Cold Knife Cone Procedure And Update

Hi Everyone!

I got my second opinion from the chief of gyn oncology at UC Davis yesterday and he recommended a cold knife conization procedure rather than the LEEP my ob/gyn had suggested, so I am scheduled for next month.  Has anyone had this procedure performed?  I would love to hear both the good and the bad if possible.  Thanks and best thoughts for all going through cervical issues!

Elizabeth

I'm so sorry you are facing this! Do you have a loved one who can go with you? But I'm glad you got a second opinion. Did you also see the lab reports and get a full discussion about your condition? As you know, it's very critical to be as informed as possible, but it sounds like you more than likely did. (I just have to ask those questions, anyway.) I haven't had this done, so I am not the right person to tell you anything. I have been told the hot wire from LEEP leaves a burn mark around the edges of the specimen, so cold knife gives a cleaner one, but that's all I know. But hopefully, somebody who has been through this can give you information about the good and bad. Have you also gotten information from the doctor? The office should have written literature for you. Or have you checked the internet?

My very best for you!

My previous dr had suggested the LEEP procedure and since I had read so much about the negatives, I sought the second opinion- plus she was terrible at explaining things.  The new dr said that the cytology (pap) came back CIN I-II but the pathology (biopsy) came back CIN II- III, with the pathologist leaning more towards a CIN III rating.  He said that when a CIN I rating comes back it in a cytology usually means that the HPV virus is very active but hasn't presented itself in the tissue.  The fact that there was a discrepancy between the cytology and the pathology ratings based on his experience treating the disease suggested that while the virus has presented itself in the tissue, it is also still very active.  He said that if I had a LEEP performed, the virus would probably persist and present itself again in the tissue and I would thus be required to have another procedure performed.  Maybe this is what happens to patients who have to have multiple LEEPs performed.  He said that based on the findings he thinks that in my case the disease is aggressive.  While I was hoping that laser would be an effective option, he felt that treating it more aggressively than even LEEP (with the cone biopsy) would provide more potential for remission.

Hi there,

I am 24 and was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma in Situ back in October 2007, at age 23. My oncologist proceeded in using the conization method for my case. I had it done on Dec.13th. After my procedure I went home and crashed for most of the day. It burned a smidge that night into the next morning when I peed, very little spotting for the nest day or two. And other than that, I was fine. They had gotten everything out. Went for my full examination at 6 weeks for checkup and healed fine. I was so relieved to be able to wear tampons again! Gosh I never thought I would be so happy to wear them...lol.

Now it's like I am starting all over...my 6 month checkup is in August. So I'm afriad it's going to be there again. But I am staying optimistic until then. It is beyond my control so thats all I can do is stay postive.

But don't be too nervous about the procedure itself. As soon as the anesthsia was given I only remember curling up in a ball in the back seat of my parents SUV and passing out in bed.

If you have any more questions let me know. Hope I have been of some help.  :)

He said that if I had a LEEP performed, the virus would probably persist and present itself again in the tissue and I would thus be required to have another procedure performed.  Maybe this is what happens to patients who have to have multiple LEEPs performed.  He said that based on the findings he thinks that in my case the disease is aggressive.  While I was hoping that laser would be an effective option, he felt that treating it more aggressively than even LEEP (with the cone biopsy) would provide more potential for remission.

Sacmomof2, I want to thank you for posting that. I have never understood why women keep getting multiple LEEP's. Whenever I ask about that, doctors become uncomfortable. It sounds like you got the information from the expert, himself. If the dysplasia comes back, I'm going to take this information into consideration.

I definitely hope your cone biopsy goes smoothly for you and that you don't have a recurrence. My very, very best to you. Hopefully, you have gotten more information about what to expect.

I had two cone procedures the first one was done by my regular gyno the second by the gyno oncologist. When it was done by the "expert" I had very little bleeding and no pain but with the first was there was just some cramping and clots of the stuff the use to stop the bleeding (which hardens and kinda hurts when it comes out). Overall it was not a bad experience. It has been over two years and the HPV has totally disappeared and no cancer cells are present. I wish you the best.