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Re: More bad news...anyone had a biopsy of their cervix?
From: anonymous (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed Apr 6 08:19:06 2005
I wasn't trying to offend you. My doctor told me all of that
information recently, I was just telling you what he told me. While HPV
does also cause warts on hands, feet, etc, there are only a couple of
strains that cause cervical dysplasia and they are transmitted via
sexual intercourse. Also, condoms don't always prevent HPV
transmission. So, even if you were safe, which I wasn't doubting, you
could have still contracted HPV. It's not a big deal. Like I said, it
is very common. Most women don't even know that they have HPV unless it
causes dysplasia, in which case it is easily treated. HPV can, if left
untreated, cause cervical cancer, and is the only cause of cervical
cancer according to my doctor. There was a woman who fought tooth and
nail to get yearly pap smears paid for by insurance companies. Before
that, a lot of women were dying needlessly from undiagnosed dysplasia
that led to cancer because it wasn't treated. I understand that you are
going through a lot right now, but I didn't deserve to have my head bit
off for offering information. We are all going through a lot. Please
give me the benefit of the doubt and don't automatically assume that I
was trying to insult you. The reason I was talking about HPV is because
you said you were going for a colposcopy, which is usually only done if
multiple pap smears come back irregular, and you said that you were
already diagnosed with precancerous cells. I hope you get everything
figued out, and I hope that it is all good news.
At Tue, 5 Apr 2005, Shannon wrote:
>
>Thank you very much for all of your useful information and support. I
>hope that you are doing better now. Thanks. :O)
>
>At Tue, 5 Apr 2005, anonymous wrote:
>
>>The other anonymous poster got it partly right... Abnormal cells on a
>>single pap smear usually just means you go back in 6 months for a repeat
>>pap smear and if that one shows abnormal cells then a colposcopy with or
>>without biopsy. And depending upon the findings you could have a
>>cryosurgery procedure (in the instance of genital warts) or a LEEP in
>>the instance that there is something actually in or on your cervix.
>>
>>Sometimes this is caused by HPV which is SOMETIMES an STD but not
>>always. Untreated, some strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer. Do
>>not jump to conclusions because of all the many strains of HPV only a
>>couple of them are classified as STDs. The same HPV virus that causes
>>warts on your hands or fingers can cause cervical dysplasia and that is
>>certainly not an STD.
>>
>>Colposcopy, which is usually done first, and at the same time, if
>>necessary a biopsy is done. Colposcopy is done by using a special
>>circular device to look at the cervix and using different colored lenses
>>painting the surface of the cervix with substances such as vinegar to
>>determine exactly what type of cells are being seen. This is mostly
>>painless though the vinegar can sting just a little it's not at all
>>unbearable under normal circumstances. If you are feeling particularly
>>stressed out about this be sure to tell the doctor's office in advance
>>and ask if they can give you a dose of ativan or valium to help you
>>through it.
>>
>>If an actual biopsy is done it can be a bit painful depending on what is
>>being biopsied. I had a tumor embedded in my cervix and the doctor,
>>after telling me I might feel some slight discomfort, proceeded to try
>>to remove a bit of this tumour with alligator clip looking things and NO
>>anesthetic whatsoever - I don't care whether the doctor believes the
>>cervix contains nerve endings or not - that is far from slight
>>discomfort and anesthetic should be used. Anyway, that is not to say
>>that you will be having the exact same thing done. I suggest that you
>>have someone go with you - at least to drive you home because you really
>>shouldn't drive after that... especially if you have valium or
>>something.
>>
>>You can use the search feature on http://www.obgyn.net for any of these
>>words:
>>Abnormal Pap Smear (really good article by Dr. Rich that shows the
>>different abnormal findings and what it means)
>>Colposcopy
>>LEEP
>>HPV
>>And of course you can look them up with Google.
>>
>>By the way, if you haven't yet checked out the website that hosts this
>>forum, you should. There are some really good articles and a list of
>>specialists around the globe. http://www.endometriosiszone.org is the
>>main page. I found some good articles about coping with pain and
>>surgery.
>>
>>At Tue, 5 Apr 2005, Shannon wrote:
>>>
>>>My doctor called me back today to say my pap smear results came back
>>>irregular with pre cancerous cells on my cervix. I have to get a biopsy
>>>done. This is all scary, even if things go well. Does it ever stop?
>>>Anyone ever have this done? How much does it hurt to have a biopsy of
>>>the cervix?
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