Treatment: LEEP
Cervical Cancer Treatment by LEEP
If you have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, you may be overwhelmed with the wide variety of treatment options. Some of the procedures have very technical names and sound intimidating. However, it is helpful to learn as much as possible about all the choices so you can make an informed decision. For example, we are going to discuss LEEP as a viable treatment option.
First of all, LEEP stands for Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure.
The treatment uses an electrical current passed through a thin
low-voltage wire loop like a knife to remove any abnormal tissue.
The fact that this treatment involves using electricity may evoke
images of Frankenstein. However, don’t let the long name
and procedure frighten you - the actual procedure is virtually
painless. Medication is injected to numb the cervix and an IV
solution may also be used to minimize discomfort in certain
cases.
Patients remove their clothing and lie on their back with their legs
raised, sometimes in stirrups. A tool called a speculum is inserted
into the vagina which gently spreads the vaginal walls. Women who have
previously undergone a Pap smear will already be familiar with this
part of the procedure.
Sometimes a vinegar or iodine solution is applied the cervix before the
procedure to increase the visibility of the abnormal cells. Once
the wire loops is inserted, the current is able to quickly and
effectively destroy any abnormal tissue. In fact, the entire procedure
normally lasts 10-15 minutes and can be performed in a doctor’s
office, clinic or outpatient area of a hospital.
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This page was last updated:
April 22, 2006
It is not the intention of Cervicalcancer.org to provide specific medical advice, but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health and their diagnosed disorders. Specific medical advice will not be provided, and Cervicalcancer.org urges you to consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions.