is a more definitive test than the Pap smear.

The goal of treatment is to destroy and/or remove the abnormal cells on the cervix so that new healthy cells will grow over the area where the abnormalities were present. Squamous intraepithelial lesions can be destroyed by applying below-freezing temperatures to them, by using lasers, or by applying heat and/or electrical currents. If abnormal areas of tissue need to be totally removed, a colposcopy is often used as a visual aid during surgery. Removal of the tissue can take place during the biopsy or at a later time if the patient desires.

It is important to note that if there is disease inside the canal (passageway) of the cervix, doctors do not freeze the disease tissue. Freezing is generally used in small areas of abnormality (even if they are severe) that do not enter the canal of the cervix. Freezing tissue usually only takes a few minutes to do in the doctor's office. Healing from this freezing procedure will take about 3 weeks. A watery liquid will usually come out of the vagina during the healing process after the freezing procedure.

Destroying tissue with laser or heated electrical current is usually more appropriate for larger areas of abnormality. Larger abnormal areas (even if they are mildly abnormal) are more than an inch wide, more than a half inch from the bone by the cervix, or in more than two quadrants of the cervix. A quadrant is a division into four areas. Abnormal areas that enter the canal of the cervix generally respond best to treatment with laser therapy or electrical current.

The abnormal cells that are removed are usually located at the transformation zone of the cervix. The transformation zone is located in the outside of the cervix or in the canal of the cervix. The transformation zone is the area where tall cells shaped like a column (known as columnar cells) are transformed (changed) into flat cells known as squamous cells. It is in the transformation zone that abnormalities develop. In general, any procedure that destroys squamous intraepithelial lesions on the cervix cures the condition in about 85% of the cases.

[INNOCENTIA]

I am a 20 year lady whom was raped and got hiv, I went for pap-smere and the dr saud I have lsil, so what I need to know is whether the cells can be removed from an infected person or will they keep on coming back.