Cervical Biopsy Poses only Very Small Risk to Future Pregnancy
Women who have abnormal Pap or cervical smear tests are usually sent for further investigation. Doctors use one of four different techniques to remove suspicious cells for further examination. All have been shown to be equally successful in preventing progression to cervical cancer. Women should be aware, however, that three of the techniques carry a small risk of complications with a future pregnancy.
In Great Britain, researchers from the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire analyzed results from 27 studies. They looked at various treatments used to remove abnormal cells and sometimes a margin of healthy cells around them. Their conclusions were published in the Lancet medical journal.
Laser ablation, which destroys the abnormal cells, was the only treatment not linked to any pregnancy risks. Cold knife conisation uses a scapel to remove a cone-shaped wedge of tissue, and laser conisation employs the laser to do the same thing. Researchers found that in subsequent pregnancies, cold knife conisation increased the risk of giving birth prematurely, of having a low birthweight baby, or needing a Caesarean. Laser conisation had similar risks, although not to the same extent.
The most common procedure, called LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone), removes the area with abnormal cells from the cervix by employing a small tool and electric current. This procedure was also found to raise the risks of having a premature or small baby. In addition, it increased the chances of early rupturing of membranes.
Professor Peter Sasieni, a UK cancer research expert, stressed the importance of women being aware of potential side-effects. They should discuss various options with their doctor prior to treatment for cervical precancerous cells. The most important consideration is that a woman gets the treatment she needs to prevent cervical cancer. The chances of pregnancy risks are very small, he concluded.
In Great Britain, researchers from the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire analyzed results from 27 studies. They looked at various treatments used to remove abnormal cells and sometimes a margin of healthy cells around them. Their conclusions were published in the Lancet medical journal.
Laser ablation, which destroys the abnormal cells, was the only treatment not linked to any pregnancy risks. Cold knife conisation uses a scapel to remove a cone-shaped wedge of tissue, and laser conisation employs the laser to do the same thing. Researchers found that in subsequent pregnancies, cold knife conisation increased the risk of giving birth prematurely, of having a low birthweight baby, or needing a Caesarean. Laser conisation had similar risks, although not to the same extent.
The most common procedure, called LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone), removes the area with abnormal cells from the cervix by employing a small tool and electric current. This procedure was also found to raise the risks of having a premature or small baby. In addition, it increased the chances of early rupturing of membranes.
Professor Peter Sasieni, a UK cancer research expert, stressed the importance of women being aware of potential side-effects. They should discuss various options with their doctor prior to treatment for cervical precancerous cells. The most important consideration is that a woman gets the treatment she needs to prevent cervical cancer. The chances of pregnancy risks are very small, he concluded.
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