Confused about results - do I have cancer?

[Stephanie9803]

Would anyone be able to help me understand my pathology report? I have been given conflicting answers. I would really appreciate any help.

2. Cervix, 6-o'clock (biopsy):
Microscopic foci of invasive squamous cell carcinoma and overlying
severe
dysplasia (CIN-3/HSIL).
See comment.
Comments:
2. The invasive carcinoma is not oriented as to the surface of the specimen
and, thus, a depth of invasion cannot be provided.

[old_before_my_time]

I am sorry you are dealing with this and aren't getting proper info.

I personally would want to see an oncologist, preferably one not affiliated with the same network of doctors or hospitals. It would be good to get a copy of your records especially the pathology report to take with you. Black out the doctor / practice identifying info before sharing it with other doctors. I wish you the best. Keep us posted.

[auntiejessi]

I'm sorry you're getting conflicting answers. Who is giving you the conflicting info?

Essentially, this means you have severely abnormal cells on your cervix.

Dysplasia - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cervical-cancer/expert-answers/cervical-dysplasia/faq-20058142

CIN - 3 - cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia 3 -

https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cin-3

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15678-cervical-intraepithelial-neoplasia-cin

https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cervical-squamous-intraepithelial-neoplasia-3

HSIL ~ High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion -

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/centers/cervical_dysplasia/diagnosis_and_treatment/abnormal_pap_test.html

2 - Okay, I see the confusion. One is calling it a dysplasia, and the other is calling it an "invasive carcinoma". Are these from the same report? Is one from a pap and the other from a colposcopy and biopsy?

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? They should have a plan for you, no matter which they think it is.  Even if they aren't sure this is a carcinoma, it's severe enough dysplasia that it is going to need prompt treatment.

If your doctors have diagnosed you with cancer, you should be working towards getting an oncologist who specializes in cervical cancer, getting staged, etc.

https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/cervical-cancer/stages

If you have confusion about this from your regular GYN, it might not hurt to request a consult with an oncologist anyway just to sort this out if they aren't diagnosing this as cancer. If you can, go to a cancer hospital in a larger city, or a teaching hospital. They are often more up to date on the most recent info and treatments.

Don't hesitate to ask for what you need, whether that's clarification or second (or third) opinions.

Let us know what's happening, and hugs to you.

[Stephanie9803]

Thank you so much!
This is from my colposcopy/biopsy. My Dr gave me the news that it is cancer. Then when the nurse called from the gyn office that is doing a LEEP next week she said "you don't have any cancer"
I called my Dr and he said "she's wrong" I called her back and questioned her after speaking with both my Dr and the American Cancer Society and she kept going back and forth with her responses. She said my entire cervix isn't eaten up with cancer. So I asked her if I should just dismiss that part of the report and she said no. I'm so confused. My head is spinning. I don't know what to do or if I should even trust the people doing my procedure now.

[auntiejessi]

What kind of doctor says, "your entire cervix isn't eaten up with cancer"?

I think if you have even the slightest concern about your doctor, you should find a new one.

So I wonder if this means that there is cancer on your cervix, and in other parts, there is severe dysplasia? When they do biopsies, they usually do it from at least a few different locations (or they should), so maybe at least one came back as cancer, and others came back as dysplasia?

The doctor doing the LEEP - is that an oncologist? I think I'd want to meet with an oncologist since they couldn't determine the depth of it, and maybe more importantly, the spread.

In any case, you have concerns about the doctor doing the LEEP. You aren't comfortable with her. That alone is enough to find another one.

[Stephanie9803]

I followed my gut. I  can't thank you enough.
Well.....that didn't go as well as I'd hoped. I will be having a port placed and start chemo and radiation asap. He's scheduling a CT-PET scan. Then I will have 5 surgeries after chemo and radiation placing something to put direct internal radiation. There's much more but my mind is still spinning atm. If it is contained to what he can see during his exams I have a 90 percent chance of recovery...if it's in even 1 lymph node that drops to 45 percent. We will know by next week.