Hi everyone,
I got my biopsy results today. Severe dysplasia (plus lesion- high grade I think) was confirmed. The indication is that it hasn't progressed through the membrane, though he said this will be confirmed with the LEEP (May 17th). He said the LEEP has a 97 % chance of removing all the cells (thus "curing" the condition, I assume), and if not, the LEEP is done again. I don't know what happens if they find the membrane has been crossed.

To anyone who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer: Is it something that is detected right away from the biopsy/colposcopy? Can I stop worrying completely now? Everyone keeps saying that if it was bad, they would have detected it by now. But I thought that until they do the LEEP, they can't confirm anything, but the tests so far can indicate the likelyhood of cancer.
I mean, it can't be advanced cervical cancer without them knowing by now surely?
My pelvic ultrasound showed "nothing in particular"- whatever that means. So my husband and I were pretty pleased that so far it has only been labelled as dysplasia and commented on the fact that this is good news. The doctor replied defensively "compared to what?". I keep getting mixed messages. I don't know whether to be relieved or not.
And apparently I don't get the option of being out for the procedure. He said I can drive myself there and back and it will take 5 minutes. Is this true?
Has anyone had leep results come back worse than expected?
And what is the difference between a laser and a leep?
Thanks everyone...

Hi phaedrus,

My dr told me that they can tell from the colpo biopsy results if the abnormal cells have spread past the base membrane. He explained that the pathologist takes each piece of tissue (yuck! :p) and makes a vertical cut, looking for the extent of dysplasia. Roughly, if 1/3 of the epithelium is taken up by abnormal cells, it is CIN1; if 2/3, then CIN2; if 3/3 are dysplastic, then it is CIN3, i.e. severe (high grade) dysplasia. If the dysplasia has proceeded past the base membrane, then it is invasive cancer. (But even in this case there are grades according to how many millimeters the cells have spread past the membrane, so nothing is decided yet!!!)

However, do not freak out over CIN numbers. As I learned on this site, the pathologist will give you a CIN3 "verdict" even if s/he sees only a few CIN3 cells. My dr has confirmed this. They always go by the highest grade cells, no matter how few they are. Your post-LEEP biopsy could come back as CIN2 for all you know!

I hope you can find the strength to relax and take care of yourself until the LEEP. From what I have read and the dr tells me, they should have been able to tell from the colpo biopsies if it was cancer, so if they are saying just dysplasia, chances are this is all it is.

Hugs and best, best wishes.

:angel:

Hi Phaedrus,

I have a CINIII lesion and I am scheduled for a LEEP on the 24th of March. I am being put out for this procedure. I received two opinions before making my decision one doctor said no you don't need to be out and the other said I only do LEEPs if the patient is out.

For a LEEP you are put under just a little amount of anesthesia and you breathe on your own. There is a posting on this message board titled something to the effect of "awake or asleep for a LEEP" I would read these postings and if you feel that you want to be alseep look for a different doctor. Are you seeing a regular gynecologist or a gynecological oncologist?

I got two opinions from gynecological oncologists you may want to check in to seeing one of those if you haven't already. Make sure you are really comfortable with your doctor. One of the doctors I saw he acted as if the procedure was nothing and wasn't too concerned with me, my feelings, and my questions. I didn't choose to have the procedure done with him. The other doctor identified with my concerns and felt free to answer all of my questions and I have actually called him and asked even more questions. Maybe you want to drive yourself, but maybe it's important that your husband is there with you too. From what you write it doesn't sound as if your doctor is really getting you the informaiton that you and your husband need to feel confident in him the procedure etc. You really want to click well with your doctor. After the LEEP there is follow up visits etc.

Good Luck! Hope I could help.

I would strongly suggest a gyn/onc. They are more trained and specialize in these procedures. I saw a HUGE difference and felt much more comfy when I switched.

