Colposcopy is a much sensitive method compared to cytology, especially in the higher grade lesion of squamous epithelium and plays an important role in down staging of cervical cancer.

An important reason for the sharply higher cervical cancer incidence in developing countries is the lack of effective screening programs aimed at detecting and treating pre-cancerous conditions.

Colposcopy also can be used to detect inflammatory or infectious changes, harmless or cancerous growths, and traumatic injuries to the cervix, vagina, and vulva.

Indications

• Cervical cancer
• Used as a follow–up procedure to give a magnified view of an abnormal area seen during an earlier gynecological examination.
• During colposcopy, a biopsy of the cervix can be taken.