What is considered normal for biopsy results

If a woman feels uncomfortable in her cervix, she needs to go to the hospital for examination, preferably a cervical biopsy. Cervical biopsy is an important means of detecting cervical cancer in women. Cervical cancer is extremely harmful to women, and if it reaches the middle or late stages, there is almost no chance of cure. Therefore, women's cervix must be given enough attention. You can use the results of cervical biopsy to see whether your cervix is ​​normal. So, what are normal biopsy results?

What are normal biopsy results?

Cervical biopsy refers to a cervical biopsy, which is a pathological examination of the cervical lesions or small pieces of tissue taken from different parts of the cervix. That is, the cervix is ​​observed under a microscope for lesions. This examination is painless and can be performed in an outpatient clinic. The results usually come out after 3 days.

The results of a cervical biopsy are the most accurate basis for diagnosing cervical cancer. Most cervical cancers have the following development process: normal cervical epithelium → chronic cervicitis (with three forms: squamous epithelial atypical hyperplasia, glandular cysts and polyps) → precancerous lesions → carcinoma in situ → invasive cancer.

Atypical hyperplasia of cervical glandular squamous epithelium: Squamous epithelial hyperplasia is a very common manifestation of chronic cervicitis. It is an adaptive change, not a precancerous lesion. For those whose test results show atypical squamous epithelial hyperplasia, it is more likely that they have chronic cervicitis and there is no need to worry too much.

Cervical gland cyst: It may also be written as retention cyst or Nabot's cyst on the examination results. It is also one of the manifestations of cervical inflammation.

Cervical polyps: the product of long-term stimulation of chronic cervicitis. This type of polyp is inflammatory in nature, not a tumor, and generally will not become malignant.

Atypical hyperplasia of the cervical epithelium: It is a type of precancerous lesion and has the potential to become cancerous. According to the degree and range of dysplasia, atypical hyperplasia is divided into three grades: CIN1, CINII, and CINIII (mild, moderate, and severe).

Carcinoma in situ of the cervix: When severe epithelial atypical hyperplasia evolves further and the mutated epithelial cells become dominant, it becomes carcinoma in situ.

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma: According to the severity of the cancer, it can be divided into early invasive cancer and invasive cancer. Early invasive cancer usually has no obvious clinical symptoms. Patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma often have more obvious clinical symptoms.

4 issues to pay attention to when diagnosing cervical lesions

(1) First, cervical/vaginal cytology screening

All sexually active women over the age of 18 should have a cervical cytology smear every year or at least every two years. If satisfactory and normal results are obtained for 3 or more consecutive examinations, the doctor may decide to reduce the number of examinations for those at low risk. Due to my country's vast territory, large population, and development of economy, culture, and medical and health care, it is difficult to implement the above-mentioned census plan. However, doctors and women should establish screening awareness and improve and implement screening work when conditions permit. For women whose financial conditions permit, the above examination suggestions are recommended. For those with the aforementioned risk factors for cervical lesions, cytological screening and follow-up should be adopted.

(2) The results of cytology or screening are not the final diagnosis of cervical lesions

The cervical cytology test results were normal, and regular follow-up and repeat cytology examination were performed. For patients with abnormalities, such as ASCUS and AGCUS, cervical cytology examination should be repeated every 4-6 months within two years. If problems are found, colposcopy and direct biopsy, or endocervical curettage should be performed. The purpose of colposcopy is to visually and histologically determine the condition of the cervix and lower genital tract, comprehensively observe the squamous cell junction (SCJ) and transition zone (TZ), assess lesions, identify and take biopsy tissue, make a histological diagnosis, and provide a basis for further treatment.

(3) Cervical biopsy, endocervical curettage and cervical conization all have important histological diagnostic value

Cervical biopsy should be performed under colposcopy. Perform an iodine test in advance and select the area with the most severe lesions for sampling; since the lesions are multi-quadrant, it is recommended to perform multi-point biopsies; the tissue bitten should have a certain depth, including epithelium and sufficient stroma. Endocervical curettage is used to evaluate the invisible area of ​​the endocervical canal to determine whether there is any disease or cancer involving the endocervical canal. Cervical conization is an important surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical lesions and early cervical cancer and cannot be replaced by multi-point biopsy under the guidance of colposcopy.

(4) Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection should be included in the examination content in areas where conditions permit

The above-mentioned cytology, colposcopy and histology examinations are both diagnostic methods and a three-step diagnostic procedure that is carried out in sequence and is generally not skipped. Cytology is the initial test and serves as the basis for the other two.