Worried About Abnormal Cells Found During My Pap Smear

During my pap smear a few days ago I opted to use an additional technique called PapSure that lets your Dr. view your cervix with a blue light and it will make any abnormal cells turn bright white. During this exam my Dr decided that I needed a biopsy. she found white cells in my cervix. I have not gotten results back from my pap smear since it has only been two days, and I have to wait till the first day of my period to schedule my biopsy. I am afraid that what she saw is cancer. Has any had the PapSure exam used on them and any advice on the white cells found? Does it sound like cervical cancer? Its all I can think about.
Thanks

The "white" cells are dysplasia. It is not cancer, but left untreated can turn into cancer. When I first went in for my pap it came back abnormal (atypical). Then I went in for the colposcopy and the GYN put the vinegar solution on my cervix and the light revealed the "white" cells. He removed this area. Just a skimming of the top layer of tissue. I waited (it took two days), and I was told I had CIN II, moderate dysplasia. I already was scheduled to have surgery to remove endometriosis, so we added on a LEEP procedure to be sure all of the mutated cells were gone. I had that done and they also removed my appendix, as it had endometrial tissue on it. The lab results came back that the margins were not clear. My doctor wanted to remove a small amount more to see if any was left over that didn't get burned of when the incision was cauterized. But my husband changed jobs and insurance. Because they considered it pre existing I had to wait 6 months. I was told this was okay because it's slow moving. CIN III used to be considered cancer, but now it's just pre cancer??? It means you're on the fence. I have an appointment on the 18th, but I am nervous because I have a lot of symptoms of concern. Don't worry too much. out of all the cancer there is, this is the most curable, and slow going. The best cure is removal of bad tissue. There is someone on here saying how you should check out other optins. The colposcopy and even the LEEP are such minimal removals, it is in no way an amputation! You can still have kids. If they have to remove a second LEEP they can always add a stitch. My friend had that done and she is a healthy pregnant mom right now. Her husband is also a doctor. I don't know what other options this individual that is posting that is thinking... but you should know that chemo is a last resort, for invasive cases. Chemo causes all kinds of side effects i.e. lukemia and other horrible conditions. Ask an oncologist, get another opinion, but I know for sure a LEEP is not that invasive of a procedure, and if you do what the doctor says, you won't even get an infection. Even if I would've gotten an infection.. I would have rather had that than an invasive cancer which is what it would turn into if left untreated. Just don't believe everything you hear. Do your homework, and don't worry so much. So far you're in good shape. And don't panic if the doctor comes back and says it's worse than he thought. Cervical dysplasia is very treatable. Good luck. Julie

Divarnd, I have never heard of the "blue light", so I'd be curious to know more.

It does sounds like dysplasia, but you'll know more, of course, when the results come back. I realize how horrible it is to wait, but you can get through this! However, when the biopsy results come back, ask to see them. In addition, have an indepth discussion with your doctor about your condition. If you have dysplasia, you'll want to know how extensive it is, if it's in the endocervical canal, and if the endocervical glands are involved. Don't hesitate to ask any questions about the lab report when you look at it! It is also important for your doctor to discuss all of your options with you - cold knife cone biopsy, cryosurgery, laser, and LEEP. Your doctor will probably make a recommendation, but make absolutely sure your have complete knowledge about your condition and your options so that you can make an informed decision. If you don't feel comfortable with what your doctor is doing, don't hesitate to get another. This is your body. There is a lot of information out there about dysplasia and the treatments. You can get brochures from clinics, such as Planned Parenthood or even hospitals. The internet has a plethora of information.

Julie, foremost, if you have ever seen pictures of how a cervix looks after treatment, you would know it is partial amputation. Full-on amputation would be a hysterectomy, of course. But something is being removed. The cervix heals, but even with a small amount, its not going to grow back to its original size. However, if women don't choose one of those methods, they just might find themselves facing death. I don't think one person wants to die young. But that's why it is critical to have full knowledge. It helps women make those important, informed decisions that are the best for their comfort levels and their bodies in order to save their lives. Knowledge really is power!

