What happens if precancerous cells are found?

Precancerous cells may or may not turn into cancer over time. Because those cells are abnormal, it's important to have them monitored or sometimes removed to help reduce your risk of cancer down the road.


How serious are precancerous cells?

Often, precancerous lesions are not invasive and a person will not develop cancer. In some cases these precancerous cells, if left alone, may go on to become “invasive” cancer cells. Sometimes, it may take these cells a few years, or even decades to progress.

Should I be worried about pre cancerous cells?

The takeaway is that a precancerous condition doesn't mean a person has or will get cancer. It simply means a person has an increased risk of cancer, which should serve as a reminder for them to stay current with medical visits and screening tests, and communicate concerns or changes to their health care providers.


Does precancerous mean you have cancer?

A term used to describe a condition that may (or is likely to) become cancer.

What does it mean if you have precancerous cells?

Precancerous conditions of the cervix are changes to cervical cells that make them more likely to develop into cancer. These conditions are not yet cancer. But if they aren't treated, there is a chance that these abnormal changes may become cervical cancer.


Ask Dr K: What is the Difference Between Precancer and Cancer



Do precancerous cells need to be removed?

Precancerous cells may or may not turn into cancer over time. Because those cells are abnormal, it's important to have them monitored or sometimes removed to help reduce your risk of cancer down the road.

How do you treat pre cancerous cells?

Treatments for precancerous lesions include excision (surgical removal of the abnormal area, also referred to as a cone biopsy or conization, or loop electrosurgical excision procedure [LEEP]), cryosurgery (freezing), and laser (high-energy light).

How likely are precancerous cells to turn into cancer?

Not necessarily. Despite what's implied by the prefix, not all precancerous cells progress into cancer. Precancerous cells are abnormal cells that could undergo changes and turn into cancer cells as time goes by. In fact, most precancerous cells do not morph into invasive cancer cells.


What is the most common precancerous?

Some of the most common precancerous conditions include certain colon polyps, which can progress into colon cancer, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, which can progress into multiple myeloma or myelodysplastic syndrome. and cervical dysplasia, which can progress into cervical cancer.

What does Stage 3 precancerous cells mean?

Stage 3. Stage 3 means the cancer has spread from the cervix into the structures around it or into the lymph nodes in the pelvis or abdomen. Treatment is usually a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy).

Can stress cause precancerous cells?

Stress can speed up the spread of cancer throughout the body, especially in ovarian, breast and colorectal cancer. When the body becomes stressed, neurotransmitters like norepinephrine are released, which stimulate cancer cells.


Does everyone have precancerous cells?

No, we don't all have cancer cells in our bodies. Our bodies are constantly producing new cells, some of which have the potential to become cancerous. At any given moment, we may be producing cells that have damaged DNA, but that doesn't mean they're destined to become cancer.

Will precancerous cells come back?

Sometimes cell changes may come back and need further treatment. Having cell changes that come back does not mean you will definitely develop cervical cancer. If you have cell changes that have come back, it is important to speak to your colposcopy team about any questions and preferences you have for treatment.

Can you stop precancerous?

Treatment can prevent a precancerous skin growth from progressing to skin cancer. Some precancerous skin growths go on to become a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. There's no way for your dermatologist to know which ones will progress to skin cancer.


Is precancerous the same as benign?

The tumor doesn't contain cancerous cells. Premalignant or precancerous. It contains abnormal cells that have the potential to become cancerous.

How long does it take for precancerous cells to grow?

These aren't cancer cells, but cells that may turn cancerous if left untreated for many years. It takes 10-15 years for pre-cancer to progress to cancer. If you already have cancer cells, this would show up as malignancy.

Should I get a hysterectomy if I have precancerous cells?

If the precancerous disease is more extensive or involves adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and the woman has completed childbearing, a total hysterectomy may be recommended. During a total hysterectomy, the entire uterus (including the cervix) is removed.


What causes precancerous cells in Pap smear?

Cervical dysplasia is the abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix. Considered a precancerous condition, it is caused by a sexually transmitted infection with a common virus, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

What do precancerous cells on a Pap smear mean?

— Amanda, Louisiana. Finding a "precancerous" spot on your cervix at the time of a Pap smear was a flag for your doctor that you needed further testing to determine whether there was a high chance that you had, or might develop, a true cancer (invasive cancer) of the cervix.

How fast can precancerous cervical cells turn to cancer?

Cervical cancer usually develops over 10 or more years. There can be a long interval between being infected with HPV, the development of abnormal cells on the cervix and the development of cervical cancer.


Can a pap smear detect precancerous cells?

The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause cell changes on the cervix. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.

What are the stages of pre cervical cancer?

Stage Ib1: Primary tumor not greater than 4.0 cm in diameter. Stage Ib2: Primary tumor greater than 4.0 cm in diameter. Stage IIa cervical carcinoma: Spread into the upper two thirds of the vagina without parametrial invasion. Stage IIb cervical carcinoma: Extension into the parametrium but not into the pelvic sidewall.

What vitamins help with precancerous cells?

Vitamin D is one of the most studied supplements for cancer prevention and treatment right now. Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E , and beta-carotene contain antioxidants once thought to help prevent cancer.


What foods help precancerous cells?

Eat a healthy variety
  • Eat vegetables and fruits in a variety of colors.
  • Choose whole grains.
  • Include plant-based proteins.
  • Limit red meat.
  • Avoid processed meat.
  • Limit salt.
  • Limit alcohol.
  • Avoid sugary beverages and energy-dense foods.


Can a biopsy show precancerous cells?

A cervical biopsy may be done to find cancer or precancer cells on the cervix. Cells that appear to be abnormal, but are not yet cancerous, are called precancerous. These abnormal cells may be the first sign of cancer that may develop years later.