what does koilocytosis mean

What is Koilocytosis?

Koilocytosis is a pathological condition in which there is a change at the cell level in the epithelial cells which line the cervix due to some medical condition. With Koilocytosis, there is significant enlargement of the nuclei of the cells and they can grow up to three times their original size. These nuclei may become very dark and are stained easily and hence can be easily visible on scans. This trait is also known as hyperchromasia. Additionally, these nuclei appear to be surrounded by halos. The presence of these halos virtually pinpoints the presence of Koilocytosis.

How is Koilocytosis Diagnosed?

Once Koilocytosis is suspected, then additional studies in the form of MRI and CT scans of the abdominal area with attention to the cervix is done to look at the cell structure and see if there is any darkening of the nuclei. If there is darkening of the nuclei with clearly visible halos surrounding the nuclei then the diagnosis of Koilocytosis is more or less confirmed.

What is the procedure called when you cut out a tissue?

When it comes to surgical approaches towards treatment of Koilocytosis and other related HPV infections which can cause cancer, the preferred procedure is called the cryosurgery in which the abnormal tissues are cut out or eliminated by freezing them by way of electric currents or laser beams.

Why is kilocytosis a concern?

Koilocytosis caused due to HPV virus is a cause of concern due to its relationship with cancerous growths and the need for much aggressive treatment. These treatments can be done both surgically as well as through medicinal approaches. The treatment is aimed at eliminating these abnormal tissues causing overgrowth of abnormal cells. If this is not done then the chances of the patient going on to develop cancer becomes much more.

Can a colonscopy be done to check for kilocytosis?

Additionally, a colonscopy may be also done to visualize the cervix to look for any abnormalities. A biopsy of the affected cells may also be taken to look for any signs of malignancies. These studies virtually confirm the diagnosis of Koilocytosis.

Does kilocytosis cause cervical cancer?

Koilocytosis may themselves not produce any significant symptom but is considered to be a precursor for cervical cancer in females and hence if a female has a diagnosis of Koilocytosis with abnormal Pap smear tests then that female needs aggressive monitoring and constant screenings to look for presence of any cervical cancer.

What is koilocytosis in HPV?

Your results may include the words ‘koilocytosis’ or ‘koilocytotic atypia’. These may sound a bit scary, but it’s simply a way to describe cells that develop if someone has human papillomavirus (HPV). Koilocytosis is usually seen in cervical tissue samples that have abnormal cell growth.

What is kilocytosis in cervical tissue?

Koilocytosis is usually seen in cervical tissue samples that have abnormal cell growth. This abnormal cell growth is also called dyskaryosis. So seeing these words is just an indication to watch for cell changes.

What do my colposcopy results mean?

Your colposcopy results tell you what your colposcopist saw during your appointment and , if you had one, what your biopsy showed.

What does it mean when a colposcopy results are abnormal?

About 6 in 10 colposcopy results are abnormal. This means the tests done during colposcopy or biopsy have confirmed you have cell changes.

What is koilocytosis in cytology?

Koilocytosis or koilocytic atypia or koilocytotic atypia are terms used in histology and cytology to describe the presence of koilocytes in a specimen. Koilocytes may have the following cellular changes: Nuclear enlargement (two to three times normal size). Irregularity of the nuclear membrane contour, creating a wrinkled or raisinoid appearance.

What are the atypical features of koilocytosis?

The atypical features seen in cells displaying koilocytosis result from the action of the E5 and E6 oncoproteins produced by HPV. These proteins break down keratin in HPV-infected cells, resulting in the perinuclear halo and nuclear enlargement typical of koilocytes. The E6 oncoprotein, along with E7, is also responsible for the dysregulation of the cell cycle that results in squamous cell dysplasia. The E6 and E7 oncoproteins do this by binding and inhibiting the tumor suppressor genes p53 and RB, respectively. This promotes progression of cells through the cell cycle without appropriate repair of DNA damage, resulting in dysplasia. Due to the ability of HPV to cause cellular dysplasia, koilocytes are found in a number of potentially precancerous lesions.

Why are koilocytes found in precancerous lesions?

This promotes progression of cells through the cell cycle without appropriate repair of DNA damage, resulting in dysplasia. Due to the ability of HPV to cause cellular dysplasia, koilocytes are found in a number of potentially precancerous lesions.

How to visualize koilocytes?

In order to visualize koilocytes collected from the cervix, the tissue is stained with the Papanicolaou stain. Another way koilocytes can be visualized is by fixation of tissue with formalin and staining with hematoxylin and eosin, commonly known as H&E. These stains give the cytoplasm and nuclei of cells characteristic colors and allows for visualization of the nuclear enlargement and irregularity, hyperchromasia, and perinuclear halo that are typical of koilocytes.