Very scared... abnormal lesion - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Message Board

Margie88 · 03-04-2009, 12:48 PM

I was diagnosed with high risk HPV about a year ago. I got a colpo after being diagnosed and have had 2 paps since then. One came back with atypical squamos cells. I just got the results for my last pap today and it was abnormal lesion.

My doctor told me this means that they are precancerous and have gotten worse. He said that getting an abnormal lesion is common and that they are usually not treated. I am going in for a colpo on March 18th. He said that from my PAP it looks like the cells are probably mild but he has to make sure with the colpo. I am very very scared because I have no idea what this means. I am terrified of cancer.

I feel very guilty and upset because I know I haven't tried hard enough to quit smoking. He told me I really shouldn't smoke because it will help my immune system and really raise the chances of HPV becoming worse. I started Chantix to help me quit a couple days ago but have been smoking anyway... you're allowed to for the first week. When he told me today I started crying and threw my cigarettes out.

Can someone please explain what these results mean and what will probably happen?

Drafly · 03-04-2009, 02:04 PM

Margie, You really need to get some more specific info before any of us can really give you specific answers. The main question would be exactly what did your pathology say. Was it ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance) or CIN1, CIN2 or CIN3. This will make a difference as to the next step(s).

Don't beat yourself up over the smoking issue. I still smoked despite prior invasive cancer and repeated recurrences (all HPV related). It is very hard to quit smoking and I applaud your efforts. There are several things available now one of which helped me quit because it contains nicotine, still allows you the feeling of inhaling and even blowing out "smoke" which is really aerosolized water vapor but it sure looks like the real thing. I've tried everything else to quit and this is the only thing that did it for me. No cold turkey, no weight gain etc. I'm trying to figure out how to convey the info as we are not allowed to include websitse in our posts.

Margie88 · 03-04-2009, 02:12 PM

He really only told me that it is an abnormal lesion.

I think this means that it is CIN but its not determined which one. He mentioned that there are three levels of these precancerous legions, mild, moderate, and severe. He said my pap looks like it is mild but a colpo is needed to check for sure.

So could mild, moderate, and severe mean CIN1, CIN2, and CIN3?, because I looked it up online and I think CIN means the precancerous lesion itself. Thanks in advance for your support.

Pickle Eyes · 03-04-2009, 06:32 PM

Hi Margie, I suggest you call your doctor's office and ask them to send you a copy of the pathology report. It will give you the information Dragonfly asked about. It will help us explain what might be going on.

What has your doctor said is the next step?

Margie88 · 03-04-2009, 06:56 PM

He said I have to come in for a colposcopy so I scheduled my appointment for March 18th.

He said this will determine the level of the precancerous cells.