Can Cervical Cancer be picked up from a routine colposcopy following abnormal cells?

[AllQuietOnThePippisFront]

Hi,

I wonder if you can give me your stories.

I have been told I have abnormal cells and I understand the pre-cancer stages and the treatement.

what I cannot understand is whether sometimes those abnormal cells can be already cancer.

tia.

Yes, it is possible, but more likely not to be the case. If you already have cancer, this will be picked up by the testing done at your colposcopy following the abnormal smear, because they take a biopsy of the affected area at the follow-on colposcopy rather than a tiny sweep of cervical cells which may or may not include any abnormal ones (which is more or less what a smear test does).

Thanks rabbit. That is what I had done today, the colposcopy and it showed a lot of abnormal cells. The did a biopsy. I was shocked at first because I really did not expect it. I am worried about that option.

I'm due to have this done on 28th Jan and am worrying about it too

Hi
The colposcopists' association has a useful website here.
Jo's trust also has lots of information and a forum for women with cervical abnormalities and cancer.

Rabbitstew is right that a biopsy is needed to get a better idea of what's happening. The cervical smear is cells removed from the surface of the cervix (with the plastic broom); the biopsy takes all the layers of skin to give a fuller picture.

Did the colposcopy staff give you a follow-up appt and info leaflet?

AllQuiet - don't get panicked by the word "biopsy." Biopsies are not only taken when cancer is suspected - they are taken whenever any sort of abnormality is detected, so as to get a more accurate diagnosis. The biopsy can then confirm the level of the abnormality - the most likely being one of the pre-cancerous levels, eg CIN1, CIN2 or CIN3. Often, the "biopsy" is also the treatment - I've had CIN3 and my biopsy was the removal of the entire abnormal area with a heated wire (LEEP). The biopsy result confirmed that the prior CIN3 smear result had been accurate and that the entire abnormal area had indeed been removed. I then had to go back 6 months later for a repeat colposcopy to check the area had healed and that there was no sign of any further abnormalities, followed by more regular smear tests for the next 9 years.

Rabbit thanks, I am not worried about the word biopsy per se. I am worried of that one possibility. In fact I was not worried at all at first convinced it was just nothing. It seems to me by looking at it that it was quite a large area too. I got leaflets yes, but they all refer to the CIN1 2 and 3. There's nothing that give you the idea that those cells mght already be cancerous.

The consultant told me that for what she can see it looks moderate to severe dyskariosis and that we'll wait the result from the bopsy.

I have checked that website Bela but not gone into the forum. Maybe I will. Maybe I will just wait the result.
I guess it will be nice to hear other stpries. I am a bit shocked because for once I did go into this without pre-worrying. I truly believe that she'd say 'oh it's absolutely fine!' like in the case for most hospital apts. I also did not know that you see it from the monitor, all very interesting but shocking with such knews...

One thing I do not understand is why they did not do the procedure there and then, as sometimes they do.

Thanks you all.

Rabbit thanks, I am not worried about the word biopsy per se. I am worried of that one possibility. In fact I was not worried at all at first convinced it was just nothing. It seems to me by looking at it that it was quite a large area too. I got leaflets yes, but they all refer to the CIN1 2 and 3. There's nothing that give you the idea that those cells mght already be cancerous.

The consultant told me that for what she can see it looks moderate to severe dyskariosis and that we'll wait the result from the bopsy.

I have checked that website Bela but not gone into the forum. Maybe I will. Maybe I will just wait the result.
I guess it will be nice to hear other stpries. I am a bit shocked because for once I did go into this without pre-worrying. I truly believe that she'd say 'oh it's absolutely fine!' like in the case for most hospital apts. I also did not know that you see it from the monitor, all very interesting but shocking with such knews...

One thing I do not understand is why they did not do the procedure there and then, as sometimes they do.

Thanks you all.

Colposcopy units vary in practice as to what investigation and treatment they offer at first visit.
Some units will (almost) always do a biopsy (i.e. small bit of tissue) rather than a LLETZ first. If it's a large area that would need treating, then it may be that they want to confirm that it is high grade dyskaryosis before going ahead.

There are different opinions in colposcopy as to whether 'see and treat', 'select and treat' or 'assess then treat' is the best option so that's why you'll see women having different experiences when they've attended colposcopy.
E.g the North East and North West of the UK will invariably do a biopsy at first visit whereas East Anglia tends to LLETZ at first visit.

I do welcome the furthers test before any treatment anyway. So I am happy about all they do. You know how it is whatever they said or done gets played over and over in your head for clues about what your future holds... mad but that's how it is.

Annoyed now that instead of finishing my essay I have speant all evening surfing medical websites. will stop now.

thanks again.

It is the depth to which the abnormality goes that indicates the severity, not the surface area it covers, plus, of course, what looks like a huge area on a colossally magnified image is, in reality, probably very small. Did the consultant describe it as a large area, or did it just look that way to you on the screen?

No point telling you not to worry, because I know from experience that's impossible, but it is a bit of a waste of energy!

