A squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) is an abnormal growth of squamous cells on the surface of the cervix; normal squamous cells make up the normal epithelium of the cervix. This lesion can progress to cervical cancer and can be diagnosed using a Pap smear or a colposcopy. It can be treated by using methods that remove the abnormal cells, allowing normal cells to grow in their place. [1] In the Bethesda system, the cytology can be graded as LSIL (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) or HSIL (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion).[ citation needed ]
