Cervical Biopsy Essay

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Cervical Biopsy

According to the St. John Providence Health System (2012), a cervical biopsy is "a procedure performed to remove tissue from the cervix to test for abnormal or precancerous conditions, or cervical cancer." Cervical biopsies are administered during a procedure known as a colposcopy, which uses a magnifying instrument to help the physician visualize the cervix to observe for any abnormalities. For the biopsy itself, a tool like forceps or a needle may be used to extract small bits of tissue for laboratory examination. There are a few different types of cervical biopsies, including a punch biopsy, a cone biopsy, and endocervical curettage (ECC). The punch biopsy is the most basic of cervical biopsy, involving the removal of small pieces of tissue from one or more parts of the cervix. When a laser or scalpel is used to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue, it is called a cone biopsy. An ECC refers to the use of a curette, a narrow scoop-shaped instrument.
The curettage scrapes the lining of the endocervical canal for tissue analysis. Related procedures include the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), colposcopy, and Pap test.

When the results of a Pap test are abnormal, a cervical biopsy may be recommended. Some of the most common abnormalities discovered during the Pap test include human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated. The biopsy is administered if the Pap test comes up positive for HPV, because genital lesions may be present and can be pre-cancerous or cancerous. Polyps, genital warts, and other conditions may also call for a biopsy to be performed. In some cases, the results of the Pap test and the cervical biopsy do not match and repeated testing may be required. As Jocoy (2009) points out, "Over half of minor cell changes become normal again on their own in 6 to 18 months."

Cervical biopsies are minor procedures that do not require hospital stays. The patient's.....

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