In some cases, anal warts caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) can transform and become abnormal. There are varying degrees of abnormality (or dysplasia) that can be detected. The degree of dysplasia can be given a grade. Cells that become abnormal like this are termed anal intra-epithelial neoplasia (AIN) by pathologists, and the grade of abnormality vary from low grade (AIN-1) to high grade (AIN-3). Although these changes are not always visible to the naked eye, a simple test can be perfromed to test for AIN, and Dr. Atallah does this in the office. For patients with AIN 2 and 3, very careful monitoring is indicated and for select patients, Dr. Atallah uses an operating microscope (as shown in the photograph below) and special reagents to identify AIN lesions. Then, using a CO2 Laser, the lesions are targeted and destroyed. The objective of laser destruction is to prevent these lesions from turning into anal cancer.
