Pathology report

recnac_grl
recnac_grl Member Posts: 38
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
this is dottie again. i retrieved my pathology report from my hem'tectomy back in December of 2007 and it reads: "there is a focal area of the squamous epithelium showing high-grade squamous dysplasia (moderate to severe squamous dysplasia). This appears to be an incidental finding, in an area of epithelium that does not have any significant inflammation. Recommend careful clinical correlation."

My surgeon told me there was clear margins, but I don't read that anywhere. Does focal mean tiny ? Meaning it was just that one particular spot? So that means clear margins then?

What do you make of the pathology report? Not too good at deryciphering these things. Any advice would be welcomed. Thank you.

I am trying to get some assistance through the ACS so that I can see my original surgeon for a follow up. That is where I am at right now.
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Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    I'm not sure what focal
    I'm not sure what focal means, but what concerns me is the statement "recommend careful clinical correlation." This means that you should have been evaluated for bad cells in this area. Was any follow-up done?
  • recnac_grl
    recnac_grl Member Posts: 38
    mp327 said:

    I'm not sure what focal
    I'm not sure what focal means, but what concerns me is the statement "recommend careful clinical correlation." This means that you should have been evaluated for bad cells in this area. Was any follow-up done?

    the only follow up
    was one time 3 months later and all the surgeon did was look at my bum, and that's the last time anything was done. this is why i am so concerned. am i right in being worried?
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member

    the only follow up
    was one time 3 months later and all the surgeon did was look at my bum, and that's the last time anything was done. this is why i am so concerned. am i right in being worried?

    I would insist on getting a
    I would insist on getting a follow-up, including DRE and anoscope. Have you had any recent scans?
  • recnac_grl
    recnac_grl Member Posts: 38
    mp327 said:

    I would insist on getting a
    I would insist on getting a follow-up, including DRE and anoscope. Have you had any recent scans?

    No, never
    I have never had any scans done. I will do my best to get in somewhere. I'm unsure about going back to my orig surgeon due to the fact she didn't seem very concerned with follow up with me, but she is a woman and I'm comfortable with that fact. I know that's stupid, but I can't help it. I'm going to try to set up an appointment and will just have to pay cash up front as bests I can. It really is horrible how they treat patients without insurance. Front office told me they would not set up payment plans, I have to have the cash. So, I wonder what happens if I DO ever get sick. Or for people who are sick without insurance yet don't qualify for Medicaid, does our country simply let them perish?
    Thank you so much for answering my post so consistently, it's nice to know and have someone who listens to me and is concerned. I REALLY appreciate it mp.
    warmly,
    dottie
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member

    No, never
    I have never had any scans done. I will do my best to get in somewhere. I'm unsure about going back to my orig surgeon due to the fact she didn't seem very concerned with follow up with me, but she is a woman and I'm comfortable with that fact. I know that's stupid, but I can't help it. I'm going to try to set up an appointment and will just have to pay cash up front as bests I can. It really is horrible how they treat patients without insurance. Front office told me they would not set up payment plans, I have to have the cash. So, I wonder what happens if I DO ever get sick. Or for people who are sick without insurance yet don't qualify for Medicaid, does our country simply let them perish?
    Thank you so much for answering my post so consistently, it's nice to know and have someone who listens to me and is concerned. I REALLY appreciate it mp.
    warmly,
    dottie

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    People will go to the emergency room to get treatment. Non Profit hospitals can not refuse you. All of the illegal immigrants in this country can get medical care by going to the emergency room. If you absolutely had to get treatment and were in pain, you might have to go to an emergency room. I hope this never happens to you, but you might want to investigate the laws in your state and non profit hospitals. I wish you the best with your dr appointment. And hopefully everything will turn out good. Lori
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member

    No, never
    I have never had any scans done. I will do my best to get in somewhere. I'm unsure about going back to my orig surgeon due to the fact she didn't seem very concerned with follow up with me, but she is a woman and I'm comfortable with that fact. I know that's stupid, but I can't help it. I'm going to try to set up an appointment and will just have to pay cash up front as bests I can. It really is horrible how they treat patients without insurance. Front office told me they would not set up payment plans, I have to have the cash. So, I wonder what happens if I DO ever get sick. Or for people who are sick without insurance yet don't qualify for Medicaid, does our country simply let them perish?
    Thank you so much for answering my post so consistently, it's nice to know and have someone who listens to me and is concerned. I REALLY appreciate it mp.
    warmly,
    dottie

