WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for May, 1998: Re: endo cells

Re: endo cells

From: Douglas J. Krell MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 10 May 1998 13:34:59 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: laura: "what is this?"
Previous message: Barbara: "Happy Mother's Day"
In reply to: lkaufman: "endo cells"

At Sun, 10 May 1998, lkaufman wrote: >
>This is my second request for info; maybe I'm doing something wrong in
>posting this request. If someone could let me know I'd really appreciate
>it.
> My doc performed a D&C because a pap smear showed multiple endo cells.

I'm assuming endometrial cells. A certain percentage of women will have endometrial (uterine lining) abnormalities if endometrial cells are seen on a PAP smear. Usually they are not.

>She wasn't able to get enough tissue for a lab analysis because of a tumor
>and now recommends I have an ultra sound. She says an ualtrasound will
>show if I have a thick or thin uterine lining (thick meaning there are too
>may cells and I'll probably have to have a hysterectomy; thin meaning the
>lining is fine and I should have pap smear 2x year).
> Having an operation based on an ultrasound alone doesn't seem right;

Well, I don't know that you would need hysterectomy for sure. There might be some alternatives, but it depends on a lot of things...how big is the tumor...do the cells look atypical...do you have bleeding problems?...what is your age...etc. If the lining is thin, there could still be problems, but something called "sono-hysterography", where fluid is instilled inside the uterine cavity through a thin catheter, and then an ultrasoud is performed might be a better option than a simple transvaginal ultrasound.

>if the ultrasound shows thickness does that mean I'll need another D&C,
>which will have the same result since the tumor will still be there
>blocking the way to purchase tissue for lab analysis?

Right. That's the problem. Maybe the little catheter can get around the tumor obstructing the canal. If not, then a regular vaginal ultrasound might be the only information upon which to proceed. I doubt that your doctor would try another D & C. Hormone therapy of one kind or another could be used to "thin" the lining, although looking at all the various alternatives would be best accomplished by your regular physician after weighing all the risks and examining all the benefits. Good luck.

--
Douglas J. Krell MD FACOG
Santa Fe, N.M.

Next message: laura: "what is this?"
Previous message: Barbara: "Happy Mother's Day"
In reply to: lkaufman: "endo cells"

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: