Service

Abnormal Pap tests and Escharotic therapy

Pap tests are used as a screen for cervical cancer. A sample of the cells of the cervix is collected and analyzed for the presence of normal or abnormal cells. Precancerous cells of the cervix are called squamous intraepithelial lesions, and can be low-grade (LSIL), or high-grade (HSIL). These terms replace the previously used terms: mild, moderate, or severe dysplasia, koilocytotic effect, CIN 1, CIN 2, CIN 3, and carcinoma in situ. In Canada, about 5% of Pap tests are abnormal.

Escharotic therapy is a topical treatment to the cervix used to remove abnormal cells. Additionally, at IHC we integrate this treatment with the use of water filtered infra-red light, known as Hydrosun, and evidence-based oral supplementation.

The clinical results that we have seen using these protocols have been fantastic, with dramatic reduction of LSIL and HSIL. With proper medical supervision, escharotic therapies have been used safely for many years with good benefit. A typical course of treatment is weekly topical application of herbal and mineral solutions for a duration of 10 weeks. This will vary depending on the severity of the cervical lesions, and response to treatment.

This treatment is not intended to replace current screening or clinical recommendations, however it is to be used as a complementary therapy to reduce the occurrence of repeat positive colposcopy and reducing the need for further surgical management of cervical dysplasia.

The following is a summary of a case report that was done on a woman who underwent escharotic treatment and was followed for 5 years after:

Integr Cancer Ther. 2009 Jun;8(2):164-7. An alternative treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II, III.
Swanick S1, Windstar-Hamlin K, Zwickey H.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This report describes a case of a woman with progressive and recurrent cervical dysplasia 4 years after cervical conization for severe dysplasia.

PATIENT AND METHODS:

A 20-year-old female was referred for colposcopy and biopsy following results of moderate to severe atypia of cervical cells on her Papanicolaou (Pap) test. Her colposcopy was satisfactory and her biopsy revealed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II, III. She refused the conventional recommendation of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and, as an alternative, elected to receive escharotic treatment at a frequency of 2 treatments per week for 5 weeks. In addition to the escharotic treatment she followed an oral vitamin and botanical protocol. She was followed for 5 years.

RESULTS:

The patient’s 4-month and 10-month follow-up Pap smears revealed negative cervical cytology for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy. Her 10-month colposcopy was satisfactory and no lesions were noted on the colposcopic exam. Liquid based Pap results continued to remain normal for 5 years after the initiation of treatment.

DISCUSSION:

Escharotic treatment of high-grade cervical neoplasias with satisfactory colposcopy holds promise as an effective and low-risk alternative therapy to LEEP and other excisional procedures.
PMID: 19679625 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]