What does positive margins after LEEP mean?
Emily Cortez
Updated on February 20, 2026
A positive margin after LEEP (defined as a histopathological finding of CIN along the specimen margin regardless of the CIN grade) is a well-defined predictor of persistent/recurrent disease [4, 11, 12, 14].
What are the chances of getting cervical cancer after a LEEP?
Results. At 6 months after LEEP the overall HPV infection persistence rate was 40.9 %, at 12 months 20 % and at 18 months 11.8 %. Type 16 showed the highest persistence rate: 27.3 % at 6 months, 12.7 % at 12 months and 10 % at 18 months after LEEP.What do LEEP results show?
The purpose of a LEEP is to extract abnormal cells for further testing. The results will inform a doctor about whether a person has an underlying illness and what steps they should take next. A LEEP can help distinguish between precancerous cells and other abnormal cell types, such as polyps.Can you have a second LEEP procedure?
If the margins are positive, you may need a repeat procedure. In addition, six months following a LEEP, you'll have a follow-up appointment that includes Pap and HPV tests. In some cases, abnormal cells are found again. If this happens, you may require another LEEP.Does a LEEP procedure diagnose cancer?
LEEP may be done when cervical or vaginal problems are found during a pelvic exam, or abnormal cells are found during a Pap test. LEEP is also done to detect cancer of the cervix or vagina. Cells that appear to be abnormal, but are not yet cancerous, may be called precancerous.What is a Positive Margin After a Prostatectomy?
What is the next step after a LEEP procedure?
The most common next step after a LEEP procedure is to get a pap smear in six months. It is Really Important to get a follow-up pap smear, after the LEEP procedure.Why does HPV keep coming back?
There's no guarantee that genital warts won't grow back again because HPV changes the cells of your body in a way that makes them likely to grow. If you have high-risk HPV that sticks around or goes dormant and keeps coming back, that's when it becomes cancer causing (or what doctors call oncogenic).Can precancerous cells come back after LEEP?
LEEP works very well to treat abnormal cell changes on the cervix. If all of the abnormal tissue is removed, you won't need more surgery. In some studies, doctors were able to remove all the abnormal cells in almost every case. But abnormal cells may come back in the future.What happens if LEEP doesnt work?
If LEEP doesn't remove all of the abnormal cells, you may have to have LEEP again, or your doctor or nurse may recommend more tests or a different treatment.How successful are LEEP procedures?
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is a common treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), with success rates of 60 to 95 percent reported.Can HPV high risk go away?
High-risk HPV typesInfection with HPV is very common. In most people, the body is able to clear the infection on its own. But sometimes, the infection doesn't go away. Chronic, or long-lasting infection, especially when it's caused by certain high-risk HPV types, can cause cancer over time.