Colposcopy and Biopsy (Histopathology)
Colposcopy is a way of looking at the cervix through a special magnifying device called a colposcope. It shines a light into the vagina and onto the cervix. A colposcope can greatly enlarge the normal view. This exam allows the health care provider to find problems that cannot be seen by the eye alone.
Colposcopy is a further, more in-depth diagnostic option to assess cervical cells. Colposcopy can be performed in the outpatient clinic setting and does not require admission to hospital.
It is advisable to perform colposcopy and biopsy in recurrent abnormal or suspicious PAP smear findings to rule out any major cell changes, intraepithelial lesions or malignancies in the deeper tissue layers. In colposcopy, the surface of the cervix (portio) is inspected with a video microscope magnifying the area of interest. By applying test solutions cell changes can be visualized and suspicious lesions can be identified. Tiny tissue biopsies can be collected from these areas and send for further histopathological assessment. In comparison to the routine PAP smear, deeper tissue layers can be examined to rule out invasive intraepithelial changes. The results from histopathology assessment will be discussed with the patient by the gynecologist.