Cervical Cancer and Precancerous Conditions

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Before cervical cancer develops, healthy cervical cells slowly go through abnormal changes. Physicians call the presence of these abnormal cells dysplasia. Usually, the abnormal cells go away on their own. But some will eventually turn into true cancer if they’re not treated. Cells likely to turn into cancer are called precancerous. Dysplasia is sometimes called stage 0 in the cervical cancer staging system.

By finding and treating precancers, physicians can prevent nearly all cases of cervical cancer. This is why it’s so important to have regular screenings. Screenings are exams and tests to check for a condition even when you have no signs or symptoms.

Take Charge of Your Health

Talk to your primary care provider about cervical cancer screening. UW Medicine Primary Care can help you get started. Learn about Fred Hutch's relationship with UW Medicine.

How Tests Can Detect Cervical Precancers

A Pap test is when your primary care provider or gynecologist checks for abnormal cells or precancerous changes in your cervix. For a Pap test, your provider uses a small brush, swab or spatula to take a tiny sample of cells from your cervix and send them to a lab for testing. This is a common part of a pelvic exam.

If your results are abnormal, your provider will talk with you to figure out the best next step. For example, they may recommend having a colposcopy (a procedure to look at your cervix through a magnifying lens) and a biopsy (taking a sample of cells from abnormal areas to check for cancer).

Learn more about cervical cancer screening and diagnosis.

Types of Cervical Precancers

A few types of precancerous conditions may affect the cervix. If you have a Pap test or biopsy that shows precancer, your provider may use one of these terms to describe the results.

  • Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN1) — Most of the tissue looks normal, but some looks abnormal. Usually, the abnormalities will go away on their own. CIN1 is also called mild dysplasia or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL).
  • CIN2 and CIN3 — More of the tissue looks abnormal, and it’s more likely to become cancer. CIN2 (moderate dysplasia) may or may not go away on its own, and your provider may recommend treating it or checking it again with a biopsy in six months. Providers typically recommend treating CIN3 (severe dysplasia) right away. CIN2 and CIN3 are also called high-grade SIL (HSIL).

How Cervical Precancers Are Treated

Physicians can help prevent cervical cancer by removing or destroying the abnormal or precancerous cells. More than 90% of cervical cancers can be stopped this way — with no further treatment needed.

There are several methods:

  • Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) or large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), using a thin, heated wire loop to remove the tissue
  • Cold knife conization, using a scalpel to take out a cone-shaped piece of tissue where the abnormal cells are
  • Laser therapy, also called laser ablation, using a beam of light to destroy or remove the cells
  • Cryotherapy, also called cryosurgery, using a cold probe to freeze the cells

Cervical Cancer and Precancerous Conditions FAQ

Cervical cancer starts when cells in the cervix grow out of control. Normally, cells in the body grow and multiply to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells get old or damaged, they die and are replaced. Sometimes, this normal process breaks down. Abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t, forming tumors. Some tumors are cancer, and others are benign (noncancerous).

Cervical cancer spreads by growing into, or invading, nearby tissues. If the cancer cells invade nearby lymph nodes or blood vessels, they can travel through the lymph or blood to distant parts of the body. Then they can form new tumors in these places.

If your provider has told you that you have a precancerous condition of the cervix, here are some questions you may want to ask:

  • What’s the name of my precancerous condition, and what does this mean?
  • Do I need any other tests at this time?
  • Do I need treatment?
  • If so, what are my treatment options?
  • Which option do you recommend for me and why?
  • What will happen during the procedure?
  • What results can I expect from treatment?