Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. This
operation is used to
treat virtually all cases of invasive cervical cancer. Sometimes, a hysterectomy
is done to treat severe dysplasia. It may also be used if dysplasia recurs after
any of the other treatment procedures.
What is the prognosis (outlook) for cervical dysplasia?
Low-grade cervical dysplasia (LGSIL and/or CIN1) often spontaneously resolves
without treatment, but careful monitoring and follow-up testing is required.
Both ablation and resection of areas of cervical dysplasia cure approximately
90% of women with dysplasia, meaning that 10% of women will have a recurrence of
their abnormality after treatment, requiring additional treatment. When
untreated, high grade cervical dysplasia may progress to cervical cancer over
time. Resection and ablation therapies have been shown to reduce the risk of
developing cervical cancer by 95% in the first eight years after treatment in women
with high grade dysplasia.
Can cervical dysplasia be prevented?
A vaccine is available against four common HPV types
associated with the development of dysplasia and cervical cancer. This vaccine
(Gardasil) has received FDA approval for use in women between 9 and 26 years of
age and confers immunity against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
Abstinence from sexual activity can prevent the spread of HPVs that are
transmitted via sexual contact. However, some researchers believe that HPV
infection might be transmitted from the mother to infant in the birth canal,
since some studies have identified genital HPV infection in populations of young
children and cloistered nuns. Hand-genital and oral-genital transmission of HPV
has also been documented and is another means of transmission.
HPV is transmitted by direct genital contact. The virus is
not found in or spread by bodily fluids, and HPV is not found in blood or organs
harvested for transplantation. Condom use seems to decrease the risk of
transmission of HPV during sexual activity but does not completely prevent HPV
infection. Spermicides and hormonal birth control methods do not prevent the spread of HPV
infection.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any
type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and
the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are
usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
There are a number of different methods of birth control to include: barrier methods, IUDs, hormonal methods, natural methods, and surgical sterilization. Birth control methods can be reversible or permanent. In simple terms, all methods of birth control are based on either preventing a man's sperm from reaching and entering a woman's egg (fertilization) or preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the woman's uterus (her womb) and starting to grow.
When you are pregnant, many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be especially harmful to you and your baby. These STDs include herpes, HIV/AIDS, genital warts (HPV), hepatitis B, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Symptoms include bumps, sores, warts, swelling, itching, or redness in the genital region. Treatment of STDs while pregnant depends on how far along you are in the pregnancy and the progression of the infection.
Disease prevention in women includes screening tests that are a basic part of prevention medicine. All screening tests
are commonly available through your general doctor. Some specialized tests may be available elsewhere.
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