Colposcopy Exam: Early Detection & Treatment of Cervix & Vaginal Lesions

Introduction

Colposcopy is a medical procedure that is used in the evaluation of the cervix and the vagina. Most pre-malignant and malevolent lesions in these regions contain characteristics that can be determined through a thorough examination. A magnified view of the organs by the colposcopy gives the practitioner ample time to diagnose the patient. When the lesions have been identified at an early stage treatment is administered to avoid spread to other parts of the body. Thus, the colposcopy also assists in collecting evidence on the victims of rape as the camera captures the walls of the vagina. Treatment is not administered on mild abnormalities; hence, the essence of therapy is to remove the abnormal cervical cells while preserving as many healthy tissues (Mitchell, Schottenfeld, Tortolero-Luna, Cantor & Richards-Kortum, 2014). If an abnormality has been detected on the cervix, a further test can be conducted to determine the correct results for proper medication to be recommended. Hence, the discussion involves elaborating the colposcopy and how specialists use it on the patients.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

During a colposcopy, the healthcare provider may see the abnormal cells in the areas targeted. Therefore, a biopsy may be done when a particular tool form the cervix removes a small piece of the tissue. Thus, the end cervical curettage assists in obtaining cells from the cervix canal also. The risks of colposcopy are severe since bleeding may be experienced for a period of two or more weeks. An infection may be contracted as one may discharge a yellow-colored substance that has a bad smell. Moreover, pelvic pain may also be encountered by the patient.

The individual tests conducted during colposcopy include the sampling of the cervix tissues, color filters and the use of acetic acid wash. Therefore after completion of the procedure, the cervix is washed through the acid that is diluted by either three or five percent. The regions that stain white are suspected of containing the abnormal cells resulting in a treatment procedure taken. A heated wire loop is used to remove the abnormal cells. The methods last a few minutes; thus the removal of the cells has to be successful (Wright, 2017). Sometimes it is important not to assume that one is suffering from cervical cancer when it is abnormal cells that have been detected in the cervix.

Colposcopy is conducted in two circumstances; to examine the uterus when the Pap smear result is irregular or if the cervix appears abnormal during the collection of a pap smear. Hence, the purpose of colposcopy is to identify why the uterus seems unnatural to ensure proper treatment is provided. The color filters on the instrument assist the doctor in detecting the abnormal cells. Therefore, it is a safer procedure as a complication is rarely encountered. A sample of the cervical cells for testing in the laboratory, hence the results will determine if the patient will be put under medication. A gynecologist oncologist plays an essential role in ensuring that a proper diagnosis is conducted for accurate (Rajkumar, 2017). The primary aim of the tool is to identify if a person has cervical cancer. Therefore, the doctor can quickly check through the organs of the cervix resulting in a proper result being achieved.

Infection of the human papillomavirus results in abnormal changes in the size of the cervix. Therefore, cervical tissues showcase unusual changes. In most cases, exposure to early sex, having multiple partners and taking oral contraceptives increase the risk of getting the illness. Depending on the stage on which the disease has reached, treatment is administered to the patient in the most significant way. The stage gets challenging to treat because the whole organ has been attacked.

Moreover, more damage has been caused, and the remedies provided may not treat the person. Note that abnormal cells have two important characteristics since they do not die and keep dividing at the quickest rate. Cervical cancer grows slowly; thus individuals are advised to undertake tests before the condition becomes severe.

What happens after a colposcopy?If a colposcopy has been conducted on one without a biopsy, they are expected to feel okay at that moment. However, some little spotting may be encountered for a few days. Besides, pain and discomfort are expected when a biopsy is done together with colposcopy. Therefore, a sanitary towel would be worn until the bleeding stops (Rajkumar, 2017). Hence, the healthcare provider may recommend that nothing be inserted to the vagina until the cervix heals completely to avoid complications.

Conclusion

Colposcopy is conducted in two circumstances; to examine the uterus when the Pap smear result is irregular or if the cervix appears abnormal during the collection of a pap smear. Hence, the purpose of colposcopy is to identify why the uterus seems unnatural to ensure proper treatment is provided. The color filters on the instrument assist the doctor in detecting the abnormal cells. Therefore, it is a safer procedure as a complication is rarely encountered. A sample of the cervical cells for testing in the laboratory, hence the results will determine if the patient will be put under medication. Hence, one should be put on medication immediately the results have been determined.

References

Mitchell, M. F., Schottenfeld, D., Tortolero-Luna, G., Cantor, S. B., & Richards-Kortum, R. (2014). Colposcopy for the diagnosis of squamous intraepithelial lesions: a meta-analysis. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 91(4), 626-631.

Wright Jr, T. C. (2017). The New ASCCP Colposcopy Standards.

Rajkumar, R. (Ed.). (2017). Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. BoD-Books on Demand.