    Hi Dottie--
    I wish you the

    Hi Dottie--

    I wish you the very best with your doctor's appt. Since this is going to be quite an expense for you, make sure to get the most out of your time with her. I would suggest going in with all of your questions written down and don't leave until she answers each and every one of them! I used to work for a doctor and know how they blow in and blow out without giving the patient time to even think. I hope it all goes well for you.

    Also, thank you for your kind comments.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member

    No, never
    I have never had any scans done. I will do my best to get in somewhere. I'm unsure about going back to my orig surgeon due to the fact she didn't seem very concerned with follow up with me, but she is a woman and I'm comfortable with that fact. I know that's stupid, but I can't help it. I'm going to try to set up an appointment and will just have to pay cash up front as bests I can. It really is horrible how they treat patients without insurance. Front office told me they would not set up payment plans, I have to have the cash. So, I wonder what happens if I DO ever get sick. Or for people who are sick without insurance yet don't qualify for Medicaid, does our country simply let them perish?
    Thank you so much for answering my post so consistently, it's nice to know and have someone who listens to me and is concerned. I REALLY appreciate it mp.
    warmly,
    dottie

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    Another thought came to me, I have a friend whose wife needed to have a diagnosis for severe female pain. They have no issurance, so they went to a teaching medical college for help. I will be seeing him tonight and I will ask what the payment was. She is fine now as they diagnosed and removed some ovarian cysts. I was also thinking clinical trials, and I know you have not been diagnosed with cancer, but you have hemis, and sometimes they have clinical trials going on for various medical issues. Lori
  • recnac_grl
    recnac_grl Member Posts: 38
    z said:

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    Another thought came to me, I have a friend whose wife needed to have a diagnosis for severe female pain. They have no issurance, so they went to a teaching medical college for help. I will be seeing him tonight and I will ask what the payment was. She is fine now as they diagnosed and removed some ovarian cysts. I was also thinking clinical trials, and I know you have not been diagnosed with cancer, but you have hemis, and sometimes they have clinical trials going on for various medical issues. Lori

    thank you
    thank you Martha and Lori, I will look into that too. I will let you guys know what happens, and if I can get in somewhere. I really appreciate your time so very much. Martha, I chatted you before on another discussion board however I forgot my username so I can't leave any replies there now... crazy right? Anyway, you have always been nice to me there too so thank you again, to the both of you , for everything.
    warmly,
    dottie
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member

    thank you
    thank you Martha and Lori, I will look into that too. I will let you guys know what happens, and if I can get in somewhere. I really appreciate your time so very much. Martha, I chatted you before on another discussion board however I forgot my username so I can't leave any replies there now... crazy right? Anyway, you have always been nice to me there too so thank you again, to the both of you , for everything.
    warmly,
    dottie

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    I just did a search on google and came up with this information:

    Google HRSA.GOV, it pacifically says for people without health insurance. Then theres a site within there that says find a health center near you. It says you pay what you can based on your income. I will still ask my friend about how his wife and him were able to get care.

    Lori
  • recnac_grl
    recnac_grl Member Posts: 38
    z said:

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    I just did a search on google and came up with this information:

    Google HRSA.GOV, it pacifically says for people without health insurance. Then theres a site within there that says find a health center near you. It says you pay what you can based on your income. I will still ask my friend about how his wife and him were able to get care.

