A diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, or cervical neoplasia, refers to a particular type of changes in the cervix. These changes may or may not be precursors to cervical cancer. In fact, a cervical neoplasia diagnosis can refer to a wide range of changes to the cervix. These changes can range from self-resolving mild to moderate cervical dysplasia all the way to the early stages of cervical cancer.

Defining Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

The cervical in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia has an obvious meaning. It refers to the uterine cervix. To understand what a cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is, it helps to understand the other terms as well. Intraepithelial means "within the epithelium." The muscular structure of the cervix is covered with layers of several types of epithelial cells. It is these cells that are affected by cervical intrapithelial neoplasia. Neoplasia literally means "new growth." However, it is usually used to refer to abnormal or uncontrolled cell growth. Thus, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is abnormal cell growth within the layers of epithelial cells that cover the cervix.

Grading

Cervical neoplasias are diagnosed by biopsy and graded according to their severity. Severity is graded as follows:

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 1 (CIN I) - mild dysplasia
CIN II - mild to moderate dysplasia
CIN III - severe dysplasia to cancer

People who are diagnosed with CIN I, or mild dysplasia, are generally not treated This type of cervical damage often heals itself without intervention. (This is the same as an LSIL diagnosis by Pap smear.) Instead, they are followed up more closely by their doctor. That may include more frequent Pap smears, HPV testing, or possibly colposcopy

In contrast, individuals with CIN II and CIN III are almost always referred for treatment. (These correspond to HSIL, ASC-H, AGC, or carcinoma in situ Pap smear diagnoses.) Treatment for moderate to severe cervical neoplasias involves removal of the lesions. This can be done through cryotherapy, LEEP, or conization.

Even after treatment to remove the lesion, individuals with high-grade cervical neoplasias remain at increased risk of developing cervical cancer in the future. They are generally advised to continue visiting their doctors for more frequent follow-up.

Cervical Neoplasia or Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion?

When diagnosed by Pap smear, cervical dysplasias are generally known as squamous intracellular lesions (SIL) instead of cervical interepithelial neoplasias. The cervical neoplasia diagnsosis is reserved for diagnosis by biopsy or colposcopy. This is because Pap smears provide the examiner with loose cells. In contrast, biopsies allow them to see any cervical damage in context. This gives doctors the ability to perform a more accurate diagnosis. Looking at the biopsy can show how deep into the cervix any lesions grow.

Does Cervical Neoplasia Mean Cancer?

Being diagnosed with a cervical neoplasia does not mean you have cancer. It doesn't even mean that you are going to get cancer. What it does mean is that you are probably at an increased risk of developing cancer at some point in the future. That is particularly true if you are diagnosed with CIN II or CIN III.

Your absolute cancer risk is still low after a CIN II or III diagnosis. However, your doctor will probably recommend regular follow-up. That will help make sure that she can catch it early if cancer does develop. Early diagnosis and treatment is a critical step in limiting mortality from cervical cancer.