My Results Show Cell Changes. But what does that actually mean?
We have teamed up with Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity, to give you more information about the different types of cell changes , what to expect at a colposcopy appointment, and most importantly to remember that cell changes do not mean cervical cancer.
Key facts about cervical cell changes
- Cell changes are not cervical cancer.
- The most common type of cell changes is called CIN.
- Other types of cell changes include CGIN and SMILE.
- You would get these results after colposcopy.
- Cell changes may be monitored or treated.
What are cell changes?
Cervical cell changes happen when cells don’t behave in an expected way.
After attending your cervical screening (smear test), your results letter or healthcare professional might use the terms abnormal cells or cervical abnormalities and refer you for a colposcopy appointment. This is just another way of saying cell changes. Types of cell changes include CIN and CGIN.
Finding out you have cell changes can be worrying, especially if you haven’t heard of CIN or CGIN before. Try to remember that cell changes are not cervical cancer and having them does not mean you will develop cervical cancer. Most cell changes will get better by themselves or with treatment.
“A doctor once described cell changes to me like an army of soldiers (your cells) marching along, then one or a few soldiers decide to march in their own direction.” – A Jo’s service user
What CIN Means - Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
CIN is named after the parts of the cervix it affects, which are the squamous cells on the outer surface. It is the most common type of cell changes.
It is important to know that CIN is not cervical cancer. CIN may be monitored or treated, depending on the grade and your personal situation.
CIN is graded from 1 to 3. The number shows how deep the cell changes go into the outer surface of the cervix. Sometimes, the terms low grade or high grade are also used.
- CIN1 (low grade)
CIN1 is usually monitored, instead of being treated. This is because, in most cases, CIN1 will naturally regress to ‘normal’ cells.
- CIN2 (high grade)
CIN2 can be either monitored or treated. Your colposcopist will make a recommendation based on your personal situation and preference.
- CIN3 (high grade)
CIN3 is usually treated. This is because it is the highest grade of CIN-type cell changes.
What CGIN Means - Cervical Glandular Intraepithelial Neoplasia
CGIN is named after the parts of the cervix it affects, which are the glandular cells inside the cervical canal.
It is important to know that CGIN is not cervical cancer. You will usually be offered treatment for CGIN though. This is because glandular cells are inside the cervical canal, which means that they cannot be seen or monitored as easily.
CGIN is usually described as either low grade or high grade. If you have any grade of CGIN, you will be offered treatment.
What SMILE Means - Stratified Mucin (Producing) Intraepithelial Lesion
CIN is the most common type of cell changes, with CGIN being the second most common. But there are other types of cell changes you can have, including SMILE. SMILE stands for stratified mucin-producing intraepithelial lesion. It is thought of and treated in a similar way to CGIN. However, it is much rarer.
If you have questions about SMILE, or any other type of cell changes, it is best to speak with your colposcopy team.
How Cervical cell Changes are Monitored
Your colposcopy team may suggest cervical cell changes (abnormal cells) are monitored, instead of treated. This means you would be invited back for follow up appointments at your GP surgery or the colposcopy department to check the cell changes have cleared or got better.
- Monitoring is when cell changes are not treated – instead, your doctor or nurse will keep a close eye on them.
- It means going back for a colposcopy or to your GP surgery to make sure the cell changes have cleared or got better.
- Monitoring appointments usually happen every 6 months or every year, depending on the type and grade of cell changes.
- Monitoring is usually only recommended for CIN1 and sometimes CIN2.
Treating Cervical Cell Changes
Cervical cell changes (abnormal cells) may need treatment. This is offered as a way to prevent them from possibly developing to a higher grade or into cervical cancer. Common treatments include LLETZ and cone biopsy.
- LLETZ - is a type of surgery that removes a small part of the cervix.
- Cone Biopsy - is a type of surgery that removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue from your cervix.
Will cell changes develop into cervical cancer?
With the right management, the risk of cell changes developing into cervical cancer is low. Most cell changes do not develop into cervical cancer.
The likelihood of progression or regression depends on your personal situation, including factors like:
- age
- grade of CIN
- whether or not you smoke
- whether you have a condition that affects your immune system (for example, HIV).
Cervical cell changes FAQs.
What other words or phrases are used to describe cell changes?
If you talk to people outside of the UK, you may hear these words or phrases being used to describe cell changes:
- Abnormal squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS or ASCU-H) – this usually means the same as borderline cell changes.
- Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) – this usually means the same as low-grade dyskaryosis.
- High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) – this usually means the same as high-grade dyskaryosis.
These results are usually those you would get after cervical screening, rather than colposcopy.
Are cell changes the same as pre-cancerous cells?
Sometimes people use the words ‘precancerous cells’ when talking about cervical cell changes. This does not mean these cell changes will definitely develop into cervical cancer. It just means that the cells are abnormal, but are not cancer cells.
Is dyskaryosis the same as CIN or CGIN?
No. Dyskaryosis means ‘changes of the cells’, which are found by a cervical screening test. CIN, CGIN or SMILE describe the specific type and grade of any changes in the cells. This is a formal diagnosis that will help decide management of any changes. You would get these results after a colposcopy.
Cells are the building blocks of tissue. This means if your cells show a ‘low-grade dyskaryosis’, it is likely that your tissue will show low-grade changes too (such as CIN 1). Alternatively, if your cells show ‘severe or high-grade dyskaryosis’, it is likely that your tissue will show high-grade changes (such as CIN2 or CIN3).
However, this is not always the case – sometimes cervical screening and colposcopy results are different. This is why a colposcopy is important, as it confirms what is really happening in your cervix.
How Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust can help.
The most important thing to remember is that CIN and CGIN are not cervical cancer, and that you will have a team of dedicated experts caring for you. But we know it can still feel scary to get a cell changes result.
Please visit the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website to access further information about cell changes, monitoring and treatment.