High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL)
If a cervical screening test shows High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion, it means that there is moderate or severe degree of deteriorating cell changes. If left untreated, 1 to 2 in every 100 women may develop cervical cancer. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, these women need colposcopic examination during which tissue biopsy will be taken for further test, as such treatment can be advised accordingly. Successful treatment with regular follow-up cervical test can minimise the risk of cervical cancer.
In general, the development of cervical cancer is a long process. Cervical cells gradually undergo a series of changes from normal to abnormal, progressing from mild to moderate, then severe, and finally to cervical cancer. While these changes can worsen over time, they may also spontaneously regress to normal. Generally, progression to severe deterioration can take up to 5 to 10 years before cancer develops.
Treatment
The doctor will insert a speculum into the vagina, stain the vagina and cervix with special medicinal solution and then use a colposcope to identify any abnormal lesion. If an abnormal lesion is found, the doctor will use an equipment to extract a small piece of the tissue and send it to the laboratory for examination.
If there is no invasive cancer, treatment will be confined to the cervix. Treatment options include excision or destruction of the lesion. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure and laser therapy are the commonly used methods. The operation takes about 30 minutes and can be done in the general treatment room under local anaesthesia.