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Is this for cervical cancer or cells ?

Ninetysix96
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I had my first smear that came back as low grade abnormalities on cervix. During the 5 week wait for colposcopy I was meant to have my coil out (was having this out due to symptoms I now know to be asociated with cancer) so I called the morning and asked doc if I should have it out or wait for colposcopy to tell me if it is something else causing my symptoms and not the coil. Doc told me it will be the coil so come have it removed. Went for it removed and she changed her mind when giving me examination, told me it's unlikely to be the coil causing my symptoms snd that my cervix was swollen, had a red ring round and had a red patch on one side so to wait for colposcopy. Fast forward to yesterday I had colposcopy, they didn't tell me much other than we would like to give you a biopsy, so I had that and off I went, now I have to wait 4-6 weeks for results. I'm kicking myself as I didn't ask questions but is the biopsy to test how bad the cells are before they decide to burn them or is the biopsy to test for cancer? Everyone I know has always had their cells burnt during colposcopy or told its low risk and not had a biopsy and off they've gone, this is why I'm worried. Wondered if anybody could shed some light on this thank you

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    Hi 96,

    When a smear comes back with any abnormalities the biopsies from your colposcopy will be sent off to the pathology lab so that they can confirm or deny those findings. Biopsies are far more detailed than your smear.

     

    As your smear test showed low grade abnormalities it is likely your results will be low grade (CIN I or CIN II). If it is CIN I it's unlikely you'll have any further treatment, but will have more frequent smears, just to see if your body heals itself (most do).

     

    If it's CIN II, it depends on whether there are just, a few CIN II cells, or whether there are more and also where you are in your life, any existing medical conditions, whether you want children in the future. All play a part in whether it is, let's watch and wait to see if it fixes itself or not.

     

    If you have high grade abnormal cells found like CGIN or CIN III, then it is likely that a LLETZ will be recommended. This will remove a small portion of your cervix and that portion will also be sent to the pathology lab to ensure they have removed everything.

     

    On the basis you have been identified as having low grade abnormal cells, it's likely you will have more regular smears and nothing more.

     

    I'm not a medical expert, I've just learnt a lot fr Jo's cervical cancer Trust forums as there are many people on their going through smear tests, Colposcopy biopsies and more.

     

    Good luck with your results x

  • Offline in reply to LavenderLemon

    Thank you @lavenderlemon, so do they always do biopsies during a colposcopy then? The doctor who was going to take my coil out and told me what my cervix looked like told me they would likely burn any cells the same day and a few of my friends have had colposcopy and told low risk with no biopsy and sent away and the others have had to have cells burnt after the colposcopy like doc said, the first leaflet for colposcopy says sometimes they will take biopsy, this is why I'm worrying. :( thankyou

  • Offline in reply to Ninetysix96

    If abnormal cells have been found on your smear test then usually yes. 

     

    On the basis they said you could be treated there and then, that's great news! As they clearly didn't see anything visible that caused them to treat you there and thrn and just took a biopsy to be absolutely sure you don't need treatment. 

     

    If you are having a colposcopy for other medical reasons, it's unusual for a biopsy to be taken.

     

    X

  • Offline in reply to LavenderLemon

    Ahh brilliant that's such relief thank you. That's what I was trying to work out wether they'd took the biopsy to see if it was bad enough to need treating or wether they thought it was already cancer and that's why they'd not bothered to burn on the same day. She was very vague and I was too shy to ask questions at the time! Thanks again x

  • Offline in reply to Ninetysix96

    You are most welcome. Its such an anxiety inducing time. I hope now you can relax for the next few weeks xx

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