laser and leep procedures

• By autumnleaves
• Posted October 23, 2009 at 11:43 am
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I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago due to cervical dysplasia, cause by HPV. A year and a half later I developed vaginal dysplasia and had a laser vaporization, back in April. My understanding there is a difference between a laser and leep. With my procedure, I was under general anesthesia.
I'm not sure of the outcome of it, I go back to see my gyn/onc next month.

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• By flowershoplady
• Posted October 23, 2009 at 2:33 pm
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yes, laser and leep are two different types of methods of removing abnormal tissue. if you go to webmd.com, there are some good explanations of these procedures. AND, your doctor should provide you with a description of your upcoming surgery. i'm sorry to hear you're going through this.....let us know how you're doing!

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• By rzak1963
• Posted October 23, 2009 at 5:26 pm
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Thank you so much for the replies!!! Yea, I'm a little bummed I'm going through this... and its my fault I don't have the answers I need. My doctor asked me "if I had any questions" but I was so stunned that I couldn't even think... let alone come up with questions I needed answers too!! Of course a day later I had a million of them, most importantly : is what I have already turned to cancer cells? I'm guessing since he's consulting an oncologist, the answer to that is yes. ( when I went to get my results, he said it was sooo much worse than he thought it would be.... that it was "very very severe dysplasia" but he didn't really give me a "term" I could look up.)
I am pouring through posts on this..... and I will keep y'all posted on my story now and then!! Thanx soooo much!!

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• By flowershoplady
• Posted October 23, 2009 at 9:30 pm
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rzak, it's not too late to ask your doctor all of your questions. he should explain pros and cons, why he's recommending what he's recommending, and you should get a copy of your medical records so you can better understand your test results. vaginal dysplasia has similar levels as cervical dysplasia, and rather than being called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), it's called vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN). there's also VIN for vulvar dysplasia. if he's saying that you have severe dysplasia, it would be VAIN3.....but best to ask! and, i'm assuming he's also done an hpv test when he was doing your pap? i would encourage you to write down your questions so you can stay focused on getting your answers....it's easy to 'forget' when we're stressed. let us know how you're doing!

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• By taylor1
• Posted October 24, 2009 at 7:13 am
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Dear rzak1963

I am sorry that you are going through this. and i hope the laser procedure take care of the dysplasia. I want you to know that you are not alone. I had my hysterectomy in july 2008 for the same issue (dysplasia), but Unfortunately, i had to deal with issue again and i found out i havd Vagina dysplasia. I had a laser ablation which is kind of like evaporition and that is a difference between LEEP and Laser. With laser there is no tissue or cells to send to the lab which with the LEEP is otherwise. They burn the surface of the skin with laser. I had mine in February due to Mild dysplasia and of course 6 months later my pap shows the same issue. I just had another procedure Yesterday. It went very well, but this time i had lots of problem due to anestisia. I was nauseating for foew hours even after they inject me with anti nausia medicin. I go in for a post op check up in 3 weeks and will have a pap in 3 months and i am hoping this time the laser has taken care of dysplaia.

You see with laser you will not have any pain or discomfort post surgery. you just need to rest that day to let the anesthetic to get out of your system. I wish you the best of luck and hope all goes well with the procedure. When are you going to have it done? by the way, my doctor is an oncologist too although my issyue was always dysplasia, but i prefered to see an oncologist so if your doctor is willing to discuss your case with an oncologist that does not mean you have cancer, but if would be wise if you talk to your doctor regarding your pap result to get a peace of mind.

God bless and please let us know.

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• By flowershoplady
• Posted October 24, 2009 at 1:42 pm
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taylor, i'm surprised that you're having surgery for mild vaginal dysplasia....have you considered doing a watch and wait type approach?usually mild dysplasia will clear on its own. your gynecologic oncologist can monitor you via colposcopies. and, the biopsies themselves remove at least some of the dysplasia, and they also create a response in your system that can help clear the remaining dysplasia. do you know if you're hpv positive? during a careful watchful period, you can take active steps to help your body to clear the hpv and/or dysplasia. and, do you know if you have vaginal atrophy? that can contribute to creating a 'good' environment for the virus as well as dysplasia. hope that helps! knowledge is power!

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• By taylor1
• Posted October 25, 2009 at 8:33 am
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Hi flowershoplady,

I am sorry i typed it wrong. It is moderate dysplasia. If you recall, i had my hysterectomy in July 2008, but i never had a clear pap since then and always came back as moderate dysplasia. I had a laser procedure done in February and this was the second one which i hope it cleared the dysplasia this time. I was using estrogen cream for 3 months and i was on wait and watch for a while because my doctor though the abnormal result could be attributed to some scar tissue, but ofcourse the biopsy indicated otherwise. I know that some people after hysterectomy don't get to experience dysplasia any more but in my case that did not happen. I remember you had mild dysplasia for a year post your hysterectomy and thank God your pap results are normal again.
I send you many gentle hugs and thanks for thinking of me.

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• By flowershoplady
• Posted October 25, 2009 at 10:12 am
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taylor, sorry to hear this, and i hope you're soon gettig normal paps and negative hpv test results!

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• By rzak1963
• Posted October 26, 2009 at 1:31 am
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Thank you so much everyone for your input!! Yes, he did the hpv test with my pap and it was positive, which I was surprised about because I've been only with my husband for the last 14 years.... but my ob/gyn says I could have been carrying it that long, (is that true?) and I know my ex-husband was unfaithful.... so he probably gave it to me (I could just kill him for that!) Ok, not kill him, but ya know!!!
Anyway..... my surgery isn't until Nov 13th, so unfortunately I have time to sit and stew over this until then, haha!! Thanx again you guys!!!!!!

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