    Lori

    hrsa.gov
    thank you for your research Lori. I went there and it pulled up a community health center that I have already contacted BUT I am going to call tomorrow, explain what I need and see again if they can help me.thank you again so much for your research on this, you're an angel.
    hugs
    dottie
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member

    hrsa.gov
    thank you for your research Lori. I went there and it pulled up a community health center that I have already contacted BUT I am going to call tomorrow, explain what I need and see again if they can help me.thank you again so much for your research on this, you're an angel.
    hugs
    dottie

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    I talked to my friend and he said they didn't have to pay anything. They went to the medical college, and were treated. I know that the Correctol dr I use is a professor at a teaching hospital, which I believe is directly related to the same college that helped my friend, and I went to him because he has an excellent reputation. When I get examined there he examines me along with whom ever he his training that day. Tomorrow my friend will have more information as to how they went about doing it, as his wife has all the info. He speaks spanish so theres a slight language barrier, so hopefully he will just bring me paperwork, so I can read it. I wish you luck tomorrow with the health center. Lori
  • recnac_grl
    recnac_grl Member Posts: 38
    z said:

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    I talked to my friend and he said they didn't have to pay anything. They went to the medical college, and were treated. I know that the Correctol dr I use is a professor at a teaching hospital, which I believe is directly related to the same college that helped my friend, and I went to him because he has an excellent reputation. When I get examined there he examines me along with whom ever he his training that day. Tomorrow my friend will have more information as to how they went about doing it, as his wife has all the info. He speaks spanish so theres a slight language barrier, so hopefully he will just bring me paperwork, so I can read it. I wish you luck tomorrow with the health center. Lori

    community health center
    Well, the health center told me they don't have specialist's there, it's more or less preventive measurements with well check up exams with a family medicine doctor. They do not have one who would do anoscope, and if so, they would need to refer me on to a specialist anyway, as they don't have one there. So, back to the drawing board. I will probably just have to wait until next year when I get approved for Medicare and go to my colo surgeon then. It will be more than 12 months from now , but it's all I've got for now. I don't know of a teaching hospital around here where i could go to. Thank you so so so much for all of your help, research, and support. I do know if I start bleeding ( which I have not) I will go to urgent care.
    hugs and prayers,
    warmly,
    Dottie
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member

    community health center
    Well, the health center told me they don't have specialist's there, it's more or less preventive measurements with well check up exams with a family medicine doctor. They do not have one who would do anoscope, and if so, they would need to refer me on to a specialist anyway, as they don't have one there. So, back to the drawing board. I will probably just have to wait until next year when I get approved for Medicare and go to my colo surgeon then. It will be more than 12 months from now , but it's all I've got for now. I don't know of a teaching hospital around here where i could go to. Thank you so so so much for all of your help, research, and support. I do know if I start bleeding ( which I have not) I will go to urgent care.
    hugs and prayers,
    warmly,
    Dottie

    Dottie--
    I'm sorry this

    Dottie--

    I'm sorry this turned out to be a dead end for you. I hope you will keep on the hunt for another way to get in to see a specialist so that you don't put it off for a year. When it comes to cancer, a year is a long time for it to get established and make things even worse. If anyone can come up with more ideas, I hope they'll pass them on to you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    mp327 said:

    Dottie--
    I'm sorry this

    Dottie--

    I'm sorry this turned out to be a dead end for you. I hope you will keep on the hunt for another way to get in to see a specialist so that you don't put it off for a year. When it comes to cancer, a year is a long time for it to get established and make things even worse. If anyone can come up with more ideas, I hope they'll pass them on to you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    Like Martha said a year is a long time to wait. If you could just have a biopsy to see whats going on, which hopefully will be nothing, then maybe you could ease your mind. I am from St. Lous originally, and I known St. Louis has excellent hospitals and medical schools. I know that would be quite a drive, but it might be worth looking into. I will be talking to my friend this evening. Lori
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    z said:

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    Like Martha said a year is a long time to wait. If you could just have a biopsy to see whats going on, which hopefully will be nothing, then maybe you could ease your mind. I am from St. Lous originally, and I known St. Louis has excellent hospitals and medical schools. I know that would be quite a drive, but it might be worth looking into. I will be talking to my friend this evening. Lori

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    Sorry it took so long to get back to you with the information. My friends wife went to Moffitt cancer center. I see that there is a Moffitt in Springfiel Mo. My friend said they called and told them they have no insurance and she was treated. Please try them to see if they will do the same for you. Tell them you have no insurance and you need help. 1-888-Moffitt (1-888-663-3468) www.InsideMoffitt.com Lori
  • recnac_grl
    recnac_grl Member Posts: 38
    z said:

