If a colposcopy reveals the presence of abnormal cells, additional procedures may be performed to confirm the type of abnormality. These include:

• Biopsy. A sample of tissue or several samples may be removed to be sent to a laboratory for analysis by a pathologist.
  
  
• Endocervical curettage. A procedure in which the mucous membrane of the cervical canal is scraped using a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette. A sample of cells is obtained and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Endocervical curettage is a valuable way to examine parts of the cervix that cannot be visualized.
  
  
• Cone biopsy. Often used if either a standard biopsy or endocervical curettage indicates a problem that requires further investigation. In this procedure, a conical section of tissue is removed from the area around the opening of the cervical canal. A cone biopsy can also be used to remove suspect tissue.
  
  
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). The suspicious tissue is removed with an instrument called a loop device. The remaining tissue is then cauterized. The sample that has been removed is sent to a laboratory for analysis.