At Stanford Health Care, our team cares for all people with anogenital dysplasia with the highest level of compassion. Our team is skilled in advanced procedures to treat dysplasia while helping you feel at ease.
Overview
What is anogenital dysplasia?
Dysplasia means abnormal growth or development. Anogenital dysplasia is a condition in which some cells of the anus or genitals change. These cells are not cancerous but could be precancerous, with the potential to develop into cancer over time.
How does anogenital dysplasia develop?
Many cases of anogenital dysplasia and some other genital diseases are linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Most adults get HPV at some point in their lives. People with HPV often don’t know they have the virus unless they have a wart or an abnormal Pap smear with an HPV test.
Connect to Care
Let us help find personalized care options for you and your family.
Anogenital Dysplasia Symptoms
Most people with anogenital dysplasia have no symptoms. Symptoms affecting the anus or genitals can include:
- Abnormal discharge
- Bleeding
- Itching
- Lump or small growth
- Persistent pain that lasts longer than three to four weeks
Anogenital Dysplasia Risk Factors
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing anogenital dysplasia. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop it. Some people with no risk factors develop anogenital dysplasia.
You may have an elevated risk of anogenital dysplasia if you have:
- HPV that you contracted in your genital or anal area
- A pap smear (cytology) that reveals abnormal results
- A weak immune system, as a result of having the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other autoimmune conditions. Certain medications that weaken the immune system can also increase your risk.
- Personal history of anogenital warts
- Personal history of anal cancer, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, or vulvar cancer
Other risk factors for anogenital dysplasia are:
- Having sex without a barrier method, such as a condom
- Having multiple sexual partners
- Smoking
- Being a man who has sex with men
- Being a transgender woman
Anogenital Dysplasia Types
Types of anogenital dysplasia include:
- Anal dysplasia affects the anus, the opening at the end of the digestive tract.
- Cervical dysplasia impacts the cervix, which is the lower neck of the uterus.
- Penile dysplasia occurs in the penis, the organ that transfers sperm and urine.
- Scrotal dysplasia affects the scrotum, the skin pouch containing the testicles.
- Vaginal dysplasia occurs in the vagina, also called the birth canal, the channel between the vulva and cervix.
- Vulvar dysplasia affects the vulva, the external portion of female genitalia.
Anogenital Dysplasia Grades
Doctors categorize cases of anogenital dysplasia into two different grades:
- Low-grade anogenital dysplasia: This type of dysplasia often leaves the body on its own and is unlikely to turn into cancer. Anogenital warts are a type of low-grade anogenital dysplasia.
- High-grade anogenital dysplasia: These abnormal cells are unlikely to resolve without treatment and have the potential to develop into cancer over time.
Preventing Anogenital Dysplasia
The best way to prevent anogenital dysplasia is to reduce your risk of getting HPV. Measures to avoid HPV include:
- Getting the HPV vaccine: Vaccination is the primary way to avoid HPV infection.
- Abstaining or having safer sex: Not having sex or using a barrier method, such as a condom, during sex helps prevent HPV.
- Getting regular cervical cancer screening tests: If a Pap test detects abnormal cells or HPV test is abnormal, you may need additional testing. Early knowledge that you have HPV gives us a better chance to successfully treat HPV-related conditions such as anogenital dysplasia.
- Quitting smoking: Smoking can make HPV linger in the body. If you don’t smoke, there’s a better chance that the virus will leave your body on its own.
Diagnostic Tests for Anogenital Dysplasia
Your doctor will do a thorough medical examination to learn about your medical history and lifestyle habits. They will also examine any anogenital warts or areas of concern.
Your doctor may recommend you have additional tests, including:
A Pap smear detects abnormal changes in anal or genital cells, which may indicate HPV. An HPV test detects HPV, which can lead to anogenital dysplasia.
This procedure uses a colposcope (a high resolution microscope with a light and magnifying lenses) to examine the vulva, vagina, and cervix.
Similar to a colposcopy, this procedure allows your doctor to examine the anus using an anoscope and a high-resolution microscope (a hollow tube with lights and a high-resolution microscope).
During a colposcopy or high-resolution anoscopy, your doctor may remove some tissue samples. A pathologist looks at the tissues under a microscope to determine if the cells are normal or abnormal.
Anogenital Dysplasia
Anogenital dysplasia occurs when cells around the anus or genitals change, usually due to HPV. The abnormal cells aren’t cancerous but could be over time.
Anogenital dysplasia
genital warts
human papillomavirus
HPV
anal dysplasia
cervical dysplasia
dysplasia
vulvar dysplasia
vaginal dysplasia