Rabbit you are absolutely right. I will not think about it anymore. Easier if I had gone to uni and felt at the top of my game, instead I come down with flu yesterday and so now, in bed with rain pouring down, what better ectivity there is for me than feeling miserable about oneself?

Oh well, if you've got the flu you'll be feeling too ill with that to have the energy to worry about anything else! . I hope you get better soon and that the results come back quickly.

Sorry to hijack your thread but was about to start my own but figured people on here would know the answer! I had a colposcopy yesterday ... Am a bit of an old hand as have had them for years and years with no problem. That said yesterday's was a tad different and I am bleeding for first time ... More than spotting and enough to need protection. Can I use tampons? Is there likely to be any reason why it's getting heavier? Thanks.

Bump

Usually the advice is not to use tampons - the treated area will be healing and scabbing over. It can bleed for a few days - often darker blood, or brown, and there can be tissue fragments as well.
Did the colposcopy staff give you an aftercare leaflet? There's usually a phone number to contact if you're having problems.

Info here re post treatment.

Can I ask you a furtehr question? Would a CT scan detect any cancer. I had a pelvic one done a few months ago to check ovaries etc and came clear. Would this help me stopping worrying?
I know I prob sound mad but as long as I am busy doing trivialities I don't think about it is only hen I am alone that each and every worst possible scenario pops into my head.

thank you belalugos I will read that information. I have been having these for years now and have never been given any after care information at all!

bodiddly - just to add, that I assumed you'd had a LLETZ but on re-reading your post, you didn't state what treatment you'd had. The above applies for a LLETZ, probably a little less with a punch biopsy but it does vary person to person. If it continues or you get smelly/odd coloured discharge then you need to give colposcopy a ring or see your GP (could be an infection).

AllQuiet - that's difficult one. It depends on how much/which bit of the pelvis was scanned really. It's hard to do but please try not to worry. From the alone bit, then Jo's trust forum might be useful, it's for all women being investigated and there are people who know what you're going through partic re the waiting.

I have had treatment myself a few years ago as my gynae thought I had cervical cancer. Understanding what was going on (with background in screening) didn't stop me worrrying and I know it was the waiting for the results was the worst part. In the end it was CIN not cancer which was a relief.
Hang on in there :)

Thanks Bela, I might try that forum although I know that there's little point as nothing will tell me exactly what's wrong, or not, except for the results themselves. No way of getting a short cut.

I am glad yours was a false alarm btw.

I wanted to give you an update as you've all been so helpful and nice to me.

I got my results back and as expected, by me, I have CIN 3 Severe Dyscaryiosis. I have an apt for the 9th to have a Lletz procedure done.

Because I was worrying about cancer this seems a much better outcome, so not extremely worried. Also a friend had it and had been clear since.

Any more info you can give me are highly welcomed however.

Also because atm I have problems with pelvic floors and constip (sorry tmi) - which I am been seen for - I sometimes worry that it is all connected. I am so fed up with my lower body atm and regret immensely having an epidural done. oh well.

A question: Ideally I would not want anybody in there as surely not pleasant, no so is it okay to be on my own while the procedure is done? Is it advisable for husband or friend to come with me, waiting outside for support? Will I be abe to drive home? How does it feels the next few days? I have lots to study. HMmmm maybe I will get an extention.
luckily my mother will be staying at mine for 3 weeks then so I can get pampered a bit.

• its usually fine for someone to wait for you

-procedure usu is about 20ish mins

• do not drive home as you will feel a bit wobbly
• you may get a period-like pain afterwards, the clinic can advise you on pain relief
• it does bleed for a few days afterwards and you're not supposed to use tampons so stock up with pads
• take it easy the next couple of days, sitting down a lot (studying!) would be ok but if you've been worried and not concentrating then perhaps an extension might be a good idea

re the other issues - has anyone investigated possible endometriosis?

thanks Bela. I will do as you say.

also it is not true that I am not worried. I wasn't then as thought better than the c word but now I am worrying once more. What can you tell me that would make it easier for me. I have read lots and I do understand it is NOT c. But how can they be so sure that they remove all the cells, for example?

I don't think it is that. I had a pelvic floor scan and everythin is okay. I also had a colonoscopy and everything is fine. I suffer from constipation because of a very weak pelvic floor ruined by second birth. So I am seeing a physio.

I truly feel my body is giving up on me.

And because atm I am excercising the brain, who had taken a beating following 3 years at home, I have got no time to concentrating on excersing the body? Does it make sense? It is a shame but there are so many ours in the day...

They can be sure they remove all the abnormal cells because they examine the tissue that has been removed to make sure that they also removed some normal cells around the abnormality - ie did get the full extent of the abnormality. Then a few months later, when the wound has more or less healed, they have another look (at colposcopy) to check it has healed OK and that no further abnormalities are present. Then they do more regular checks on you for the next 9 years, to make sure no further abnormalities appear. So, the chances of any further abnormalities being missed for too long are considerably decreased for you, because you will now have check-ups at least three times more often than most other women.