Cervical biopsy
A cervical biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of the cervix so the tissue can be examined under a microscope. A cervical biopsy is usually done to investigate areas of abnormal tissue found during a Pap test, HPV test, or colposcopy.
The amount of cervical tissue removed depends on the method used.
- A simple cervical biopsy, sometimes called a punch biopsy, removes a small piece of tissue from the surface of the cervix.
- An endocervical biopsy (endocervical curettage) removes tissue from high in the cervical canal by using a brush or scraping with an instrument.
- An excisional biopsy of the cervix is a more extensive form of a cervical biopsy that removes a cone-shaped wedge of tissue from the cervix.
What do the results of a colposcopy mean?
Your doctor will talk to you about what they see at the time of the test. If you had a biopsy, getting your lab results may take several days or more.
Normal: | The vinegar or iodine does not show any areas of abnormal tissue. The vagina and cervix look normal. |
|---|---|
| A biopsy sample does not show any abnormal cells. | |
Abnormal: | The vinegar or iodine shows areas of abnormal tissue. Sores or other problems, such as genital warts or an infection, are found in or around the vagina or cervix. |
| Results may show minor or serious changes to the cells on your cervix. Minor changes may go away on their own. You may need more testing. And your doctor may recommend treatment to remove the abnormal cells. |
©2011-2026 Healthwise, Incorporated