abnormal smear, colposcopy, glandular / endcervical cells

[putthehamsterbackinitscage]

I had a smear back in July, got the letter just beforegoing on holiday and an appointment sent through by the time I got back for colposcopy but due to the "mild" / CIN1 in the smear results letter, didn't really worry about it too much.

So I went for the appointment this week straight from work, and the nurse practitioner who did the colposcopy took a couple of different sorts of biopsies - 4 random punch biopsies plus one other that went into the entrance of the cervix. She said that my cervix itself looked ok externally and the changes were glandular cells of the endocervix...

She said the consultant didn't want to treat there and then, though she had suggested it could have been done - apparently his reasoning was because of affects on future pregnancies etc but I am mid forties and DH had snip after 2nd DC

Tbh by that point I was past asking any sensible questions in terms of what this meant, likely outcomes etc and I didn't see the consultant at all - I just slunk off to the coffee bar for a lattee and chocolate to get myself together before driving home

I have an appointment to go back in mid November for results and I think a possible further biopsy and/or treatment might be likely.

Having read a few threads on here etc, it seems that this is more uncommon and maybe more serious than I first thought? Can anybody tell me what questions I need to ask when I go back in November?

Also, didn't think about it upfront as it all seemed to be getting sorted, but I do have private cover - would I be better off asking for private referral to get things sorted more quickly?

I also have private health cover and in your situation I would definitely go private just for the reassurance and speed as much as anything else.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking.... I didn't really find out enough info and its really playing on my mind - don't really want to wait till mid November for answers

When it is glandular from what I understand it means that it can be harder to find on the normal smear test as the abnormal cells are higher up your cervix so it was good that it was picked up on yours. It is a rarer type of cell change.

If I had private cover then I would go private, I know that my nhs consultant who I saw also is the consultant at the local private hospital and for me he rushed the results through and was excellent but I know of others at different hospitals who have to wait along time for results etc so to help with peace of mind I would go private.

Hope it all goes ok for you.

If this is NHS CSP then you should receive your results by day 28 after the histology (biopsies) were taken. It is a performance standard they are measured by.
As the nurse practitioner has said they think the changes are in the endocervical cells, these are usually processed quicker and are meant to be seen quicker. This is because the area is more tricky to assess. I am surprised that they've asked you to come back in November.
I'd suggest ringing them and asking for an earlier appointment and for them to explain exactly when you'll be getting the bx results. PALS may also be helpful. Be interested to know what answer you get.