The medical term "dysplasia" refers to the formation of abnormal cells. When dysplasia is "cervical", it means that these cells are formed on the cervix due to the HPV virus. Some abnormalities are mild and disappear on their own without having to intervene with therapies of any kind. In other cases, typically rarer, they do not heal spontaneously. In this phase the cells are defined as "precancerous". So if not properly identified and treated in time, they may evolve into cervical cancer.
There is a classification of dysplasia that is based on the amount of abnormal cells present and that medical staff identifies as:

• Mild or "CIN 1" with the initials CIN is defined the "cervical intraepithelial neoplasia" or "cervical intraepithelial neoplasia". The number 1 indicates the level and in this case implies that only a third of the cervical cells is characterized by a certain abnormality, although this does not appear so clearly in evidence as in the moderate or severe dysplasia. In most cases, the CIN 1, also defined LSIL (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) resolves spontaneously without the need for any treatment.
• Moderate or "CIN 2": in this case the anomaly is found in about two -thirds of cervical cells. Both CIN 2 and CIN 3 are also described as HSIL (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions).
• Severe or "CIN 3": the majority of cervical cells are abnormal or precancerous

The primary cause of dysplasia is represented by the types of high-risk HPV, which is why one of the most frequent modes of contracting the virus is to have intimate sexual relationships. There are other factors that increase the percentage chance that an HPV infection can progress and lead to precancerous cells:

• During pregnancy, the exposure to a drug called diethylstilbestrol (DES) prescribed mainly between 1938 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage.
• The contraction of the infection by herpes simplex virus type 2 or chlamydia (sexually transmitted diseases).
• A precedent of cervical cancer in the family (mother or sister) that based on what estimated by the International Journal of Cancer increases the risk of three times.
• The presence of diseases that compromise the immune system (HIV/AIDS).
• A lifestyle that includes smoking. According to what estimated, this does not help the body to fight infection and doubles the risk that the percentage of abnormal cells develop in CIN 3.
• Subnormal levels of folic acid (a type of vitamin B).

Dysplasia usually have no symptoms whatsoever. For this reason, it is essential to be diagnosed through the use of tests to detect cervical cancer, the Pap test and, over 30 years, the HPV test. If the Pap test is not normal or if the analysis is repeated after one year showing a HPV infection that does not regress, the woman will have to perform a colposcopy for the purpose of a closer look at the cervix. During colposcopy, it is not infrequent that the doctors proceed also to a biopsy, or a withdrawal of cervical tissue to be subjected to laboratory analysis to determine the presence of a possible dysplasia and evaluate the possibility of intervention with a more specific treatment. This , however, is not a colposcopy error-free examination. In the event that during this examination the cervix appeared normal, it is required to repeat the HPV test (or Pap Test) after one year. If the tests are abnormal, the woman will have to perform a new colposcopy.

The type of treatment used to treat dysplasia depends on the extent of the abnormal cells. In the case where there are slight anomalies, these disappear without the need to resort to any therapy. In principle, the doctor monitors the patient's condition through screening tests that lead to repeat HPV testing after 12 months and the Pap test after 6 or 12 months. In cases of severe dysplasia and in some more moderate cases, instead you need to intervene with appropriate treatment. Possible methods that the doctor can use to remove abnormal cervical cells fall into two broad categories: the ablation or vaporization of abnormal cells, and excision or surgical removal of abnormal cells through scalpel or laser. Thanks to this procedure, it is also possible to analyze the tissue removed in the laboratory.

ABLATIVE TREATMENTS include:

• Laser Therapy
  In this case, the abnormal cells are vaporized through a thin high-intensity light beam which allows to control the area and the depth of treatment with the maximum precision.

EXCISIONAL TREATMENTS include:

• Leep (loop electrosurgical excision procedure)
  This is the treatment most commonly used to treat dysplasia. The abnormal tissue is removed by utilizing a thin loop through which electricity flows. It is a viable procedure on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.
• Laser o "cold blade" coniation
  If it is necessary to remove more extensive tissue zones, it's used the conization or "cold blade" laser that uses laser or scalpel to remove a portion or a cone of the cervix.