I was recently pregnant that ended in miscarriage, where my pap (again) indicated dysplasia, although this time much more significant. So after I healed from the miscarriage I had a LEEP done and my dr. nurse called me yesterday and said that the lab showed it wasn't cancer but was close. I was then referred to the Onco/Gyno specialist (I have seen him before for a molar pregnancy).
I wonder.. what does "not cancer but close" mean? I had it out with the clinic secretary who wouldn't let me talk to the nurse or doctor but only left them a message and kept re-iterating "it jsut says not cancer but close". I know dang well the lab report did not say that.
Im just wondering what to expect. My husband and I were planning on TTC again after this leep heals, but now Im wondering whats in store with my cervix.
Anyone have any ideas what this means and what the next step is?
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What does this mean? "Not cancer but close"
- By aea77
- Posted October 30, 2009 at 12:18 pm · 6 replies
- In Cervical cancer stages and treatment
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Surgery Hysterectomy Ativan Miscarriage Pregnancy Anxiety Pain HPV
6 replies
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- By JBO713
- Posted October 30, 2009 at 12:30 pm
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First off she is just a nurse and shouldn’t have said that. Its probably CIN III or CIS which is right before it turns into cancer but that doesn’t mean that it is going to. You need to get a copy of your results.
- By aea77
- Posted October 30, 2009 at 1:02 pm
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So, say it is CINII or CIS.. what are the treatment options?
- By JBO713
- Posted October 30, 2009 at 1:40 pm
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The treatment is a Leep which you already had. You need to find out if your margins were clear, it should state that in the results. Did they say anything to you about the margins? I would try calling your doctor again or maybe the oncologist can make things a little clearer for you. That has to be a pain not getting a straight answer from them because all they did was make you worry and didn’t even give you an answer as to how the leep went.
- By aea77
- Posted October 30, 2009 at 1:57 pm
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Exactly how I feel. I have called the office twice. Yesterday the twit secretary acted like "not cancer but close" was the pathology report. I asked to have someone call me yesterday and again today I asked to have someone call me. The are also supposed to be making the appt with the specialist for me. Haven't heard about that yet either.
I just want to know if they got it all and since it was severe they want my further follow up paps with the specialist, or did they not and can I expect further treatment now done.
Once I see the oncologist things will be plain as day. I've seen him before and he's great at explaining what's going on. But that could be a month from now for all I know.
I guess I just wait.
Say they didn't get it all... next treatment would be... am I looking at a hysterectomy here? That's what I want to know.
And I guess baby making should be on hold till I know what I'm dealing with,huh? Am I at the stage where time is of the essence as far as treating the "not cancer but close"??
I know, you guys aren't my doc. Im just full on anxiety and questions and no one to answer them.
Its the baby thing. I feel Im just starting to put those feeling away with the miscarriage, hopeful of the future when we could try again, and now BAM... redealing with the miscarriage in the light of "that was our chance, their may be no more chances".
seems like time for another ativan! lol.
Thanks for reading if you have. :)
- By flowershoplady
- Posted October 30, 2009 at 7:22 pm
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i would encourage you to get a more precise answer, whether you need to talk with the doctor, and/or, get a copy of the pathology results. clearly the nurse isn't reading a pathologist's report. they're your records, and you can get a copy. the pathology report from the leep will indicate not only the degree of dysplasia, but also if that was found throughout, and whether the margins were clear. if the margins weren't clear, all the dysplasia may still have been removed because leep edges aren't definitive like it would be with a cold knife (scalpel) conization. and, no, hysterectomy wouldn't need to be the next step, if you need to have additional surgery....you could still have another leep and/or conization. but, one step at a time....find out your results, and recommended next steps. if you should need additional surgery, then you want to see a gynecologic oncologist. meanwhile, keep learning about hpv and ways to help your body clear the hpv infection....the longer the hpv infection is active, the more likely that dysplasia/cancer will develop. things that help clear hpv include no smoking, avoiding vaginal infection/inflammation, avoiding tampons, using condoms, getting plenty of sleep, and having a healthy diet filled with good for you vegetables. also, keep in mind that being pregnant seems to provide a 'good' 'environment for hpv. hope that helps....and let us know how you're doing.
- By meliza4
- Posted October 31, 2009 at 11:01 am
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GET A COMPLETE COPY OF YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS!!! Everyone should be doing that. I asked for a complete copy when I was diagnosed in June '09 with dysplasia and that's when I found out I had HPV. I didn't even know I had an STD until then. My dr. had downplayed all the abnormal pap results and just told me to keep getting tested every 3-6 mo!
The copies cost me about $37, but it was worth it! I went through everything chronologically to try to understand my condition. Even though I do not understand all the technical terms, I was able to read that I was first diagnosed w/ HPV back in 2007! So, I then realized which partner had infected me, since I was currently going out w/ someone else this past year. (I've told both of them to be careful with new partners.) I was also mad that I was not fully informed on my condition. Had I known that simple HPV could turn into pre-cancerous cells, I would've started to make the major changes in my life with regards to diet and exercise back in 2007!
Now that I have a complete copy of my file, I simply ask the nurse to fax me the latest pathology reports whenever she calls to let me know my results. The dr. office does not charge me for faxing 1 or several copies to me. My mother has been asking for copies of all her results for years now, so she's been able to maintain a complete set of her records without any cost.
Everyone, please get informed on your own medical history!!!
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