A loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is used to remove abnormal cervical tissue. Following the procedure, the removed tissue is examined by a pathologist. If the pathology report indicates cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN 3) with involved margins, it means that the most severe form of precancerous cervical changes was present, and some abnormal cells may have remained at the edges of the excised tissue.
The presence of involved margins after a LEEP procedure for CIN 3 is significant because it raises the risk of the precancerous changes persisting or recurring. This finding informs subsequent management decisions, such as the need for closer surveillance, repeat LEEP, or other treatment modalities. Understanding the implications of this pathology report is vital for both clinicians and patients to ensure appropriate follow-up care and minimize the risk of cervical cancer development. The ability to detect and treat precancerous lesions like CIN 3 has significantly contributed to the decline in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in recent decades.