I had a CIN3 on the colpo, but a CIN2 after my leep. The line between numbers is VERY thin...I think I've only heard one women say she got a WORSE diagnosis after the leep - most people it matches or is a bit better. Even if it did end up a bit stage 1 cancer, the line is so thin - and the leep often cures early stages. I would not worry! I dont think its possible to have advanced cancer but only get a CIN3 from the colpo, it cant be that 'off' -- even w/ a little margin of error.

While its 'cured' for the moment, it can come back , so we need to monitor closely. I'm going every 3 months from now on... not taking any chances.

That 'compared to what' comment is obnoxious. I cant tolerate anyone saying things like that! At ANY stage, this is difficult. Yes, it could always be worse, can sometimes be better, but its GREAT To look at it as "it could be worse" thats a wonderful outlook and your Dr should commend you - its not like you are thinking you're ok and telling him you dont want treatment! When I was in the hospital I saw all these REALLY sick people and actually felt lucky that I was just having a leep!

Most times I dont see how you can be denied the option of being out? Last time I checked we are the patients. Unless it is a very large area of abnormal cells, and they are doing a lot of areas (aka- alonger, more delicate/detailed leep) I think the patient needs to decide this. Did you find out how many areas of abnormalities there are, and how much area of the cervix it covers?

To answer the laser question - (I just had a laser and leep together 2 weeks ago) it is good for larger abnormal areas that you wouldnt want to leep b/c too much would be 'scooped' out. Its a new/advanced machine that is less invasive, less scarring, less issues /w your cervix later, and is very precise. Only gyn/onc really are trained in laser. You would want a leep too, for the center area/worst parts, so they can take parts to biopsy. The two down sides of laser are that its EXPENSIVE - and, you can't take parts to biopsy (For laser ablation) because the cells vaporize. You can do a laser cone as well, which is a less invasive option than a cold knife or leep cone - and seems to have the same success . The reason its not done alone is b/c it doesnt go as deep as the leep does, so the deeper abnormal cells do need the leep

Hope this makes sense!

Thanks so much everyone for your input. I don't even know if this guy is a regular gyn or an onc/gyn. I will find out. He never explained to me exactly how much of the cervix is covered but he was training another doctor when he did my biopsy and he commented to the other dr quite audibly that "look at all those cells, that's a lot of cells that are showing up...." He actually sounded quite surprised himself. I will look into getting another dr. Unfortunately I live a town that is known for the lack of Drs in the area.
Still, thanks for sharing, now I have more idea of what to expect. I read the posts from the other thread about Leep...yikes. I would opt for being out. I am glad not everyone had neg experiences awake, but I would rather not know what is going on.
Hope everything goes well with everyone's future results/procedures. :)

Ill never understand why someone would allow a dr to bring people in the room and train em (maybe im just finicky) and THEN why the dr/s would say comments like that!!!!!! I mean if its a shoulder or tooth issue maybe, but when im in the stirrups the LAST thing I want is 2 men staring at m ycooch hahah.....

my feeling is , if the dr is not SHOWING (if they haev the monitor thing) and TELLING you every single thing they are doing, seeing, findingout... every step of the way......you need a new dr.

I would say, dump this dr asap...!!! He sounds both incompetent and insensitive and this is your health and your life!

Keep us posted and God bless.

:angel:

For the past 2 years I have been going from pap to colpo to leep. This last time the results showed that it was high grade but hadn't progressed. I feel really in tune with the doctor I go to and yes it is very important to have this relationship. If your doctor can't give you information in English, then he doesn't care too much for your health. It is horrible to say that a doctor does not care, but we sometimes face that. You should have a dr that you can call on day or night and who will be more than happy to answer any questions, even if they sound minute to you. Good luck with your procedures and keep praying.

You should have a dr that you can call on day or night and who will be more than happy to answer any questions, even if they sound minute to you.

If only I could find a dr like that...

