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Re: sults of pap smear
From: Madeline (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 26 Jan 2000 14:47:35 -0600 (CST)
Dear Patti, Thanks for writing about lgsil. I was diagnosed with this
and am going into get a culposcopy next week. Is there any literature
on this and where can I find it? I am in Philly and Boston.
Thanks Madeline
At Sat, 29 Aug 1998, Patti Tessler, FNP wrote:
>
>At Tue, 4 Aug 1998, cheryl wrote:
>>
>>trying to find out exactly what a low grade squamis lesion ephifileo is.
>>Cant get in to see a gynocologist for 6 weeks.
>
>It sounds like you had a pap that came back with the result "low grade
>squamous intraepithelial lesion," also known as LGSIL. This result
>means that abnormal cells were found on your cervix, but the result does
>not mean that cancerous cells were found. Depending on your history of
>pap results, sexual activity, and sexually transmitted diseases, your
>health care provider may suggest that you repeat the pap smear every six
>months for three smears, and have a colposcopy if any of those are
>abnormal. Sometimes the body will get rid of the cells on its own while
>you wait. On the other hand, the provider may offer you a colposcopy
>now.
>
>During a colposcopy, the examiner uses an instrument called a
>colposcope, which looks a little like binoculars on a tripod, to look at
>your cervix while you're lying on the examining table in the usual
>stirrup position. The scope doesn't touch you, and the exam is
>painless. The examiner may put some white vinegar on your cervix,
>because doing so can make the abnormal parts of the cervix stand out
>better. Last, the examiner may take a couple of samples, called
>biopsies, of the cervical tissue and send them to the pap lab for a
>closer look. Taking the samples can be painful, but the pain is brief.
>
>If the biopsies come back showing abnormalities, your health care
>provider may recommend that you get treatment to remove the irregular
>cells. This treatment may be with cold (cryosurgery) or with a laser
>(LEEP), and is often done in the provider's office.
>
>Because abnormal pap smears are often caused by infection with a virus
>called HPV, you may want to read up on this virus (you can search this
>site for information). HPV is the virus that causes genital warts, and
>it also may cause cervical problems. You can have cervical problems
>without ever having a wart, and vice versa. Many, many people in this
>country have the virus and don't even know it. Because it is a virus,
>keeping your immune system strong can help your body to fight the
>infection and keep your cervix healthy. Cigarette smoking, in
>particular, seems to be a kind of "fertilizer" for HPV-related changes
>on the cervix, so if you smoke, you should quit.
>
>Many women become concerned that they have to wait to follow up on an
>abnormal pap. Six weeks is a long time to wait to ask questions, but it
>is not a long time to wait to follow up on this pap result. I hope you
>will call your provider, or write here again, if you have further
>questions before your appointment.
>
>--
>Patti Tessler, BSN, MSN, RN, CS
>Family Nurse Practitioner
>
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