Colposcopy - directed biopsy

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Colposcopy-directed biopsy

Female reproductive anatomy

Uterus

Biopsy - colposcopy-directed

A smooth, pink surface of the cervix is normal. A biopsy is only performed when abnormal tissues are seen or suspected because of abnormal Pap smear results.

Abnormalities detected include cervical warts (human papilloma virus), precancerous tissue changes, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, or invasive carcinoma (cancer). The colposcopy may be used to keep track of precancerous abnormalities and look for recurrent abnormalities after treatment.

Abnormal findings during a colposcopy include abnormal patterns in the blood vessels, whitish patches on the cervix, and areas that are inflamed, eroded, or atrophic (tissue wasting away). Any of these abnormalities may indicate cancerous changes.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include cervical dysplasia (indicated by abnormal Pap smear)

Review Date: 05/15/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network