LEEP, also called LLETZ, removes the area of the cervix where abnormal cells have been found, using a thin wire loop heated by electrical current. It is the most common treatment for high-grade cervical precancer (CIN 2 and CIN 3) found after an abnormal smear or HPV test.
It removes the abnormal tissue in one piece so that a pathologist can check it and confirm the margins are clear. It does not clear the HPV virus itself and it is not a treatment for established invasive cancer, which needs a different plan.
What LEEP (Loop Excision of the Cervix, LLETZ) involves
You lie as for a smear test. The doctor inserts a speculum and looks at the cervix through a colposcope, applying acetic acid and iodine solutions that highlight abnormal areas. Local anaesthetic is injected into the cervix. A wire loop sized to the lesion is passed through the transformation zone, removing a shallow disc of tissue, usually 7 to 10 mm deep. A ball electrode then seals the raw surface to control bleeding, and a paste may be applied. The specimen goes to pathology to grade the change and check the edges.
Who is a good candidate for LEEP (Loop Excision of the Cervix, LLETZ)?
It is offered after colposcopy and biopsy have shown changes that are unlikely to clear on their own.
- Biopsy-proven CIN 2 or CIN 3
- Persistent low-grade changes that have not resolved over 1 to 2 years
- A discrepancy between smear and biopsy that needs a larger sample
- Abnormal cells extending into the cervical canal where they cannot be fully seen
It is usually not the right choice if:
- Pregnancy, unless invasive cancer is suspected
- Low-grade changes (CIN 1) in younger women, which usually clear without treatment
- Suspected invasive cancer, where a cone biopsy and staging are needed instead
- Active pelvic or cervical infection, which is treated first
الخيارات التقنية
- LEEP or LLETZ under local anaesthetic: The usual method. Done in a clinic room in a few minutes.
- Cold knife cone biopsy: A deeper, scalpel excision under general anaesthetic, used for glandular abnormalities or suspected early cancer.
- Laser excision or ablation: Alternatives in some centres. Ablation destroys tissue without providing a specimen, so it is used selectively.
ماذا يحدث خلال علاجك
The procedure takes 10 to 20 minutes and the loop excision itself under a minute. The anaesthetic injection can cause a brief cramp and a racing heart from the adrenaline in it. You may notice a humming noise and a burning smell. General anaesthetic is used only for large lesions or if you cannot tolerate a speculum examination.
الإعداد لرحلتك
Plan for 3 to 5 days in Istanbul. Your surgeon reviews photographs and your medical history before you book, and you meet in person the day before surgery for examination, marking and consent with a professional interpreter.
- Stop smoking and nicotine at least four weeks before and after surgery; it is the single biggest avoidable cause of wound problems
- Tell the team about every medicine and supplement you take; blood thinners, some herbal products and hormone treatment may need to be paused on your doctor's advice
- Arrange for someone to travel with you or to be reachable, and keep the first days at home free of work and lifting
- Book a changeable return flight; your surgeon confirms when you are fit to fly
التعافي والنتائج
Period-like cramps ease within a day. A watery, brown or blood-stained discharge lasts 2 to 4 weeks. Avoid tampons, sex, swimming and heavy exercise for 4 weeks to lower the risk of bleeding and infection. Flying home after a few days is reasonable, but heavy bleeding can start around day 10, so know where you would seek care. Pathology results take about 1 to 2 weeks. A test of cure, with HPV testing and a smear, follows at about 6 months.
- Back to everyday activity: 1 to 2 days, restrictions for 4 weeks
- When results show: Pathology in 1 to 2 weeks
- How long they last: About 9 in 10 need no further treatment
سياسة السلامة والمخاطر والتنقيح
Most women heal without problems, but a few points matter, especially if you plan a pregnancy.
- Bleeding, sometimes delayed 1 to 2 weeks, occasionally needing treatment
- Infection with offensive discharge, fever or pain
- Incomplete removal or recurrence requiring a second treatment
- A small increase in the risk of preterm birth in later pregnancies, greater with deep or repeated excisions
- Narrowing of the cervical canal (stenosis), which can affect periods or future smears
Every written proposal arranged through Clinic-Y states what the clinic covers if a correction is needed. Ask for it before you book, not after.
Cost of LEEP (Loop Excision of the Cervix, LLETZ) in Türkiye
Clinic-Y does not publish a single price for LEEP (Loop Excision of the Cervix, LLETZ), because the honest figure depends on your case. What moves it:
- Local or general anaesthetic
- Whether colposcopy and biopsy must be repeated first
- Pathology examination of the specimen
- Follow-up HPV and cytology tests
Send your photographs or reports and you receive written, all-inclusive proposals from suitable teams, side by side. Reviewing your case is free.
الأسئلة المتكررة
Will LEEP affect my fertility?
It does not reduce your chance of conceiving. A single shallow excision raises the risk of preterm birth only slightly. Tell your obstetrician you have had one.
Does it get rid of HPV?
Not directly, but most women test HPV negative within 6 to 12 months once the abnormal tissue has gone.
Do I need to travel for this?
Usually not. It is a short procedure that is widely available, and follow-up at 6 months matters. It can make sense if you lack access at home or are travelling for other gynaecological care.
What if the margins are not clear?
Many women still clear the abnormality. Your doctor may suggest close follow-up or a repeat excision depending on your age, the grade and your plans for pregnancy.