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Medical Definition of Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
1. A term which describes precancerous changes to the epithelial cells lining the cervix. The diagnosis is made from the microscopic examination of a PAP smear acquired tissue specimen. Less than 5% of all PAP smears will show cervical dysplasia. The peak incidence is in women 25 to 35 years of age. Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, early onset of sexual activity (less than 18), early childbearing (less than 16) and past medical history of a sexually transmitted disease (for example genital warts, genital herpes, HIV infection). Treatment is based on the degree of dysplasia present, as judged by a pathologist. Treatments include cryotherapy and conisation. Origin: Gr. Plassein = to form (27 Sep 1997)