Colposcopy helps detect cervical cancer early

Colposcopy is a method of using a colposcope with a magnification of 10-30 times to assist the doctor in observing the lesion clearly. This method is used to detect early abnormalities in the uterus of women, especially cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is a common cancer in women. The most common cause of cervical cancer is infection with the sexually transmitted HPV virus. Cervical cancer warning symptoms include: Abnormal vaginal bleeding after intercourse, outside the menstrual cycle; vaginal bleeding in postmenopausal women; pelvic pain; foul-smelling discharge, unusual color; anemia; abnormality when urinating,...
Measures for early detection of cervical cancer include: Gynecological examination, vaginal cytology test - Pap test and colposcopy. Like other cancers, cervical cancer, if detected early, can be completely cured. However, because the disease has few obvious symptoms in the early stages, it is usually only detected when it is at a late stage - when the treatment is difficult and the cure rate is not high.

2.1 What is colposcopy? Colposcopy is a method of looking at the cervix through a colposcope (special magnifying device). Colposcopy shines light through the vagina, into the cervix, which can magnify the real image by 10-30 times. This method helps the doctor to detect lesions on the cervix that cannot be seen with the naked eye. In addition, colposcopy can also be combined with the application of 3-5% acetic acid solution (Hinselmann's test) and 2% lugol solution (Schiller's test) to the cervix to help the doctor determine the correct diagnosis. cervical lesions.
2.2 Colposcopy for early detection of cervical cancer Colposcopy is done when the results of a screening test for cervical cancer show abnormal changes in the cells. Colposcopy is a useful method to help doctors diagnose and evaluate abnormalities in the cervix. In particular, this method helps doctors detect precancerous lesions and micro-invasive cancers when there are no clinical symptoms. When detecting suspected lesions in the cervix, the doctor will biopsies that position to take a few small pieces of tissue, then stain, look at the microscope to find malignant cells, serving the treatment of cancer patients. accurate diagnosis.
2.3 Indications for colposcopy Find the cause of cervical lesions, determine the border of cervical lesions to find the biopsy site;
Genital warts on the cervix; Cervicitis ; Benign hyperplastic masses such as polyps (not cancerous); Find the cause of pain, vaginal bleeding; Monitor progress and evaluate outcomes of treatment.

2.4 Procedure for performing colposcopy procedure Time of implementation
No colposcopy on the day of menstruation or heavy vaginal bleeding; For women still menstruating: Colposcopy should be performed on the 7th - 12th day of the menstrual cycle when the cervix is ​​dilated, creating favorable conditions for observation and assessment of lesions; For women who have passed menopause: It is recommended to prepare with estrogen a few days in advance to help the cervix dilate, to avoid missing damage during colposcopy. Procedure:
Patient lies supine, legs raised, put on footrests for support; The doctor uses a speculum to separate the vaginal walls to look inside the vagina and cervix. The colposcope is placed outside the vaginal opening; The doctor applies a gentle solution to the cervix with the vagina to look at abnormal areas of the cervix. During this time, the patient may feel a slight burning sensation; Your doctor can biopsy abnormal areas of the cervix by removing a small piece of tissue from the cervix. Health recovery:
With colposcopy patients without biopsy, the patient will recover immediately, may have vaginal bleeding for a few days; For colposcopy patients with biopsies, the patient may have pain for 1-2 days, with vaginal bleeding, black vaginal discharge; For at least 24 hours after colposcopy, the patient should not douche, use tampons, have sex, or use vaginal suppositories; Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: Heavy vaginal bleeding (using more than 1 tampon per hour), severe lower abdominal pain, fever, or chills or shivers. . Colposcopy is an effective method of early detection of cervical cancer, providing a high chance of cure for patients. Therefore, when there are abnormal signs, women should soon go to intensive care to promptly detect and treat cervical cancer.
Colposcopy is one of the cervical cancer screening steps in the Gynecological Cancer Screening and Early Detection Package at Vinmec International General Hospital. The screening package is performed by a team of experienced doctors and modern equipment, helping customers check the gynecological function; Early detection of diseases: cervical cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer even when there are no symptoms.

When registering for the Gynecological Cancer Screening and Early Detection Package, customers will receive:
Examination and consultation with a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology; Cervical cancer screening through automated system HPV genotype PCR test and transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus; Colposcopy: Early detection of abnormal lesions in the cervix; Other related tests, such as abdominal ultrasound, blood test... At Vinmec, the application of modern colposcopy method and aseptic procedure helps the diagnostic process to achieve the main results. most accurate. Screening results are then returned to the home with specific advice and recommendations for the patient.