When do we take tissue samples?
You may be referred to us for tissue samples from the cervix if HPV, a virus that increases the risk of cell changes, is found in your cervical screening sample. Whether tissue samples should be taken depends on both the type of HPV and the findings in the cervical screening sample.
HPV infection is usually temporary, but it can increase the risk of developing cell changes over time. A cervical screening sample is not sufficient to say with certainty whether you have cell changes that should be treated, so we sometimes take tissue samples.
How the samples are taken
Tissue samples are taken under local anesthesia here at the clinic. It is a simple procedure. First, the cervix is examined carefully through a microscope. You then receive local anesthesia in the cervix before the tissue samples are taken.
After sampling
After the samples are taken, you may have bleeding for up to 2 weeks. You should avoid intercourse and bathing in a bathtub or pool until you have been free from bleeding for 3 days. It is also wise to take it easy with exercise for one week after sampling. Normal activity is fine.
Test results and follow-up
About 14 days after the samples are taken, you will hear from us about the result and further follow-up.
We usually send test results via PasientPost. See "Communication" under "Patient information".
About cell changes
Cell changes themselves are completely harmless and most often go away on their own. If they remain for a long time (many years), they can develop in a more serious direction and, in some cases, into cancer. This is why we treat changes that are more pronounced.
Mild cell changes usually go away on their own, so we do not usually treat them initially, but we monitor them.