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Original poster

What happens after a loop biopsy for pre-cancerous cells in the cervix

24 replies

pippypoppypanda · 20/08/2008 20:17

My mum had treatment today as she had severe abnormalities diagnosed after her colposcopy. She has to wait 4 weeks for results, what does this mean? Is the loop biopsy a form of treatment for these cells, im a bit worried as it all sound very serious

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 20/08/2008 20:19

She'll get the result from the biopsy and from there it can be determined what, if any, further action needs to be taken.

She may need no further treatment, she may need repeat smear in 6 months, etc.

It all depends on the biopsy results.

meglet · 20/08/2008 20:49

It will be able to tell her what level changes are happening in the cervix. I think the scale goes from abnormal cells, CIN1, CIN2, CIN3. then cancerous cells.

I had problems 4 years ago and had CIN3 cells, had LETZ treatment on them twice (can't remember if that's the cutting one or the laser) and quite a lot of my cervix was taken out. I have had coloposcopies every 6 months since and all been fine. It was very very scary at the time though. I hope your mum gets her results soon and they are ok.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 20/08/2008 20:53

What meg and Expat said.

I have had loop diathermy, 6 monthly smears and have recently graduated to yearly smears.

Hope she gets the results soon, and they are ok

Original poster

pippypoppypanda · 23/08/2008 08:53

She was diagnosed with CIN3 but she's convinced that the results she gets in 4 weeks are going to tell her she has cancer..... I thought that CIN3 was the result and that the loop biopsy removed these cells

OP posts:

neolara · 23/08/2008 09:02

I had loop biopsy for CIN3 a few years ago. My understanding was that the biopsy was primarily to make sure that they had removed all of the affected area - they check that there is a thick ring of normal cells all the way around the abnormal ones. I think it would be very unusual to find out at this stage that it was more serious than CIN3.

I had 6 monthly smears for a year or two after and now yearly. I know of a number of people who have had the procedure and have had no problems afterwards at all. It takes years and years for CIN3 to develop into cancer and even if it was left untreated a large percentage of people would not develop cancer at all.

Maybe your mum could talk to someone at the colposcopy clinic for reassurance? Where I was, their was a specialist nurse who I could ring up and talk through any concerns I had.

nicbly · 08/05/2009 21:38

Hi I am 25 and i recently had a smear which came back abnormal and i was referred to colposcopy. I was advised that i had severe abnormalities and they took a biopsy. I got a ltr yesterday confirming the results of the biopsy that it was CIN3 and i have an appt for next week for the LOOP biopsy.

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/05/2009 22:53

i had cin3 twice and all fine now - have been clear for several years and back to 3yrly smears

your mum will have to wait about 4 weeks and then depending on result, what course of action to be next

it is scarey not knowing, and esp with what happend to jade - but remember that she ignored her bleeding and symptoms

Heathcliffscathy · 08/05/2009 22:54

can you believe that a private gyn did a loop excision on me for CIN1???

i wish i'd known then that it was totally unnecessary!

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/05/2009 22:55

seems a bit extreme - normally with cin1 you wait 6mths and have repeat smear

Heathcliffscathy · 08/05/2009 23:23

duh, yeah....

makes me so angry now...

Joolyjoolyjoo · 08/05/2009 23:29

I've recently had treatment for CIN2. My understanding was that the CIN no was based on the cells they found at your smear (and how abnormal they were), while the biopsy can tell to a greater extent if they were cancerous/ pre-cancerous. Mine were pre-cancerous, which means I need another colposcopy in 6mth. But I gathered that even if they WERE cancerous, the loop diathermie thing that they do should have removed them all, and she'll be recalled for a rpt colposcopy/ biopsy/ treatment in 6 months.

From what I read cervical cancers are very slow growing compared to other types, so if you keep going for the treatment etc it has a really good chance of being completely cured. Good luck to your mum anyway

7074 · 05/06/2009 10:30

I had my first colposcopy appt yesterday and the doc did a loop biopsy there and then. Do I presume I had CIN3? It was a sizeable piece he took out too!

I believe in positive thinking, although I dont do much of it but I try. Our body and mind are amazing things and I believe with positive thoughts you can get through anything. Dont worry until you need to worry .