Secondly, if you didn't have insurance, did you consider free clinics or hospital clinics? When I didn't have insurance, that's where I went for my health needs and PAP smears. Regardless, I definitely hope you will be fine.

What I was saying was; the cervix is about an inch thick. The portion that is removed in a colposcopy or even a LEEP is very minor. I don't call it "amputation" when I trim dead skin off my fingers. Come on, don't you think by saying such things you will scare women who are already anxious about their condition by discouraging them from getting LEEPs done because they're "amputating" their reproductive organs, and of the infection risk? It is a vital and neccessary treatment depending on the amount of dysplasia. And because of the tiny amount of tissue that is acctually being removed.. child bearing is completely possible. Obviously with my condition I know what a cervix looks like. And I think that was an unfair comment you made. And also, like I said.. my doctor said that I had plenty of time as it is slow moving. My income is above the poverty level, there are no free clinics when you can pay for private insurance. I didn't need to as I had two doctors OBGYN's and an oncologist saying I had time. I paid for one consultation at my new doctor and he too assured me that waiting a little while more would not make much difference. Do you even realize that catching CIN at a dysplasia level is 100% curable?? That is if you take the advice of the doctors and not some one scaring others in a place they went to for comfort and a common bond helping each other talk it through. The symptoms I have are common with cancer, we don't really know how long I've had the dysplasia or how deep it is. I will find out soon. My symptoms could also be from a completely different cancer or condition. -Don't know yet. I am sorry if I offended you. I am here to be a friend and to find some friends that are coping with the same issues. I just couldn't keep my mouth shut about the many posts I read from you warning people to avoid a LEEP because doctors like to do it because it's "cheap". That's just an ignorant thing to say. I hope you can find it in your heart to realize that. Let's just help one another and be careful not to throw out theories w/o really knowing what we're talking about. This is not the place for that.

I want to address two issues.

 

1. LEEP: Foremost, if doctors automatically said “You need cryosurgery” or “You need laser” everytime women were diagnosed with dysplasia, I would become very angry at doctors for pushing that option on women as the only chocie. I would also still be angry at insurance companies, which prefer the cheap methods because they are cost effective. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: What I object to are doctors who don’t show the lab report, don’t have honest, thorough discussions about what kind of dysplasia women have and how extensive it is, don’t discuss in great details the benefits and risks of all their options, don’t make a recommendation after the discussion, and don’t ultimately decide together with the patients what would be best for both their conditions and their body’s comfort levels.

 

Most women I speak to have not seen the lab report. Their doctors didn’t have a thorough discussion about their conditions. They didn’t know they had options. Of course they’re frightened because it’s all very mysterious. But knowledge is very empowering. If women have full knowledge about each detail, it takes away a lot of the fear. It can also save their lives. Having knowledge can also help women demand that policymakers and drug companies develop medication.

 

2. Word Terms: I use the words “partial termination” because something is removed and the organ doesn’t return to original size. However, there are degrees of that. If the tip of your finger is cut off, it will heal, but it won’t be the same size, again. It has been partially terminated. However, this wouldn’t affect the use of  your hand. I equate this to a small amount removed from a cervix. It won’t be the same size, but it will heal and due to the small amount removed, it is unlikely that woman would have trouble carrying children to term. If more of your hand or even part of your arm gets removed, this will start to have more of an impact. The same with a cervix. The more tissue is removed, the more impact it has. But I tend to call things as they are.

 

By the way, most free clinics will take a patient, regardless of income, if it is an urgent or special need. I’m sorry you didn’t know that. Then again, I don’t where you live. I live in a major city. That city also has a respected medical university with a teaching clinic. If the bill was too high, a payment-installment plan was worked out. Regardless, I’m glad you have a loving, caring partner because that emotional support will help you, and I know you can get through all of this.