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    Sorry it took so long to get back to you with the information. My friends wife went to Moffitt cancer center. I see that there is a Moffitt in Springfiel Mo. My friend said they called and told them they have no insurance and she was treated. Please try them to see if they will do the same for you. Tell them you have no insurance and you need help. 1-888-Moffitt (1-888-663-3468) www.InsideMoffitt.com Lori

    thank you
    Hi Lori,
    thank you for the information. i am going to call them and see if they can help me. I have no internet at home any longer but I check the board from the library and I'm glad I did! thank you so very much!! you're an angel!!!
    hugs,
    Dottie
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member

    thank you
    Hi Lori,
    thank you for the information. i am going to call them and see if they can help me. I have no internet at home any longer but I check the board from the library and I'm glad I did! thank you so very much!! you're an angel!!!
    hugs,
    Dottie

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    I made an error in thinking Moffit was in Springfiel Mo. I am so sorry, it is in Florida, where I am located. But please still call Moffitt and maybe they will be able to give you direction as to how to approach a non-profit hospital for treatment without insurance. I know that web site I reffered you to previously, had information that non-profit hospitals have to treat at least 200 people a year who are unable to pay, to have the non-profit status. Again, sorry, but I just want you to be checked. At least a biopsy. Lori
  • nellie67
    nellie67 Member Posts: 28 Member
    z said:

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    I made an error in thinking Moffit was in Springfiel Mo. I am so sorry, it is in Florida, where I am located. But please still call Moffitt and maybe they will be able to give you direction as to how to approach a non-profit hospital for treatment without insurance. I know that web site I reffered you to previously, had information that non-profit hospitals have to treat at least 200 people a year who are unable to pay, to have the non-profit status. Again, sorry, but I just want you to be checked. At least a biopsy. Lori

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie
    Im from Springfield, MO too, I was wondering did you try going to St. Johns Hospital. I always thought they were a non-profit hospital but I could be wrong. It might be worth a try if you havent already. I originally went to Cox Hospital but I dont know what there payment plans are and I went to a doctor at the Ferrel-Duncan Center. I hope you can resolve this and get checked out.
    Best Wishes
    nell
  • recnac_grl
    recnac_grl Member Posts: 38
    nellie67 said:

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie
    Im from Springfield, MO too, I was wondering did you try going to St. Johns Hospital. I always thought they were a non-profit hospital but I could be wrong. It might be worth a try if you havent already. I originally went to Cox Hospital but I dont know what there payment plans are and I went to a doctor at the Ferrel-Duncan Center. I hope you can resolve this and get checked out.
    Best Wishes
    nell

    Hi
    Hello Lori and Nell,
    Thank you for the information both of you. My original surgeon is at Ferrel-Duncan Center as well. I made an appointment to see her and will just need to pay cash for the first visit and go from there. I have a feeling she will want me to undergo a colonoscopy as she wanted me to before and we never did get to it. I'm not sure how that will work so I will need to talk to her about it. Anyway, My appointment with her is Aug 31st. I will definately keep in touch. Thanks again for everything.
    And I will try St. Johns if this doesn't work out for me with Dr.Rasquez. Thank you for the information.
    Warmly,
    Dottie
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member

    Hi
    Hello Lori and Nell,
    Thank you for the information both of you. My original surgeon is at Ferrel-Duncan Center as well. I made an appointment to see her and will just need to pay cash for the first visit and go from there. I have a feeling she will want me to undergo a colonoscopy as she wanted me to before and we never did get to it. I'm not sure how that will work so I will need to talk to her about it. Anyway, My appointment with her is Aug 31st. I will definately keep in touch. Thanks again for everything.
    And I will try St. Johns if this doesn't work out for me with Dr.Rasquez. Thank you for the information.
    Warmly,
    Dottie

    Dottie
    Hi Dottie,

    I'm so glad your going to see your doctor. I hope everything will be fine, and this will give you peace of mind. Lori