In many cases, abnormal cells changes in the cervix resolve without any treatment. In other cases, some form of follow–up diagnosis or treatment may be necessary. These include:

• Colposcopy exam. An instrument resembling a microscope called a colposcope may be used to examine the vagina and cervix. During the examination, a dilute vinegar solution may be applied to the cervix. Abnormal areas will turn white and under magnification blood vessels and cells acquire certain characteristics as they become abnormal. The physician may also perform a biopsy of these abnormal areas during this procedure.
  
  
• Imaging test. Immediately following a colposcopy exam, physicians may now use a new imaging device to determine whether there are other areas of the cervix that need to be biopsied. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in March 2006, the LUMA Cervical Imaging System shines a light on the cervix and analyzes how the areas of the cervix respond to the light. Based on the response, the LUMA system assigns a score to small areas of the cervix and produces a color map of the surface. The score and color map can help physicians distinguish between healthy tissue and potentially cancerous tissue. With the score and color map, physicians can determine where to perform biopsies on the cervix. It should be noted that the LUMA system is meant to supplement – and not replace – the colposcopy exam. Physicians will perform the cervical biopsies only after reviewing the information from both the colposcopy and LUMA exams.
  
  
• Estrogen cream. Women who have atypical squamous cells (ASC) and are in or near menopause may be experiencing cell changes as a result of low hormone levels. These women may be given an estrogen cream to see if this reverses the abnormalities.
  
  
• Endocervical curettage. A procedure in which the mucous membrane of the cervical canal is scraped using a spoon–shaped instrument called a curette. The sample that is obtained is sent to a laboratory for analysis. In the event of an abnormality, this analysis will determine if it has spread beyond the cervix.