Cervical Biopsy

A biopsy is a small sample, about the size of a pin-head, which is taken from the abnormal area on the cervix. Most women only feel a slight pinch when the biopsy is taken. The biopsy will be sent to the laboratory where it will be examined under a microscope to look for anything abnormal. After the biopsy has been taken, there may be a small amount of bleeding for 3 or 4 days and you can use either pads or tampons. It will take up to 3 weeks for your doctor to contact you with the results.

Biopsy results

If anything abnormal is found in the biopsy, it will be graded according to the severity of the abnormality and a report will be sent to your doctor. Abnormalities in a cervical biopsy are called Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) and the grading goes from CIN 1 (mild), to CIN 3 (severe).

CIN 1

Mild abnormalities have been found in the biopsy. More than half of the women with this result will not need treatment as the abnormalities usually disappear on their own. However, some women will have, or will develop, cervical disease that does need to be treated. The follow-up of CIN1 has therefore been designed with this in mind.

If you were referred to colposcopy because of a borderline or mild cervical smear, there are 2 possible follow-up procedures if CIN1 is found in your biopsy:

1. If the colposcopy was normal, then you will be advised to have a repeat cervical smear in 6 months. If this repeat cervical smear is:

  • Normal – you will be returned to routine screening
  • Borderline or mild – you will be advised to have another cervical smear in 12 months
  • Moderate or Severe – you will be referred directly to colposcopy

2. If the colposcopy showed low-grade disease, you will be advised to have another colposcopy in 6 months time. Sometimes you may be advised to return for treatment so the abnormal area can be removed to reduce the risk of cervical cancer developing.

CIN 2

Moderate abnormalities have been found in the biopsy. Abnormalities classified as CIN 2 are more likely to progress. Therefore, women with this result will usually be advised to return for treatment so the abnormal area can be removed to decrease the chances of cervical cancer developing.

CIN 3

Severe abnormalities have been found in the biopsy. Abnormalities classified as CIN3 are likely to progress. Therefore, all women with this result will be advised to return for treatment so the abnormal area can be removed to decrease the chances of cervical cancer developing.