Has this happened to anyone else?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2003
Has this happened to anyone else?
2
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 12:15pm
I don't know where to begin but I guess at the beginning. Almost a year ago my annual pap test came back with atypical cells present. My gyno repeated the test and soon found that the results were worse than previously given. He performad a colposcopy and then decided that the best coarse of action would be to perform a LEEP procedure. In this procedure they use an electrocautery tool to remove/burn off a section of the cervix ( about the size of the tip of your thumb)and have it sent to the lab. This procedure revealed moderate to severe dysplasia but it showed that the "margins were clear". Since then I have been going to the Gynocologists office every three months for a followup pap. The first two tests came back clear but yesterday I received the results of the last test and they showed more atypical cells present. I thought that after the LEEP the chance of cells returning were minimal. Well, boy was I wrong! Being a nurse, I know that anything could cause a test to come back wrong but with my history of dysplasia I can't help but be concerned. I have a great doctor but I want more information. I want to hear from people who have gone through or who are going through the same thing. I also want to know what other options are out there. Please let me hear from you!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2000
Wed, 11-19-2003 - 6:51pm

Hi there!


I have also had a LEEP and so far so good with my repeat paps.


Over 90% of the time cervical abnormalities that are serious enough to need to be removed are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Its a very common virus that an estimated 75% of the sexually population has but only a small percentage ever find out they have because symptoms have developed on them (abnormal pap smears or warts). Some strains will cause warts. Other more common strains only cause cervical dysplasia.


Its unforetunate still some doctors do not tell patients about HPV and do not even test them for it when they have an abnormal pap smear. Just this summer, the gyne and oncologist board approved the fact that 99.8% of cervical cancer cases are caused by this virus. But unfortunately, many doctors are still not up on the latest data regarding cervical abnormalities and their relation to HPV.


This leads me to an explaination of why your situation happens.... HPV is not curable and it is not treatable. The only thing that can be treated are the cervical abnormalities it causes.... cervical dysplasia. Once treated, the virus does remain and can reactivate and cause more cervical abnormalities at any time. But only 5% of women who have the LEEP will see a reactivation and reoccurance.


Also more aggressive and persistant strains will often reactivate and cause a redevelopment of cervical dysplasia.


You should talk with your doctor about testing your abnormal cells for HPV DNA (like I said some doctors don't do it)... it is important for you to know if you have a high risk or low risk strain.


A good book you may also want to read is "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Abnormal Paps and HPV". It goes into why doctors don't talk about it or test patients for it... and why women have reoccurances after LEEPs and all that. You can get at a bookstore in the women's health section or order it online at amazon.com.


I hope this helped some! Good luck!


megan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2003
Mon, 11-24-2003 - 4:46pm
Thanks for the additional info, but with the first "bad" result my gyno tested the abnormal cells. No HPV ... However, about five years ago I had a spot that was tested and diagnosed as herpes. The problem is that in the last five years I have had only one "outbreak" (I use that word cautiously because it was one small blister). I felt fortunate but now I am wondering if my actual "outbreaks" are internally and thus the continuous abnormal pap results? Has anyone heard of this happening before?