Cervical Dysplasia
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Cervical dysplasia may be defined as abnormal changes in the cells of
the cervix often associated with human papillomavirus infections.(1
<#fn108329>) You might also hear it referred to as cervical
intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), or if you have recently had a pap
smear, as squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). Cervical dysplasia is
classified into three categories; mild, moderate, and severe, depending
on the depth of the changes in the epithelial cells.
It is always good to know what the risk factors are for conditions like
cervical dysplasia and there are various risk factors associated with
this condition. Studies have indicated that the risk of cervical
dysplasia is higher for women with multiple partners, women who?s sexual
partners are more promiscuous, and women whose first sexual intercourse
was at an early age.(2 <#fn108330>) Other studies have linked the number
of sexual partners as a strong risk factor and it has been reported that
there may be a link between cigarette smoking and CIN and invasive
cervical cancer.(3 <#fn108331>) In fact, some of these studies have
shown a two-fold increased risk for the development of abnormal cells in
the cervix among smokers and a relationship with the duration and
intensity of smoking.(4 <#fn108332>)
We have all been reading about how certain nutritional factors may be
involved in certain cancers. Reports indicate that nutritional factors
have been implicated in 60% of cancers in women and 40% of cancers in
men.(5 <#fn108333>) This leads us to believe that some nutrients may
help to protect the cervix from developing abnormal cells. Vitamin A,
carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folic acid have been reported to
have this protective effect.(6 <#fn108334>) However, to date it has been
difficult to compare these studies because there are so many variations
in the methods of measuring the nutrients as well as in how the
participants in the studies were selected.
In recent years, there has been a strong link between the risk of
cervical dysplasia and some of the various types of human papilloma
viruses. More than 90% of cervical cancers contain DNA of the higher
risk HPV viruses and that DNA has been found to be present in the early
stage lesions of cervical cancer.(7 <#fn108335>, 8 <#fn112194>)
About the Author
Footnotes Back to Top <#top>
^1 Shiu AT. Cervical dysplasia. In: Dambro MR ed. Griffith?s 5-minute
Clinical Consult. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Wlliams, & Wilkins; 1999:103.
^2 Munoz N. Bosch FX: Epidemiology of cervical cancer. IARC Sci Publ.
1989;94:9.
^3 Wilkenstein W. Smoking and cervical cancer--current status: A review.
Am J Epidemiol. 1990;131:945.
^4 Brinton LA. Epidemiology of cervical cancer?overview. IARC Sci Publ.
1992;119:3.
View Abstract </SHK/view-abs.asp?fnid=108332&absid=102643>
^5 Schneider A, Shah K. The role of vitamins in the etiology of cervical
neoplasia: An Epidemiologic review. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 1989;246:1.
View Abstract </SHK/view-abs.asp?fnid=108333&absid=102644>
^6 Morris M, Tortolero-Luna G, Malpica A, et al. Cervical
intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer. Obstet Gynecol Clin North
Am. Jun1996;Vol 23(2):347-410.
View Abstract </SHK/view-abs.asp?fnid=108334&absid=102645>
^7 Reichman RC. Human Papillomavirus Infections, In: Fauci AS, Braunwald
E, Isselbacher KJ, et al, eds. Harrison?s Principles of Internal
Medicine, 14th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1998:1099.
^8 American Cancer Society. Cervical cancer fact sheet. Revised. Feb2000.
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