DR. ALICIA TORRES CARBAJAL
Gynecology and Colposcopy
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Colposcopy of Information
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WHO SHOULD HAVE A COLPOSCOPY?
All women who have or have had sexual relations; this is a fundamental condition.
All women who have leucorrhea (vaginal discharge) resistant to treatment.
All women with an abnormal pap test (human papiloma virus infection or condilomata, dysplasias, cancer).
All women about to have a hysterectomy.
All women who want to be sure they do not have cervical cancer.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD A COLPOSCOPY BE CARRIED OUT?
Every six months if no alterations exist. It should be carried out if symptoms appear such as itching in the vulva or vagina, leucorrhea (vaginal discharge), strong odor, or abnormal bleeding. This cancer is asymptomatic in its initial stage; when symptoms such as bleeding or pain appear, the disease is more advanced.
WHAT TYPES OF LESIONS ARE DIAGNOSED WITH A COLPOSCOPY?
Infections caused by human papiloma virus, dysplasias or lesions which are already neoplastic (cancer) but not yet invasive, and advanced cancer. The advantage of detecting these lesions in the early stage lies in the possibility of using conservative treatment and achieving healing. Conservative treatments are those which are carried out on an outpatient basis, not requiring hospitalization, avoiding surgical interventions (hysterectomy). They are thus non-mutilating, as they save the organ and the reproductive function.
These types of treatment include:
· Cryosurgery
· Electrosurgery (diathermic loop)
· Laser therapy
Both the colposcopy and conservative treatments should be carried out in a dysplasia clinic with adequate equipment and by a medical expert on the subject.