Abnormal smear

[Dubbs]

Can anyone help please, I had an abnormal smear about 12 months ago, which following a LLETZ I was told I'd had CGIN (High Grade) but it was believed all the cells had been removed successfully.

At my follow up appt, they had great difficulty getting a sample which resulted in an inadequate result. My follow up appt they had to make a small cut to get a result, which whilst incredibly painful came back with a clear result. Huge relief, but my consultant said she wanted to discuss my results at a MDT meeting.

I've since had a letter saying the results are now showing borderline changes, and she wants to have a close look in the cervial canal under general anesthetic.

I'm relatively calm about the general but spiralled into panic, that I might have something signifcantly wrong, ie cervical cancer.

has anyone had any similar experience, and can give some words of comfort, I'm terrified.

I'm pretty sure that borderline changes doesn't mean cervical cancer.

Can you ring your consultant and ask her what the meeting signifies? Are you to be present at the meeting or not (am assuming not).

I would be surprised if it was anything serious. Hopefully one of the two MNers who give great advice on smear test threads will see this and be able to offer you some advice. :)

I had a LLETZ 10 years ago for CIN 3 cell changes & have gone on to have several borderline changes & abnormal smears since then.

They decided not to treat but to monitor with 6 monthly smears & colposcopies when necessary. For the last 3 or so years my test results have been consistently clear.

My understanding is that if it's caused by the HPV virus, it can take up to 10 years for your immune to rid itself of the virus & therefore some people can continue to get cervical cell changes.

I also had some lifestyle changes (gave up smoking, exercise more etc), plus I've had the same partner for 6 years too, which I think has helped.

I know it's hard not to worry but it sounds like they are on top of things & monitoring you closely. For me these changes have come & gone over the years but seem to have resolved on their own. Hope yours does too.

Thankyou both for that. I've been reading up more and keep reminding myself that whilst CGIN is quite serious, it's not cancer. The consultant wasn't able to sample the canal this time following the LLETZ which is why she's proposing doing it under a general.

I'm feeling a bit better, thankyou.

Treatment for CGIN tends to mean that slightly more cervix is removed - a bit further into the cervical canal. Unfortunately as you've found this can also mean that stenosis (tightening) occurs during or after the healing process. Getting enough cells and enough of the right types of cells for adequate follow up samples can also be tricky.
Did they say whether the borderline change was in squamous or endocervical cells?
Sometimes if its been quite difficult to get the sample (e.g. making a cut in the case of your most recent sample) then this can alter the cells making them difficult to read and that can also be a reason for borderline changes.
As rodeoshoes says it may be that your body is still in the process of clearing the HPV infection and that can show as borderline changes.
The consultant is looking after you by trying to make sure they get a really good sample the next time. I hope this goes well.

They didn't say anything about the type of change, but from what everyone has said I feel much calmer than I did this morning, thank you so much..