Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 2 replies
  • Views 552 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Lletz tomorrow, do they treat the entire cervix area?

BetsyRV
Offline

Hi,

I am having the Lletz procedure tomorrow for CIN3 moderate. I had very inconsistent results, smear 1 low grade, smear 2 high grade, colposcopist could only visualise low grade yet biopsy came back as CIN3 moderate!  So my question is; if the colpocopist can't visualise the high grade cells how are they removed? Or is the whole surface area of the cervix removed? By having the whole area done am I in for extra pain and bleeding? 
 

The local anaesthetic needle is making me feel nauseous, surely this has to be rather painful? A needle into the cervix!!
Also I'm struggling emotionally with this procedure and the recovery.  In the whole scheme of things I know sex isn't the biggest deal but the 4 weeks sex ban is rather upsetting for my very active and intimate relationship. 

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    I am sorry to hear that you need treatment to remove abnormal cells on your cervix and I can appreciate you have some questions.

    The colposcopy will allow the specialist nurse or doctor to see the cervix in detail and where the abnormal cells are. The LLETZ procedure will remove all of the abnormal area, this is unlikely to mean that all of the cells on the cervix will be removed. Then all of these cells are sent to a pathologist to check them out under a microscope to se what level of abnormality (CIN) there is and to make sure all of the abnormal area has been removed.

    Having a LLETZ procedure done is understandably something that can be a worrying. The team carrying this out will spend time explaining what will happen and will be there to support you.  You might find information from another charity called Jo's Trust gives some helpful advice about having it it done, you can see it here 

    Unfortunately after having the treatment there is a risk of infection and bleeding. To minimise the risk of infection people are asked not to have penetrative sex for a few weeks. You colposcopy team will advise you about this.

    I hope you will okay.

    Take care,

    Caroline

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Caroline

    Thank you Caroline. The procedure was yesterday, not going to lie it was pretty awful and emotionally very traumatic. 
     

    The fact that in my 1st colposcopy only low grade cells could be visualised it still makes no sense to me that during the lletz procedure only high grade cells are removed, as they couldn't  be seen. Only came up on biopsy.  What actually happens, which I don't think many understand, is that it's literally a chunk of cervix removed. I watched the procedure on a video, quite shocking!

    Anyway it's done now, and although I am sore and with cramps, there's no bleeding, so hopefully it will stay that way. The lack of sex is going to be a very upsetting and frustrating 4 weeks, but ultimately it's better than cervical cancer.

    I do think there is a severe lack of emotional support and clarity of information. For example, removal of cells v cutting out a chunk of tissue is not the same thing. I asked to view the tissue afterwards and it's pretty substantial! If a man had to have the same sliced off the end of his penis I'm damn sure it would come with a general anaesthetic and a sick note! But nope us woman just have to put up with this. 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.