Precancerous cervical cancer cells (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-CIN stage 3) are cells that show an anomaly that still cannot classify them as cancerous, but would eventually turn into one. Depending on the depth of the mucosal layer affected, there are three stages of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

What is very important is that these cells are still in the mucosa, not entering the submucosal tissue. Since the mucosa itself does not have blood vessels, the chance for metastasis is excluded. This gives the patient plenty of time for detection and treatment, before the cells turn into real cancerous cells.

The detection is usually with a PAP smear on regular check-ups by a gynecologist. The results might indicate additional tests like a colposcopy or biopsy. Once CIN is detected, the gynecologist might want to wait for a few months if stages 1 or 2 are detected, since the cells might disappear due to a good immune system. In stage 3, usually treatment is recommended without delay. Treatment options include: conization, cryocautery, electrocautery, and laser cautery.


CIN does not affect pregnancy or the baby, since it is not cancerous tissue yet. However, the hormones in pregnancy might speed up the advancment from precancerous to cancerous cells. In other circumstances, it might take CIN up to 15 years to turn into cancerous cells depending on the stage.


You might want to have more frequent pap smears or a colposcopy to check whether the CIN stage 3 has evolved into cervical cancer. The frequency of these check-ups might be best determined by your gynecologist whom you should consult.