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Ioannis Raptis MIC II, DEGUM I, AGUB I

Obstetrician – Gynecologist

Ioannis K. Raptis served as Head of the Cervical Dysplasia and Colposcopy Center at the academic hospital Agaplesion Allgemeines Krankenhaus Hagen, Germany. He is also a certified physician for performing colposcopy and treating cervical dysplasia by the German Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (AGCPC).

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Pap Test (ThinPrep) – HPV Test (Cobas) – Colposcopy

The Pap Test (ThinPrep), the HPV Test (Cobas), and colposcopy are three different examinations with a common goal: the detection of lesions (dysplasia, precancerous changes) on the surface of the cervix, many years before they may lead to the development of cancer.

In this way, early and complete treatment of these abnormalities becomes possible, with minimal burden for the patient.

What is ThinPrep?

ThinPrep is the commercial name of the Liquid-Based Cytology test, which represents the advanced form of the Pap test.

In order to perform this test, the gynecologist collects cells from the surface of the cervix using a special brush. The collected material is then examined under a microscope by a specialized cytologist to draw conclusions.

The difference compared to the conventional Pap test lies in the fact that the brush is not partially examined. Instead, it is placed entirely into a vial containing a special preservative liquid. This allows the full cellular sample to be analyzed, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the method.

The examination is not diagnostic on its own but raises a strong suspicion of the presence of a lesion.

What is the HPV Test (Cobas)?

To understand the value of the HPV test, it is important to know that the vast majority of cervical lesions that lead to cancer are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

The test is strictly recommended from the age of 25–30 onwards and aims to increase the sensitivity of detecting precancerous lesions. The same sample and collection method used for the Pap test are applied. However, in this case, a molecular analysis is performed to detect HPV DNA and therefore confirm the presence of the virus on the surface of the cervix.

The test detects 99% of women with cervical dysplasia. Nevertheless, a positive HPV test should not immediately cause concern. It is well established that most women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but only a very small percentage of them will develop high-grade precancerous cervical lesions.

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What is colposcopy?

Colposcopy is a specialized examination performed by a trained physician following a positive Pap test or HPV test. During the procedure, a special camera (colposcope) is positioned close to—but outside—the vagina, allowing a magnified view of the cervical surface. A specific solution is applied to the cervix to better highlight any suspicious areas.

This enables the doctor to identify and assess lesions that may have caused the abnormal screening result and that are not visible to the naked eye.

If there is a strong suspicion of high-grade lesions during the examination, a completely painless biopsy sample is taken at the same time in order to confirm or rule out the diagnosis.

What preparation is required before undergoing a Pap Test (ThinPrep), HPV Test (Cobas), or Colposcopy?

No special preparation is required before undergoing the above examinations, and there are no restrictions regarding the time before or after the tests. An exception applies in the case of a micro-biopsy, where avoidance of sexual intercourse is recommended for the following 3 days.

Finally, the only prerequisite for reliable results is that the examination should not be performed during menstruation.

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Why should a woman trust Ioannis Raptis for examinations related to cervical dysplasia?

  • Ioannis Raptis served as Head of the Cervical Dysplasia and Colposcopy Unit at the academic hospital Agaplesion Allgemeines Krankenhaus Hagen, Germany.
  • He is a certified physician for performing colposcopy and treating cervical dysplasia by the German Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (AGCPC).
  • At our practice, we always perform Liquid-Based Cytology (ThinPrep) as well as the certified HPV test – Cobas, ensuring maximum diagnostic accuracy.
  • Colposcopy is carried out using a state-of-the-art German colposcope (Atmos LED Kolposkop i View 31).

MEDIA

According to the scientific guidelines
of the German Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

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