On the RARE occasion I have needed to talk to my gyno personally, I got the spiel: "Would you like to speak to a nurse?", which really means "The ****** nurse is all you are getting unless you want to make an appointment 4-6 weeks from now, cough up a hefty co-pay, and have your insurance pay 180 dollars for 10 mins of a consult."

My husband and I have gone through alot of grief from the procedures that have had to be done. Our doctor is very active in our mental and emotional health as well as the physical. When all of this began, he began to play an active roll in our lives and gave us a personal number to reach him. Of course as you can see, I am still posting questions here instead of calling him 20 times a day, but I know that I can call on him when there is something seriously wrong or I need an extra boost of confidence. Yes, it is rare to find that kind of dr, but through the grace of God, we have a very caring person that takes care of us. Prayer works wonders, girl!! :angel:

lmfao..exactly........I once had $120 charge for me to wait 2 hrs, and the dr to sit me down , say I had cin1-2 and needed a cold knife cone. and WALK OUT. about 2 1/2 minutes. $120! Not to mention that was the WRONG procedure - i NEVER went back!

On the flip side, the gyn/onc, spent about 40 mins with me, did the exam, and was really nice, informative, and helpful....$630 bill-- but WELL worth it -- Id rather get a huge bill but havea good experience and not have to waste time and find new drs!

Thank you ladies for supporting my indignation. I think I will just have to get more feisty about these things. And I wasn't over keen on a crowd of people staring up my
you know what either. Though it does seem most of my answers came from overhearing the conversation between the drs. What a shame too, I had such a good feeling about this guy to begin with...

Look at how kind, calm, and informative WE ALL ARE on this board - and we dont know each other. Think about it - is it really too much to expect that our DOCTORS who we pay and who are trained--- to do the same? :)

Excellent point Lobo. Since the beginning I have had my best info from this board...thanks so much everyone
xoxo

Look at how kind, calm, and informative WE ALL ARE on this board - and we dont know each other. Think about it - is it really too much to expect that our DOCTORS who we pay and who are trained--- to do the same? :)

Plus... we do not get paid big bucks to extend at least a certain degree of courtesy and professional concern... It all comes from being human and reaching out to each other in our needy hours...

I wonder if some drs shed their humanity as part of their training... :D

Before getting the leep, find out how often they are unable to determine the markers due to poor condition of the leep caused by the edges being burnt. Had I known, I would have gone straight for another procedure! Why go thru all of that and still have to wait until they can perform another pap?? By then, who knows. I was told by 1 doc when I specifically asked is carcinoma insutu cancer? His answer yes, my gyn, no. The docs need to get together, come up with 1 firm classification and we females need more education on HPV - did you ever hear of it before you were diagnosed with it? Me either.

By then, who knows. I was told by 1 doc when I specifically asked is carcinoma insutu cancer? His answer yes, my gyn, no. The docs need to get together, come up with 1 firm classification and we females need more education on HPV - did you ever hear of it before you were diagnosed with it? Me either.

I had no idea of HPV and I am a professional microbiologist. Should I had known the amount of people that have this virus, I would have definetly used condoms. Now I know that when one is going to have sex you have to assume that the person is infected no matter how nice the person seems to be.

I actually came to know about it one time that I was just curious and surfed the Sexually Transmitted Diseases board here. I went to gyn to my exam but was hopefull i was not going to have the virus given it was only one guy I had unprotected sex, thought I was not going to have such bad luck. But it got me. :rolleyes:

I actually came to know about it one time that I was just curious and surfed the Sexually Transmitted Diseases board here. I went to gyn to my exam but was hopefull i was not going to have the virus given it was only one guy I had unprotected sex, thought I was not going to have such bad luck. But it got me. :rolleyes:

To make things worse, a condom may provide a barrier for HPV, but it can only protect the area that it is covering. And most of the time, the HPV will be outside the area covered by the condom. No wonder there is such a high rate of HPV infection... :(