• What are abnormal cervical cells?
• What causes abnormal cervical cells?
• How are abnormal cervical cells detected?
• How are Pap test results reported?
• Are there additional tests for women diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells?
• Can abnormal cervical cells be treated?

Methods commonly used to treat abnormal cervical cells include cryosurgery (freezing that destroys abnormal cervical cells), LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure, the removal of abnormal cervical cells using a hot wire loop), and conventional surgery.

The healthcare professional may request an additional follow-up examination to make sure that the abnormal cells do not come back. If the abnormal cells reappear, the treatment can be repeated.

Abnormal cervical cells can be the first consequence of HPV. So an abnormal Pap test is an important warning sign that shouldn't be ignored. Find out more about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its connection to cervical cancer, genital warts, and other consequences in other sections of this site, and speak to your healthcare professional to learn more about these topics.