26 years old married with a 4 yr old and 2 yr old. abnormal pap in june, colposcopy in july with bad results, leep in august with results showing CIN3 and severe dysplasia..dr believes he got out all cancer, dysplasia remains in margins. GYN says to have hysterectomy within 3 mths. Oncologist says to have pap, colpo, and leep done again in 2 mths to check for changes.....
so you have a gynecologist recommending a hysterectomy and a gynecologic oncologist recommending watch and wait and then possibly another leep? many doctors will recommend a hysterectomy because they're quick to do hysterectomies without appreciating all of the potential impacts the women may have as a result of the surgery. if you trust the gynecologic oncologist, and you continue to be under his/her watchful eye, it sounds like you may be able to avoid the hysterectomy. i hope that that's the case for you! and, hopefully your dysplasia is gone for good! meanwhile, i would encourage you to learn more about hpv and cervical dysplasia/cancer, and take whatever steps you can take to help clear the active hpv infection (no smoking, eating good for you vegetables including cruciferous veggies with DIM, getting plenty of sleep, avoiding vaginal infection/inflammation particularly while you have an active hpv infection by avoiding tampons and using condoms to avoid reinfection). let us know how you're doing!
I actually am leaning more towards just getting the hysterectomy. I have my two children. It's a hard decision but there are more positives in getting rid of it. I'd get to keep my ovaries. I do terrible with paps, colpos, biopsies...etc..I don't think I can do that every two months nor can i constantly be worrying about what's going on down there. If it's all out..no more worries.
I am learning lots about both topics and am actually planning to do something big to raise money in my community for Awareness and Prevention.
tooyoung, please remember that you will still need to have regular pap smears. vaginal dysplasia is uncommon after a hysterectomy, but it's not rare. the hp virus can still cause problems after a hysterectomy. and, a hysterectomy is major surgery, with major risks, and significant recovery. even with your ovaries remaining, you may have ovarian failure and menopause. other issues include potential hernias, prolapse, bowel/urinary issues, as well as a change to your sexual response and orgasms. second (and third!) opinions about major surgery are very appropriate. knowledge is power!
I agree... Your body is your body but why not trying the less drastic methods first and then see where that takes you. I know it feels like the quick fix would be alot less stressful and worrysome but i do not think a hysterectomy lessens your stress much. It can give you a whole new set of problems. You have to think about the future. And I would always trust a oncologist gyno over just a regular gyno. trust your instincts and think it all the way thru. Because once its done, its done.
I had a vaginal hysterectomy and recovered with no problems. In fact I felt great the next day, but I do regret that I can't have more kids. Even though I am in my 40's and that stage was over for me, for other reasons. But it's something about knowing you can't change your mind, before there was always the option to have more kids if I changed my mind.
a hysto is major surgery...know all the possible things that can/will happen after flowershoplady touched on a few...
what too young???????? I'm only 23 and just turned 23 in sep. and i have cervical cancer
Hi there
I am sorry to hear what you have been thru, and know it's not easy. I too was diagnosed with cervical cancer and am having an abdominal hysterectomy this coming Friday. Not looking forward to it, but will do anything to get rid of the cancer! Like you, I feel it would be so much harder to have to deal with abnormal paps, always wondering, the frustration and anxiety associated to it in every way, and having to go back for treatments if they were unsuccessful. That would drain me and I couldn't live pap smear to pap smear. My onco/gyno said I get to keep my ovaries, and I have had a lot of advice and input from people in the same boat as me, as well as other doctors and I am content that this will be a good option. Vaginal cancer is very rare and although there are risks, these too are not common - compared to the risk of having cancer and compared to the mental strain, it really isn't that bad. However, everyone must do what they feel they must do, to talk to people, your doctors and get information. And then listen to medical advice and make your decision. It's still scary, but I know it won't be as bad as we imagine - as we have already had the worst news we could ever want to hear. Many warm hugs.