I have to agree with herenow on this. I have been going through the "good pap" "bad pap" game for almost 16 years now and I am fighting tooth and nail to avoid having to go through surgery... in my mind the theory of just cutting it off seems so primative. You would think that in 2008 there would be another option besides just cutting it off.

When my last biopsy came back CIN II I told my doctor that I did not want to have a LEEP procedure, she asked me why and I explained that either cryo or laser seemed to be procedures that would be easier to recover from... her response, she goes from writing the paper work for a LEEP in the next few weeks to telling me to wait 6 months and come back in for a follow up pap... Now if it is so bad that I had to have a LEEP ASAP why can it now wait 6 months because I want an alternate treatment?

 

Anyway I personally am fighting this battle on the homeopatic route... I would like to avoid having anything "cut out" of my body (unless they agree to do Lipo when they do the LEEP, if they could get rid of my tummy and love handles then MAYBE I would go for it)..

 

Just kidding but I thought I would try to get a little bit of humor to lighten the mood 

I strongly recommend consulting with an oncologist. They would tell you the best way to cure atypical cells is removal. Whether it's a colposcopy or a LEEP, it's a tiny amount of tissue. If you had a LEEP and required another because the margins were not clear; there's where you would have to discuss with your doctor whether or not you plan to bear more children. If you do, it's still possible, they just add a stitch. My daughters primary doctor had a LEEP and went on to have FIVE children. Dysplasia can resolve itself on its' own. It is also slow enough growing that if you were not comfortable with a LEEP the doctor would give you the option of returning in 3 to 6 months to see if your own body's immune system was abel to fight off the abnormal cells. I personally would rather not take that chance.. and it's a good thing I didn't. I started out a CIN I with the PAP results. Then after the colposcopy the results came back a CIN II. I went back shortly after for a LEEP and the results were CIN III and the margins were not clear. So even though it says everywhere that it takes several years to turn into cancer, I have found the little biopsies very revealing and are probably saving my life. RE: insurance I know people who live in Ohio that wouldn't move to Wisconsin because they didn't have as many freebies. I certainly could be seen almost anywhere. I would have had to foot the bill. AND with the doctors assurance that it would take time to progress, waiting on insurance a couple of months was fine. Like I said, I did go in and pay cash for a consultation to make sure I wasn't putting my life in danger. I'd rather wait a month more and be covered, than panic and end up with a cancer diagnosis while uninsured. That would only add to the stress of things which does not help the healing process.

I also have to point this out; My OBGYN had a LEEP, my friend who is married to a doctor had a LEEP (she is also pregnant now), and my daughters' primary doctor had a LEEP. So if doctors just go that route just because it's cheap... why would that be their own method of choice???

Jewelz, I think what we're trying to say is that women should have all the information available to make informed decisions: the results from the lab reports, a thorough discussion about the type of dysplasia they have and how extensive it is, and education about all their options, along with the risks and benefits. It really is empowering to take an active role in addressing your condition.

I don't want women to make wrong choices. Cold knife cone biopsy, cryosurgery, laser, and LEEP have the same success rate. Which method should be used depends on the kind of dysplasia she has and should also include her own body's comfort level. I have examples of when each method was the wrong one. This is why women should have the information to make informed decisions to save their lives and should fire doctors who prove inappropriate.

From what I understand and have been told, Chemiszt24 is well educated about her condition, which she has been addressing for 16 years. I find it disconcerting her doctor told her to just come back in six months because she wanted a different option. I think she should see a different doctor rather than wait six months. The people you mentioned also made their choices for what they wanted (LEEP),  just as you made a choice to not see a doctor for eight months, for reasons of your own.

As a postscript, J, I spoke to one of the free clinics in my city. They said because the county doesn't wan't to spend money for more expensive equipment, LEEP is all they have for low-income women with high-grade dysplasia. The woman at the clinic felt badly that she didn't have other options available.

Insorfar as your condition is concerned, I feel angry and concerned because if your condition is as bad as you think, you are a victim of insurance. You should have been able to get treated, immediately. This is why the healthcare system needs to change.