LGSIL, meaning “low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion,” is one possible result you may get after a cervical cancer screening called the Pap test or Pap smear. The LGSIL, also called LSIL, means mild cervical dysplasia is present. The cells of the cervix are showing slightly abnormal changes.

Cervical dysplasia is not cancer or even precancer, but rather an indication of abnormalities in cervical cells that suggest an increased risk of cancer. One study of 1,076 people with LGSIL results found just 8.3% developed a precancerous cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) condition.

This article explains what LGSIL means on a Pap smear and how it compares to HGSIL and other Pap test results. It presents follow-up tests and treatment that may be done following an LGSIL result.

LGSIL vs. HGSIL

LGSIL is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary risk factor for cervical cancer. HPV is easily transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Most people infected with HPV clear the virus spontaneously. For people whose immune systems cannot clear the virus, cervical cancer may occur.

LGSIL is only one of the possible interpretations of a Pap smear. HSIL, also known as HGSIL (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion), is typically more concerning.

It, too, is associated with chronic HPV infection. But where low-grade changes mean mild dysplasia and a gradual cancer risk, HGSIL has a greater likelihood of turning into cancer faster.

If not treated, the highly abnormal cells leading to an HGSIL result can progress to cancer, and grow and spread into nearby tissue.

Follow-Up Testing

If you receive a diagnosis of LGSIL, it’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider. Their recommendations on how to manage the results will differ according to factors that include:

Screening Recommendations

In 2020, the American Cancer Society updated screening guidelines for cervical cancer in people at average risk for the disease. They include:

  • Age
  • History from previous Pap smears
  • Results of an HPV test
  • Additional risks, such as a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis or the use of immunosuppressant drugs

If only a Pap smear was done, the next step may be to perform an HPV test. An HPV test looks for certain strains of HPV associated with cervical cancer.

For those under age 25 with an LGSIL result but negative HPV test and few risk factors, a repeat HPV test, a Pap, or both may be recommended in a year.

A lab can usually perform an HPV test on the same cells used on your initial Pap smear, that is, the Pap smear that came back as “abnormal” because of LGSIL.

For those over age 25, follow-up testing is based on their specific medical history. It can include:

  • Repeat Pap testing, HPV testing, or both in one or three years
  • HPV typing to check for types 16 and 18, which can lead to cervical cancer
  • Colposcopy, cervical biopsy, and/or endocervical sampling

A colposcopy may be recommended for some people diagnosed with LGSIL, including those who have a positive HPV test (especially if positive for HPV16 or HPV18). It also may be needed when HPV testing wasn’t done, or for people who are considered high-risk despite a negative HPV test.

For example, people with LGSIL who are immunosuppressed should proceed to colposcopy even if HPV testing is negative. For people with LGSIL results in pregnancy, a colposcopy may be be delayed until six weeks postpartum.

During the colposcopy, the healthcare provider may also do a cervical biopsy to remove small pieces of cervical tissue. Mild cramping may occur during a cervical biopsy, but it is relatively painless. The tissue samples are then sent to a lab for further examination.

LGSIL Results and High-Risk Conditions

LGSIL results are not typically something to worry about immediately, but people who have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer for other reasons may need earlier or further follow-up.

What Happens During Colposcopy?

A colposcopy is an in-office procedure that allows a healthcare provider to perform an in-depth examination of the cervix. When performing a colposcopy, your healthcare provider will use a lighted microscope called a colposcope, which magnifies the cervix so it can be better visualized.

Conditions considered to add to the higher risk include:

  • People who are living with HIV
  • People who have received a solid organ or stem cell transplant
  • People who are immunosuppressed, such as those taking medication for a rheumatoid disorder like lupus or for inflammatory bowel syndrome
  • People who were exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero (uncommon, and primarily older people)

Early testing and follow-up care may include annual Pap smears (for at least three years) starting one year after initiation of sexual intercourse. Colposcopy may be needed even with mild LGSIL changes on a Pap smear, in keeping with guidelines for people who are considered high-risk.

Treatment

With LGSIL results, it’s common to take a watch-and-wait approach. Healthcare providers took a more active approach to low-grade lesions in the past, but research has shown that the practice did nothing to reduce the risk of cancer.

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In fact, more aggressive care for people with LGSIL results was more likely to cause harm by exposing people to treatments they don’t need.

If the dysplasia progresses, as determined from findings of a colposcopy or biopsy, treatment may be needed to remove the lesion. This can usually be performed as an in-office procedure. Treatments include:

Since low-grade dysplasia usually resolves on its own, medical treatment may not be needed. However, Pap smears and/or colposcopies may be performed at regular intervals to monitor the dysplasia and ensure it doesn’t progress.

  • Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), a technique in which an electric current is sent through a wire loop to cauterize and remove abnormal cells
  • Cryotherapy, a technique used to destroy abnormal tissue through freezing
  • Cone biopsy, also known as conization, which involves the removal of a larger, cone-shaped sample of abnormal tissue
  • Laser therapy, using a tiny beam of amplified light to destroy abnormal cells

Treatment during pregnancy is not recommended, even for HGSIL (CIN2 or CIN3) due to the possibility of pregnancy-related complications. You may want to consider asking for a referral to a gynecologic oncologist if that’s the case.

Summary

LGSIL is an abnormal result from a Pap test that indicates that some cell changes are taking place. It isn’t cancer or precancer, but it’s something to be aware of and to watch. It’s often caused by HPV, and follow-up testing—whether it’s another Pap test, HPV test, or HPV typing—is important.

Depending on your individual history and any risk factors, your healthcare provider will talk with you about any next steps. Even if you don’t have cancer, it’s still important to be aware of any cell changes in your body and to identify abnormalities as early as possible with follow-up tests.

A Word From Verywell

An LGSIL Pap smear result is considered abnormal and requires further testing and possibly treatment. The cause will often clear up on its own, but regular checkups with your healthcare provider are crucial to ensure that any abnormal cells are not progressing to cervical cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the different types of abnormal Pap test results?
  • There are: ASC-US (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance), LGSIL, the more serious HGSIL, ASC-H (atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HGSIL), and AGC (atypical glandular cells, which raises concern for precancer or cancer).
  • Learn More:
  • What Do Your Pap Smear Results Mean?
  • Can LGSIL be a false positive?
  • Yes, there are times when a test indicates that a person has a specific disease or condition when they actually do not, which is why a repeat Pap may be done. At the time of the test, there may have been cervical inflammation or an infection that caused the LGSIL result. This is why many providers will wait and see, or do HPV testing.
  • How long does it take HPV to cause abnormal cells?
  • It can take years for abnormal cells to be made due to HPV. Cervical cancer is typically slow growing, which is why regular Pap smears need to be done, to catch cell changes in their early stages.
  • Learn More:
  • Does a Positive Test for HPV Mean You’ll Get Cervical Cancer?

There are: ASC-US (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance), LGSIL, the more serious HGSIL, ASC-H (atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HGSIL), and AGC (atypical glandular cells, which raises concern for precancer or cancer).

Yes, there are times when a test indicates that a person has a specific disease or condition when they actually do not, which is why a repeat Pap may be done. At the time of the test, there may have been cervical inflammation or an infection that caused the LGSIL result. This is why many providers will wait and see, or do HPV testing.

It can take years for abnormal cells to be made due to HPV. Cervical cancer is typically slow growing, which is why regular Pap smears need to be done, to catch cell changes in their early stages.