Thank you everyone for your responses. It always helps to hear from people who have dealt with this issue rather than from people who want to give their opinions but are lacking the knowledge and experience to give informed opinions. I really am leaning towards having the hysterectomy in Jan. or Feb. I have two great children. My husband had a vasectomy 2 years ago as I knew we both only ever wanted two. It will be emotional knowing I won't have that choice anymore but it will be much more emotional and full of anxiety if I don't have it removed and am always wondering.
Everyone has a right to decide what is right for their own body but I'll just echo what some of the others have said. Hysterectomy is major surgery with numerous risks that aren't that uncommon (not to forget the very real sexual side effects) and in my opinion, is overkill for CIN3 dysplasia and even CIS (carcinoma in situ) which is really a dysplasia and not cancer since it isn't invasive. For 95% of women a LEEP or cone biopsy will be completely curative for CIN and CIS, having a hysterectomy does not mean you won't still have to have regular paps in the future. You still will, because while vaginal and/or vulva dysplasia/cancer might not be common it really isn't rare. Many women here have had a hysterectomy and still have wound up with either VaIN or VIN following the hysterectomy. Even if the margins aren't clear, for the majority of women a second LEEP or cone biopsy will rid the remaining dysplasia and you could possibly not have another occurence of dysplasia ever. There are other options is all I want you to think about. Even women here who have early invasive cancer have elected to have trachelectomy with less risks and side effects and still preserving the possibility to preserve future children. Either way, no matter what happens from this point on you will always have to have regular smears because you never know. Best wishes to you.
Hi. I would love for you to go to www.hersfoundation.org
It helped me decide NOT to have a hysterectomy and it showed me the other alternatives besides that.
Good luck and God Bless
TooYoung4CC,
I am glad that you brought up being informed about a hysterectomy.
Some things you may want to look into:
1) sexual side effects - when the cervix & uterus is removed the ability to experience uterine contractions during orgasm is gone. The sensation of 'tapping' against the cervix and its sexual function is gone. The lubrication that is provided by the cervix is gone. The vagina can be shortened as a result of the method of hysterectomy that is done which can result in painful sex.
2) The uterus and cervix offer support to other organs in the pelvis including the bladder, rectum and intestine. When the uterus and cervix are removed, the support can be compromised and pelvic prolapse can occur. The vaginal tissue becomes weaker and the bladder & rectum press inward against the vagina causing a palpable lump, or cystocele or rectocele. The small intestine can press downward on the apex of the vaginal cuff causing an enterocele. Subsequent pelvic surgeries may be necessary to correct these defects depending on severity of symptoms, etc. Urinary & bowel problems can be a result of this and/or from damage done when nerve & blood supply is severed during hysterectomy.
3) Ovarian failure and early menopause can occur d/t hysterectomy, even with ovaries retained.
These are just some of the changes and side effects that can occur. Some women will not experience problems until later - years later. I do not want to scare you, but it is worth researching before making such a major decision. Also, did your dr explain to you that having a hysterectomy is elective surgery? You will sign a form called informed consent. Please be sure that you are indeed informed, because your dr is released of any liability and a hysterectomy is irreversible. Keeping you in my thoughts & prayers.
It's too bad that cancer doesn't know our ages, isn't it? Cancer can effect the youngest to the oldest...
I too am in a similar situation. My pap showed high grade changes so I had a colpo with biopsies and ECC. All the samples came back as severe dysplasia, CIN-3. My doctor is very concerned that it may be invasive cancer still and at first recommended considering a hysterectomy. I have had this doctor for 7 years and we have a very close relationship. I know she wants what is best for me. But after examining my path more closely she said the dysplasia cells are in the glands of my endocervical canal and has decided that I should proceed with a cone biopsy so we can see exactly what we are dealing with. If it is invasive cancer then it makes a difference in what kind of hysterectomy and other treatment I should have. I have the cone biopsy scheduled for tomorrow and I am starting to freak out! I really feel your desire to have a hysterectomy. I just want it out. I realize it's a serious surgery and all the risks, etc. I work in the medical field and I have educated myself extensively since this diagnosis. I'm glad we're doing the cone biopsy first and my doctor is hopeful that we'll get clear margins and it'll not only be diagnostic but curative as well. Please keep us updated and I will also update once I get my path results. I think that is the hardest part, all the waiting! Take care!
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