WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for February, 2001: Re: lack of endocervical cells

Re: lack of endocervical cells

From: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 28 Feb 2001 13:28:29 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: katie: "lack of endocervical cells"

At Wed, 28 Feb 2001, katie wrote: >
>I have just gone to see my OBGYN for my yearly check
>up. She found a little bump on my ovaries ( which I
>have had before) and has asked me to come back in 4
>weeks to take a look.
>Then I just recieved a call from her saying my pap
>smear came back normal but it doesn't show any
>endocervical cells?
>
>What do endocervical cells do?
>What does it mean if I don't have any?
>
>She told me that I would have to make an appointment
>and come back in 6 months, even though I reminded her
>I will be back in 2 weeks for the other test. Does
>that mean it is no big deal if none are showing up?
>
>Cancer runs in my family, my mom has had breast cancer
>twice, and my grandfather and uncle have both died of
>cancer.
>What should I expect of what is to come? And are
>there questions i should ask her?
>
>Thank you.

The lack of endocervical cells does not mean that you don't have any, it simply means that the pathologist was not able to see any in the sampling provided by your physician. To completely assess a pap smear, the pathologist likes to see both ectocervical and endocervical cells (two different cell types). If he doesn't, the report is sent as an inadequate specimen and a repeat is suggested... Lynn

--
Lynn D. Montgomery, MD
Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center
Missoula, Montana

**Note:  Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.  This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.

**Private e-mails cannot be entertained due to time constraints, consequently no private e-mails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

Next message: nancy: "miscarriages and APAs and timing of heparin"
Previous message: Human: "Long Mestrual Period"
In reply to: katie: "lack of endocervical cells"

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