I'm Baaaccckkk

mmfintx

Hello All, 

Have been running some things down, and the latest is this lab result from my PAP. And I have NEVER before had an abnormal PAP.  Got no follow up call from my GYN, and to top that, the info says no follow up needed, I Don't Think so!  So, I'm here for a 'what this means' from you all's experience....and yes, I am in Texas. 

Specimen Adequacy: Satisfactory for Evaluation (that's good)

General Category: Epithelial Cell Abnormality (okay, not sounding so good)

Microscopic Interpretation: Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US) (huh?)

Other Findings:

Adequate Endocervical / transformation zone component present. (What does this mean?) 

Moderate Inflammation (Okay, inflammation is a normal response to an abnormal occurance)

Estrogenic effect present (yep, on the patch and take oral progesterone too). Finding is inconsistent with patient history (I know this!)

 

Had abnormal bleeding, was told it was due to my changing from one patch to another. Had a biopsy, negative. Had a CT, negative. Still have all my parts! Have only had that sharp pain in lower right side once on my Wonderful road trip with my best friend and hubby. We drove to Toronto and back to Florida and just flew back to Texas yesterday. My Hubby got to 'pop his International Travel Cherry" as he put it. All was wonderful, and still filled up by that.

This, has me concerned. I have read your posts, and have so much respect for your experience and knowledge. I called and left a message with my GYN that I want to follow up with this.  I discussed a hysterectomy with the nurse during my PAP visit. I'm thinking, hey, if there are parts there that could cause trouble and I sure don't need that at my age, post menopause, why not get rid of that potential problem. Hope I'm not too late with that if that was a good idea. She said getting a hysterectomy when I don't have to causes complications. Yes, I know that, surgery is a risk, but hey, what are we dealing with here?  I thought it would be one good way to really disect and possibly find out why I get these sharp pains, and possibly lose a little weight (just kidding.) 

What next? What do I do? And what might I possibly be up against. I did go to the web once and then came right here.  Once there was enough for me!

Thank you so much for your time. 

Mary

soul-mate

I don't think so

Hi Mary

Wish you all the best ahead but you are right as no follow up is wrong. My wife had all clear with pap only to find out that it can't detect endometrial cancer. D&C should have been done as we were told bleeding is first indicator, my wife had no indicator so we trusted pap and I will not go in detail but trust me do not let this slide. Take care

SOUL-MATE

It happened to Me

soul-mate said:

I don't think so

Hi Mary

Wish you all the best ahead but you are right as no follow up is wrong. My wife had all clear with pap only to find out that it can't detect endometrial cancer. D&C should have been done as we were told bleeding is first indicator, my wife had no indicator so we trusted pap and I will not go in detail but trust me do not let this slide. Take care

SOUL-MATE

Atypical cells

I agree.  Need to follow-up.  I had atypical cells on my PAP as well and they did a colposcopy.  They said they had to determine what kinds of cells they were.  The results of that showed that I had endometrial cells and then it showed uterine serous papillary carcinoma.  This is rarely found in a PAP.  So if you get no results from your current gyn, find another one.   Best wishes to you and keep searching til you find the answer.

Jeanette

cleo

It happened to Me said:

Atypical cells

I agree.  Need to follow-up.  I had atypical cells on my PAP as well and they did a colposcopy.  They said they had to determine what kinds of cells they were.  The results of that showed that I had endometrial cells and then it showed uterine serous papillary carcinoma.  This is rarely found in a PAP.  So if you get no results from your current gyn, find another one.   Best wishes to you and keep searching til you find the answer.

Jeanette

cleo

Definitely second opinion. My PAP tests were clear. No indication until slight bleeding. Colposcopy showed uterine carcino sarcoma. Apparently rogue cells can sometimes be too high to be detected by PAP.

Kaleena

Long and Short about PAPs

Ok Mary, here goes as I have just gone through this at length:

I have been going through this cancer journey since 2005.   Prior to that I was getting my yearly PAP - all normal - after my diagnosis I would get a PAP almost at all my appointments - that was approximatelly 9 years worth - all of the PAPs have been normal - EXCEPT my last two PAPs - They came back abnormal (ASCUS) and then I also got one that was HPV positive.   Then I got a new doctor who didn't believe in PAPs.   He indicated that it would not pick up a recurrence of endometrial cancer (as someone else stated here).   I said yes ok but couldn't it pick up another cancer?   That answer is of course yes.   With HPV positive or for cervical cancer they indicate it takes 10 years or so after many abnormal PAPs for it to develop.  I don't buy that because it has to start somewhere.    Now I am really confused because why do they do it all the time and now when I get abnormal results they decide to quit doing it.  By the way, on other PAPs that I had that was normal there were notes on it that I had acute inflammation on several of them.  Oh also, I have questions several physicians on my abnormal (ASCUS) results and they indicated it doesn't mean anything.  Frustrating because it surely means something not quite right to me.

Since you got an abnormal (ASCUS) result (which is the lowest and least concerning on PAPS) they should have further sent the sample to get tested for HPV.  However, this may only be a protocol for someone who has had a hysterectomy.   Also, it is not uncommon to get an abnormal PAP here and there.   Did you know that if you use vaginal gell a day or two prior to a PAP that it can cause an abnormal reading?    If anything, they should do a follow up PAP in 3 to 6 months and if it is still abnormal they should do a colposcopy?

I just demanded a PAP because of the last two abnormal ones - this one came back negative.  So since I asked to have this done, I am thinking maybe they didn't scrape enough sample for the test.   I was concerned because of all the other symptoms I was having and then having the abnormal PAPs, but at least I can get that off my mind - but it can drive you absolultely CRAZY!

I hope that this helps you a bit.   If it makes you feel better, get another PAP in a month or two.

Kathy

P S   This is what it says at the end of a normal PAP

The Pap Smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. False negative
results occur with all screening tests, emphasizing the need for
rescreening at recommended intervals, and clinical correlation.