Good luck to everyone waiting for results.

sandrella · 26/09/2009 15:55

I had CIN3 abnormalities and went for loop biopsy 2 weeks ago, waiting results it is a very scary and worrying time for anyone but i made myself really poorley worrying about it and ended up having to take strong anti depression tablets for five days i stopped eating etc, wish i had read all this good news before. thanks to everyone for sharing

BellaNoirisanAunty · 26/09/2009 21:56

Cytology identifies an abnormality and gives a 'rough' idea of the grading.
The colposcope (a special microscope) is then used to magnify the cervix so it can be more closely examined.
The colposcopic appearance will have been CIN3 but it then needs to be confirmed by histological assessment. This is why they will ask to remove some tissue for assessment. The loop or LLETZ is for assessment and treatment. The dr/colposcopist is more likely to offer a LLETZ if they think the changes on the cervix are CIN2 or CIN3. Some areas do go for a biopsy first to confirm, then LLETZ rather than straight to LLETZ.

Only a very a small number of women with an initial assessment of CIN3 will actually turn out to have cancer, it varies but is approx 1%, so fingers crossed your Mum will be ok.

BellaNoirisanAunty · 26/09/2009 21:57

And now I notice the OP is from Aug 08.

PurpleLostPrincess · 27/09/2009 02:09

Still helpful Bella .

I had LETZ treatment for CIN2 about ten years ago, had regular smears after that (all clear)but then had a smear that came back with CIN3 cells in July. I went for colposcopy treatment but they took a biopsy and we agreed not to do the LETZ again as I've had other complications and I'm now waiting for a date for a hysterectomy. Strangely, the biopsy was 'inconclusive' because it was taken from the wrong part of the cervix !?!

BellaNoirisanAunty · 27/09/2009 23:21

Hi Princess I've replied on your other thread. It's a bit of a tricky one to explain...

MrsT1979 · 08/10/2009 23:07

Hello

For over 3years now i have been having 6monthly smear tests and keep being told it is only minor changes. I went back for another appointment today and found out it had gone from CN1 to CN3. Is this normal? they have now done a loop biopsy

kesx · 06/03/2011 16:11

ive recently had a colposcopy and biopsy done and come back with results of cen1, cin2 and cin3 and have been told im to have a loop biopsy. but i maybe pregnant and wondered how this will affect it...will it be safe or cause a miscarriage? also i have an irrational fear of hospitals and couldnt cope with the injection down there, could i ask to be put asleep?

BelaLugosiinStripes · 06/03/2011 19:31

Hi
Did you tell the colposcopy that you might be pregnant at the time of biopsy and if so what did they say?
If you're booked into have a loop/LLETZ then it would be best to give them a call to discuss whether they want to proceed with treatment. Dependent on your individual history then they may go for monitoring you (i.e doing repeat colposcopies) until you're into the post-natal period.

A GA can be given to have LLETZ but it does make it more complicated. Coming round from a GA can be unpleasant as well.

Main thing is give your colp unit staff a call to discuss it further.

kesx · 06/03/2011 21:07

no i wasnt pregnant at the time of my colposcopy ive tried to phone the clinic but only got answer phone, would it be wise to delay treatment for 9mnths? i will discuss it with the hospital.. realy couldnt do it awake , im terrified.

BelaLugosiinStripes · 06/03/2011 22:03

Hi kesx
I would try giving them a ring tomorrow - the staff are used to these situations, it does happen!
I have known treatment to be delayed to post-partum, it does depend on individual situations though; mention that you'd prefer a GA as well.

Although I work in screening, I've also had treatment myself (as have a fair few round these threads). For the most part, so long as appropriate local anaesthetic is given it doesn't really hurt but is uncomfortable. However everyone is different and you know how you feel.

Hope you have a useful and supportive talk with the colposcopy staff.

michelle3030 · 07/04/2011 17:28

I had an abnormal smear so had a pinch biopsy 3 months ago the results came back as cin3. Yest i went and had a loop biopsy, i HATE injections but it really wasnt as bad as id imagined. My advice is to take some one (partner, close friend etc) in with u for the treatment and jst talk to them. And wigggle ur toes thats what they told me to do and it really did stop me thinking bout what was goin on. It wasnt pleasant but it wasnt as no where near as bad as i thought it would be. If u have general (if they do it) ud have to stay in for longer, i was in and out within twenty mins and now its all done. Good luck

Dommy · 07/04/2011 18:44

Abnormal cells are common and although might need laser treatment or a diathermy loop excision, it does not mean you have cancer, but they may need treating just in case they develop. Unless your Mums doctor has said they're looking for something sinister, she should try not to worry and wait for the results. Thousand of us have had this op.

If though like my MIL it does turn out to be more serious, this can be treated - possibly with a larger op such as a hysterectomy. MIL is now 30 years post op and doing A OK and dandy.

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