Colposcopy and vulvoscopy
What we do
We are a specialist service for examining women who have problems affecting the vulva or cervix. We do this with a specially designed medical microscope called a colposcope.
Colposcopy
A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix. We see women who have had abnormal smear test results, as well as those who have signs and symptoms of pre-cancerous changes to their cervix.
If your smear test results show abnormalities, you should not be alarmed. It is very rare for an abnormal smear to show cancer, however it can be an early warning sign that cancer might occur in the future.
We provide treatments under local anaesthetic to remove or destroy the abnormal area. Not all women will need treatment as some abnormalities return to normal without any intervention but it is very important that we see you regularly until this happens.
Vulvoscopy
A vulvoscopy is an examination of the vulva. We examine women who have abnormalities on the vulval skin surrounding the vagina as well as those who have signs and symptoms of pre-cancerous changes to their vulva.
If your vulvoscopy shows abnormalities, you should not be alarmed. It is very rare to be diagnosed with vulval cancer, however these abnormalities can be an early warning sign that cancer might occur in the future.
We may need to take one or two samples of vulval tissue (vulval biopsy) under local anaesthetic to investigate the abnormal area. Not all women will need treatment as some abnormalities return to normal without any intervention but it is very important that we see you regularly until this happens.
Location
Suite 8, Third Floor, Golden Jubilee Wing, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS
Contact Details
- Team Co-ordinator: 020 3299 3651
- Team Office: 020 3299 2864
Conditions we treat
Colposcopy
Refer women for colposcopy if they have:
- three inadequate smears
- one borderline smear with high risk HPV detected
- one mildly abnormal smear with high risk HPV detected
- one moderately abnormal smear
- one severely abnormal smear
- one smear with possible invasion
- one smear with possible glandular neoplasia
- a low grade smear after treatment for CIN with high risk HPV detected
- one normal smear with high risk HPV detected after treatment.
Vulvoscopy
Refer women for vulvoscopy if they have:
- an abnormal appearance of the vulva, including asymmetry, lesions, irregularity, warts
- vulval itching, irritation or pain, including vulvodynia
- bleeding or discharge from the vulva
- lichen sclerosis or planus
- vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)
- Paget’s disease.
What is required before referring a patient
Please complete the relevant form and note any pre-consultation investigations required.
Booking a patient at King’s
Routine Referrals
Appointments for this service are either made:
- via the Colposcopy and Vulvoscopy Office
- or as a direct referral from the cervical screening service.
For routine referrals, please complete the referral form below and email to:
[email protected]
Emergency Referrals
For suspected cancer use the urgent suspected cancer referral pathway.
Other Queries
For advice and guidance on routine and urgent referrals, phone 020 3299 2864.
Referral forms
| Title | File Size | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Colposcopy referral form – King’s College Hospital | 230 KB |
Key Clinical Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mx Iohana Lepsa | Colposcopy Nurse |