Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Tracie is 39 years old and is in a casual relationship with a man. She had her first sexual relationship when she was 13 and prefers to have short-term sexual relationships with men instead of a monogamous, committed partnership. It had been several years since Tracie had a complete physical, so before going on a vacation, she decided to have one done. Tracie’s Pap smear indicated CIN 3 (HSIL) dysplasia. Her physician immediately ordered a colposcopy and LEEP excision, and then asked to see Tracie for a follow-up appointment 6 months later.
- Why is cervical cancer considered a sexually transmitted disease?
- Explain what the Pap smear entails and why it is an effective tool in the detection of cervical cancer. What does Tracie’s result mean?
- What is the transformation zone, and why is it vulnerable to the development of cervical cancer?
- What is the LEEP procedure, and why is it useful for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical dysplasia?