WHAT IS CONE BIOPSY & WHY IS IT DONE?

A cone biopsy is removal of a cone-shaped piece of the cervix. It is done both for diagnosis and for treatment, but in most cases a diagnostic cone may treat the problem at the same time.

Although laser and cryo are effective treatments for dysplasia, they are not suitable for invasive cancer. We must, therefore, be absolutely certain that it is not invasive cancer before treating with the LASER or with cryo. If we cannot positively rule out invasive cancer on the basis of colposcopy, then an excisional biopsy is mandatory. (This means that the transformation zone of the cervix is removed and examined rather than destroyed).

A cone biopsy may also be selected as treatment of dysplasia or carcinoma-in-situ. This treatment has a high success rate, but a "cold-cone" has a higher complication rate than a laser cone, cryo, or loop. In a small percentage of cases, a cone biopsy may interfere with childbearing. Many cases requiring cold cone biopsy in the past can be treated, with the laser or with the loop, with a lower chance of complications.  The incidence of cone biopsy is on the decline with easy availability of LASER and Cryo

WHY TREAT CERVICAL DYSPLASIA?

Dysplasia is not cancer, but it can turn into cancer if it is not treated. By proper treatment of dysplasia and by proper follow-up, we can significantly reduce the chances that cancer might develop