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STDs (Expert Forum)
Scary Biopsy Results
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
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This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Scary Biopsy Results
by teodorka, Oct 25, 2005 12:00AM
I had a pap test 6 moths ago which was normal. The Doctor also did a Pap Sure test, looking at my cervix with magnifying glass. He found a white spot on the cervix and told me to come back in 6 moths. Few weeks ago he repeated the test and came back abnormal. He also did HPV test because I had genital wartsthat i treated already. The test came back positive for High-Risk HPV type16/18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/68 which are associated with precancers and cancers, but the test did not determine the specific type. He also did a colposcopy and biopsy. I went to see the doctor when the results from biopsy came back. He said there is nothing bad and to see him in 3 months. The diagnosis was: “A.Endocervical Curretings ECC- Scant benign endocervical epithelium and degenerated squamous cells. :B. CX PUNCH BX’S – Squamous mucosa with changes suggestive, but not diagnostic of condyloma. Benign ednocervical tissue with moderate acute and chronic inflammation and inflammatory atypia. “ It sounds very scary and I think of the worse-cancer or condition that lead to cancer. What those results mean? I asked for any treatment but he said it can’t be treated it should go away on its own. Is there any treatment for this available?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Oct 25, 2005 12:00AM
, Oct 25, 2005 12:00AM
Relax. That biopsy result is good news, not scary news. You have an HPV infection--which perhaps isn't good news, but in itself is no big deal. There is no way to know the exact HPV type; it is one of those you list, but it doesn't matter which one. Otherwise, your biopsy shows the earliest possible stage of abnormal cells caused by HPV. Left alone, it probably will clear up on its own, as your doctor tol you. Without any treatment at all, it is rare that such changes progress to overt cancer; and when they do, it takes many years.
In other words, left alone it probably will return to normal; and if it doesn't, or if repeat exams show progression to more advanced cellular changes, there still is plenty of time to remove the infected tissue and prevent cancer. The only possible treatment would require removing a large area of your cervix, which has possible side effects (especially cervical incompetence, which can cause problems in event of future pregnancy). That risk isn't high, but it is potentially more harmful than just waiting.
In other words, it sounds like your dctor knows exactly what he is doing. Rely on and follow his advice about follow-up.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
In other words, left alone it probably will return to normal; and if it doesn't, or if repeat exams show progression to more advanced cellular changes, there still is plenty of time to remove the infected tissue and prevent cancer. The only possible treatment would require removing a large area of your cervix, which has possible side effects (especially cervical incompetence, which can cause problems in event of future pregnancy). That risk isn't high, but it is potentially more harmful than just waiting.
In other words, it sounds like your dctor knows exactly what he is doing. Rely on and follow his advice about follow-up.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Member Comments (2)
by teodorka, Oct 25, 2005 12:00AM
Thank you for the reassuring and quick answer, now I can relax and start leaving a healthier life.
