Hello Everyone,

Okay! I had two samples taken: one had clear margins, no dysplasia.

My Endocervical Cutterage (sp?) was also clear of dysplasia.

BUT...

The other sample came back FOCAL HGSIL (CIN II) with DYSPLASTIC MUCOSA on the margins!!
What the H*LL is DYSPLASTIC MUCOSA? How is it different from dysplasia? Should I be worried? It just doesn't sound very pleasant:confused:

I had to get a hold of my own report because the clinic I go to cancelled my appointment without notifying me, so I had to go to the hospital where my procedure was performed and request a copy of my medical records. I have no idea how to translate the second findings. The GREAT thing is that it said NOTHING about CANCER::)

Has anyone experienced this before...PLEASE help!

Thank you!

Asilgirl33

Hi,
Let me start out by saying I deeply sympathize with what you are going through. It sounds as if we may be in a similiar boat. I had LEEP performed in 2005, which confirmed CIN III with clear margins, and that was all I was told. I have new insurance now, so I requested copies of my medical records to send over to my new Dr. I read through them for the first time, and noticed there were additional areas marked as CIN I with the margins involved. I tested positive for HPV types 16 & 18, so naturally I am worried about those areas now that a couple years have past since. I am hoping my new doctor will clear up any worries, but as you probably know, the whole process is a hurry up and wait game. I have tried to do some research on my own, but the significant findings only pertain to CIN III involving margins, and leave much to the imagination as it relates to CIN I & II. I read a few articles that state the process of LEEP is thought to take care of any areas leftover, but personally...that does not sound certain enough to ease my mind. I also had an abnormal pap post LEEP, and a colposcopy was never done, just a repap four months later. Now I am starting to think I should have questioned that decision. I will let you know if & when I get any sound information. Hopefully, however, there will be someone on here with a similiar experience to help ease the stress of the unknowing...

Hey CynwithCin,

I like your screenname:)

Thank you for responding to my thread. I too sympathize with what you must be going through. This is all so very frustrating and unfair in so many ways, but such is life, and we have the strength to deal with this.:cool:

So my other question to you (or anyone reading this thread), what exactly does the LEEP do aside from confirming or not confirming dysplasia or ruling out cancer? Does the LEEP not get rid of the problem if the infected tissue is removed by the procedure? Does dysplastic mucosa have a grade or is it just random cells out of control? I'm very confused.

Thank you again!

Thanks :)

I have told my husband time and time again, the entire experience will likely do more emotional harm than physical. Unless you are going through it, or have gone through it, its hard to truly understand the level of stress that it brings. Its nice there are message boards like this readily available, so people can find others in whom they can relate to....it truly does help just to vent sometimes....

LEEP treats cervical dysplasia, and is a favorable method being the questionable tissue can then be sent in for further evaluation. LEEP does have a high cure rate, but its not 100%. My recommendation would be to find a doctor, have all your records sent to their office, and make an appointment to discuss your results with them in terms of what additional treatment is needed if any, and for follow-up care. I am not familiar with the term dysplastic mucosa, and would not want to give you any misinformation.

I have my LEEP scheduled mid-July, I was not told why I am having this done though I had my biopsy last week. Can someone tell me what "margins" are?

Thank you all!

Hey there K2626,

If you are having a LEEP done it's because your biopsy came back positive for moderate/severe dysplasia or possibly (and please don't let this scare you) cancer in-situ on the cervix. Your doctor should've told you why the procedure is being done. I would definitely find out.

I believe the "margins" are the areas around the infected area. If they are clear of dysplasia, that means all of the infected tissue has been removed. If the "margins" are NOT clear, it means that dysplasia is still present and may require further treatment. I think the decision to do a repeat LEEP or cone biopsy is determined by a follow-up PAP after your surgery.

You should really spend sometime reading through the threads on this topic. There is ALOT of helpful information from women who have had much more experience with "margins". Check them out!

Hope this was helpful.

Asilgirl33:wave:

LEEP does indeed cure dysplasia, in most cases. The infected tissue is removed, and although dysplasia occasionally re-developes, it usually doesn't.

The "margins" are just what they sound like: the margins (edges) of the tissue that was removed. It's where the incisions were made. If dysplasia extends beyond the margins when pathology examines the removed tissue, it means that there may still be dysplasia left in your cervix. If none is seen at the edges of the sample, it means they believe they removed all of it.

Having some dysplasia at the margins may mean you will have another abnormal PAP - but not necessarily. After a LEEP, the wound is cauterized, and often that destroys any remaining disease left near the incision sites.

Thank you for the information! My doctor is back on Monday so hopefully I will get some answers as to why I was changed from a cyro to a LEEP procedure! It certainly has had me panicked since the assistant called--with lack of any other information. I am thinking my dyplasia is a lot worse then they thought it would be though I was fine 6 months ago.

Don't be panicky. Even severe dysplasia is 100% treatable.