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Dysplasia or Cervix Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)

Cervical Dysplasia -- also called Cervix intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is the term for abnormal -- and possibly precancerous -- changes in cells on the surface of the cervix.

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus. Both the uterus and the cervix are located in the pelvis and are close to the upper part of the vagina and the ovaries. In fact, the cervix connects the uterus and the vagina. The vagina leads to the outside of the body.

The surface of the cervix is made up of two different types of cells, squamous epithelial cells (the lining cells of the outer part of the cervix, or ectocervix) and columnar epithelial cells (the lining cells of the inner part of the cervix, or endocervix).

Pap tests can detect precancerous and cancerous conditions by collecting cells from the surface of the cervix. Sometimes these cells appear abnormal, or atypical, when looked at under a microscope, but they are not completely cancerous. These are called premalignant or precancerous cells, which means they might turn into cancer if not found and treated early enough. These precancerous lesions are commonly called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV almost always is the cause for cervical dysplasia.

Treatment Options for Dysplasia or CIN

Women diagnosed with Dysplasia or CIN are seen in our Multidisciplinary Gynecologic Oncology Clinic. Learn more about the clinic by visiting the Multidiscipinary Gynecologic Oncology Clinic webpage. For women diagnosed with abnormal Pap smears, vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia, squamous intraepithelial lesion, carcinoma in situ, condyloma (genital warts) or human papilloma virus (HPV), we offer our Colposcopy Clinic. Learn more about this clinic by visiting the Colposcopy Clinic webpage.

Or, call 734-647-8906 to make an appointment with either clinic.

Still have questions?

The nurses at Cancer AnswerLine™ have answers. Call 1-800-865-1125 and you'll get a personal response from one of our registered nurses, who have years of experience in caring for people with cancer.

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Cervical Cancer Screening Resources

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
this program provides low-income, uninsured, and underserved women access to timely breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services.