Colposcopy is a medical diagnostic procedure to examine an illuminated, magnified view of the cervix and the tissues of the vagina and vulva. Many premalignant lesions and malignant lesions in these areas have discernible characteristics which can be detected thorough the examination. It is done using a colposcope, which provides an enlarged view of the areas, allowing the colposcopist to visually distinguish normal from abnormal appearing tissue and take directed biopsies for further pathological examination. Most women undergo a colposcopic examination to further investigate a cytological abnormality on their pap smears
A colposcope is used to identify visible clues suggestive of abnormal tissue. It functions as a lighted binocular microscope to magnify the view of the cervix, vagina, and vulvar surface. Acetic acid solution and iodine solution (Lugol's) are applied to the surface to improve visualization of abnormal areas.
After a complete examination, the colposcopist determines the areas with the highest degree of visible abnormality and may obtain biopsies from these areas. Monsel's solution is applied to the surface of the cervix to control bleeding. This solution looks like mustard and becomes black in color when exposed to blood.
A human papilloma virus (HPV) is a virus that infects the skin and mucous membranes of humans. There about 120 HPV types who have been identified. Some HPV types can cause warts or some types can cause cancer, while others have no symptoms.
About 50 HPV types are typically transmitted through sexual contact and infect the anogenital region. Some sexually transmitted HPV types may cause genital warts. Persistent infection with "high-risk" HPV types may progress to precancerous lesions and invasive cancer. HPV infection is a cause of nearly all cases of cervical cancer. However most infections with these types do not cause disease.
HPV is estimated to be the most common sexually transmitted infection. Most sexually active men and women will probably acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives.
Women who do not have regular Pap Test substantially increase their risk of developing cancer because potentially precancerous lesions are not detected and they do not receive appropriate follow-up.
Over 120 different HPV types have been identified and are referred to by number. Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68 are "high-risk" sexually transmitted HPVs and may lead to the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).
The HPV test detects many common "low" and "high-risk" HPV genotypes. This test is an important screening option because it determines the follow-up. When patients are screened with both HPV testing and Pap testing the sensitivity reaches 100%.
Genital or anal warts (condylomata acuminata) are the most easily recognized sign of genital HPV infection. Although a wide variety of HPV types can cause genital warts, types 6 and 11 account for about 90% of all cases.
Most people who acquire genital wart-associated HPV types clear the infection rapidly without ever developing warts or any other symptoms. People may transmit the virus to others even if they don't display overt symptoms of infection.
There are many types of treatments.
Application of creams such as Podophyllin, Cryosurgery, which involves freezing the wart, Laser treatment by vaporizing and destroying tissue and skin, Aldara cream, helps the body's immune system fight the wart virus by encouraging interferon production.
The wart often regrows after the skin has healed and that has to do with the immune system of the patient.
Dr Maria Papadopoulou is a certified doctor from "Hellenic Society of Cervix Pathology & Colposcopy".