Have you been asked to have a cone biopsy? Don't worry, let's talk about it!

It's normal to feel a little nervous and anxious when your doctor tells you that you need to take a small sample of your cervix for testing. That fear can be heightened when you hear the word "cone biopsy." But don't worry. This is a small, usually very safe procedure that checks for cervical cancer and removes any abnormal cells. Today, we'll talk about it in a simple, easy-to-understand way.

Simply put, what is a cone biopsy?

A cone biopsy is a minor surgical procedure that removes a small piece of abnormal tissue from your cervix, the lower part of your uterus that connects to your vagina.

This procedure is called a "cone" biopsy because the tissue sample the doctor removes from the cervix is ​​shaped like a cone. This cone-shaped incision allows the doctor to examine not only the surface of the cervix, but also the deeper layers of cells. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope to determine if there are any cancer cells or abnormal cells that could turn into cancer ( cervical dysplasia ).

Why would a doctor suggest this surgery?

There are several reasons why a doctor might recommend a cone biopsy. The main reasons are:

• If your Pap smear results show abnormal cells that could develop into cervical cancer.
• If it is necessary to remove cancerous or precancerous cells in the cervix as a treatment .
• If you have very early stage cervical cancer (stage 0 or IA1) , remove it completely and cure it.
• Sometimes, other tests, such as colposcopy, are used to make an accurate diagnosis if the exact cause of these cell changes cannot be found.

How the surgery is performed and your preparation

How do you prepare before surgery?

This is usually done under general anesthesia, meaning you are completely asleep. Therefore, your doctor will advise you to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the procedure. You may also be asked to avoid having sex or inserting anything into your vagina in the days leading up to the procedure. It is very important to follow these instructions exactly.

What happens during surgery?

You don't feel any pain, because you are in a deep sleep.

1. First, you will be anesthetized and made to lie on a bed in a position similar to a Pap smear.

2. The doctor then inserts a device called a speculum to keep the vagina open.

3. Next, a device called a colposcope, which can be used to examine the cervix with great magnification, is used to identify the exact location of the abnormal cells.

4. Then, using a scalpel, the cone-shaped piece of tissue, along with some healthy tissue around it, is carefully cut out and removed.

5. To stop the bleeding, stitches or cauterization are used. Sometimes, you may also place something like gauze inside the vagina.

This entire process takes a very short time, about 15 minutes.

What to expect after surgery

You will be kept under observation in the hospital for a few hours after the surgery. You will be allowed to go home once your blood pressure, pulse, pain, and bleeding are normal.

After you go home, you may experience some mild stomach aches and pains, similar to those during periods, for a few days. You can take painkillers prescribed by your doctor for this. It is important to rest well for about a week .

It is normal to have a little bleeding or discharge from the vagina during this time. It may be red or pink at first, but may turn light brown after a few days. Use sanitary pads for this.

Your doctor will ask you to come back in about 4-6 weeks . At that time, they will check to see if your cervix has healed properly. After that, they will ask you to have a Pap test about every 6 months. After several reports come back normal, they will advise you to have a Pap test again as usual (for example, once a year).

What are the risks and side effects?

Although cone biopsy is a very safe procedure, like any surgery, there are some very small risks.

• Risks:
• Bleeding more than normal.
• Infection.
• Cervical stenosis, which can sometimes cause increased pain during menstruation or difficulty getting pregnant in the future.
• There is a very small increase in the risk of preterm labor in a future pregnancy.
• Very rarely, damage to the bladder or rectum occurs.

• Possible side effects:
• Stomach cramps, like during menstruation.
• Minor pain or discomfort.
• Vaginal bleeding or discharge for several days.

These side effects may be more noticeable in the first week, but they gradually decrease over time.

What does the report say?

You will receive the report from your tissue sample examination in about a week.

• Normal result: This means that no cancer or pre-cancerous cells were found in the cervix.
• Abnormal result: This means that pre-cancerous or cancerous cells were found. This pre-cancerous condition is called Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) . It is divided into 3 stages depending on the severity of the abnormal cells.
• CIN I: Minor changes. These rarely turn into cancer.
• CIN II: Moderate level of changes.
• CIN III: Serious changes. These have a high chance of turning into cancer if left untreated.

If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately!

If you experience any of the following symptoms while at home after surgery, call your doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).

• Fever (101°F or higher).
• Chills, shivering, difficulty breathing.
• Swelling or severe pain in the legs (this could be a sign of a blood clot).
• Bleeding so heavy that you have to change a sanitary pad every two hours .
• Even after taking painkillers, the pain is unbearable.
• Vaginal discharge with a foul odor.

Cone Biopsy, cervical cancer, Pap smear, cervical dysplasia, conization, CIN, cervix, gynecology, surgery