WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for April, 1999: Re: abnormal pap after hysterectomy

Re: abnormal pap after hysterectomy

From: William D. McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 18 Apr 1999 10:50:38 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Jill: "thank you dr. mcintosh - no text"
Previous message: Leah: "Doctor Can't Reach Cervix to Obtain Endocervical Cells"
In reply to: Carolyn: "abnormal pap after hysterectomy"

At Sat, 17 Apr 1999, Carolyn wrote: >
>One year after my total hysterectomy I got an abnormal pap result. I
>had the test repeated thinking the first had been a mistake. The second
>pap result was a high-grade SIL(class IV:Cin II-III). A Colposcopy was
>done and I saw a cyst that looked that a white-head. A biopsy was done,
>but when I called for the results, the nurse only told me to make an
>appointment with the doctor for "care options". The appointment is a
>week away and as you can imagine, I am a basket case. Is it normal to
>have an abnormal pap only a year after hysterectomy? I am taking
>estrogen. Can estrogen cause cancer on the cuff? Is it possible that
>the surgery itself has caused this?

Abnormal pap smears after hysterectomy are not common, but they do occur, especially if you had a history of abnormal paps in the past. The vaginal mucosa is more resistant to the factors that cause squamous cell carcinoma than the cervix, but it is still somewhat vulnerable.

Estrogen cannot cause this type of problem, and is unrelated to squamous cell cancers of the vagina or cervix. The surgery cannot cause this problem either.

Management of this problem is a bit complicated, though cancer is very rare, and your physician may well advise you to see a gyn oncologist if he or she does not see this problem very often. Good luck?

-- William D. McIntosh, MD Clarksville, TN

This is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace consultation and examination by your physician or other health care provider.

Next message: Jill: "thank you dr. mcintosh - no text"
Previous message: Leah: "Doctor Can't Reach Cervix to Obtain Endocervical Cells"
In reply to: Carolyn: "abnormal pap after hysterectomy"

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: