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Cervical Dysplasia

From Tracee Cornforth, for About.com

Updated: October 15, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: Cervical dysplasia is a type of abnormal Pap smear result which is more frequently called CIN or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Cervical dysplasia occurs when microscopic changes occur in cervical tissues. These changes are caused by the human pappilomavirus or HPV. Cervical dysplasia can range from mild to severe. Left untreated, cervical dysplasia has the potential to develop into cervical cancer, however this rarely occurs. Although cervical dysplasia is most often detected by Pap smear, it can also be detected through cervical biopsy.

See: Understanding Your Pap Smear Results

Also Known As: CIN
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