The Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is a common treatment recommended after a screening test reveals precancerous changes on the cervix. This procedure addresses the abnormal cells caused by an infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Many patients wonder if the LEEP procedure removes the HPV infection itself. Understanding the distinction between treating the physical consequence and eliminating the underlying virus is important for long-term health management.
The Role of HPV in Cervical Cell Abnormality
The development of abnormal cervical cells begins with a persistent infection by high-risk types of the Human Papillomavirus. HPV is a highly common sexually transmitted infection, and most people will contract a strain at some point in their lives. While the immune system typically clears the virus naturally, certain oncogenic types, such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, can linger and cause cellular changes.
When the high-risk virus remains active in the cells of the cervix, it can lead to precancerous lesions known as Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). The severity of these changes is graded, with high-grade lesions (CIN 2 or CIN 3) indicating a significant risk of progression to cervical cancer if left unmanaged. LEEP is recommended as a targeted intervention to remove these specific precancerous cells before they become invasive.
How the LEEP Procedure Works
The Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure is a minimally invasive surgical technique performed to remove abnormal tissue on the cervix. During the procedure, the healthcare provider uses a thin wire loop that is heated by an electric current. This electrified loop acts like a precise scalpel, allowing the provider to quickly cut away a thin layer of the affected cervical tissue.
The immediate goal is to excise the entire area where the precancerous cells are located, a section often referred to as the transformation zone. The removed tissue is then sent to a laboratory for microscopic evaluation to ensure that the margins, or edges, of the sample are clear of disease. By removing the abnormal cells, the LEEP procedure successfully treats the lesion and prevents cervical cancer from developing. The procedure itself typically takes only about ten minutes.
The Distinction Between Removing Tissue and Eliminating the Virus
It is important to understand that the LEEP procedure treats the effect of the viral infection but does not eliminate the virus itself from the body. LEEP is a surgical management method designed to physically remove the precancerous cells that the virus has created. The virus resides in the epithelial cells and may still be present in surrounding, non-excised healthy tissue.
A LEEP procedure is not an antiviral cure and cannot guarantee that the entire HPV infection is eradicated. The treatment is highly effective at removing the bulk of the disease, which is the necessary step to prevent cancer. However, the continued presence of the virus means there is a risk of recurrence or new lesions forming in the future. Follow-up monitoring remains a necessary component of care.
Monitoring and Immune System Clearance Post-Procedure
After the LEEP procedure removes the precancerous tissue, the body’s own immune response takes over the task of managing the remaining virus. Removing the large cluster of infected cells significantly reduces the viral load in the area, giving the immune system a much better chance to mount a successful response. Studies indicate that a large majority of patients will experience viral clearance in the months following the procedure, with high-risk HPV detection rates dropping significantly within six to twelve months.
Post-procedure monitoring is important for ensuring that the treatment was successful and that the remaining virus does not cause new problems. This surveillance typically involves co-testing, which combines a Pap smear to look for cell changes and an HPV test to check for the continued presence of the virus.
Follow-Up Testing Schedule
This follow-up testing often begins six months after the LEEP and may continue every six to twelve months for up to two years. If high-risk HPV persists despite the LEEP, the patient is at a higher risk for recurrent cell changes and requires a more frequent and prolonged follow-up schedule.