My best Friedis 34 and recently had to go bck to the hospital after her smear test showed some abnormalities.
She has now had a letter saying something along the lines of...
"The tissue removed from the cervix confirms pre cancerous chamge. Grade 2 Needs Treatment.
She has to go in for thistreatment in 2 weeks, does she have cancer she isnt sure.
I live in the UK so maybe the Grade 2 has something to do with the way they grade thins on the NHS? Most probably what your friend has is Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia {CIN}.
C = cervical (related to the cervix of the uterus)
I = intraepithelial (inside the epithelial cells)
N = neoplasia (a new growth that's abnormal, sometimes precancerous)
CIN is graded into three categories, or stages:
-CIN 1= Early neoplasia. The cells are just starting to present changes but are still very similar to the normal, healthy cells.
-CIN 2= Moderate neoplasia. The cells are presenting abnormal changes that are easily detected by means of microscopic analysis by a pathologist.
-CIN 3= Severe neoplasia. The cells are already clearly abnormal, very similar to a cancerous cell pattern (large, dark, irregular nucleus, spiculated {star-like} borders). If left untreated, CIN 3 progresses rapidly to the next stage, which is called Carcinoma In Situ (a cancerous lesion that is limited to a small confined area, and has not yet started to invade the surrounding tissue).
In 1994, at age 25, I was diagnosed with CIN 3 during a routine PAP test. I never experienced any symptoms, so the diagnosis was a surprise to me. My gynecologist sent me immediately to a Reproductive Oncologist (a doctor that specializes in cancerous conditions of the female reproductive system). He confirmed the diagnosis, and recommended that a Cone Biopsy [conization] of my cervix be done. This is a minor surgical procedure done under regional anesthesia, and it serves a dual purpose: to determine the extent of the lesion, and to treat the condition by removal of a portion of the cervix. If the lesion is confined within the portion that is extracted [as it was in my case], no further treatment is needed, The doctor will schedule PAP tests every 3 months for the first year, every 6 months for the second, and then yearly for life. In the case of a lesion that extends beyond the borders of the portion that is removed, then a hysterectomy [extraction of the uterus] is in order, sometimes followed by a short course of chemotherapy. To this day, I've had no further recurrence of the disease. If you want to contact me regarding this condition, feel free to do so using the link provided in my profile. I hope that your friend gets well real soon, and that my advise has been of help. CIN2 and CIN3 (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia) show more obvious abnormalities (than CIN1). in the cells and doctors believe that most people with these more advanced pre-cancerous changes will go on to develop cervical cancer if they are not treated.
The treatments available for pre-cancerous changes on the cervix are very simple. They can usually be done as an out patient and involve little discomfort. They are very effective.
Make sure she keeps her appointments and takes this seriously. No, just "pre" cancerous changes (could become cancer). Thankfully Cervical Cancer is highly curable...
"Early-stage cervical cancer and precancerous (tending to become cancerous) cervical conditions are almost 100% curable." (ehealthmd.com) i agree with the previous answer Precancerous means exactly that -- PREcancerous. "Pre" as in "before". Precancerous conditions of the cervix are identified as cells that appear to be abnormal, but are not cancerous at the present time. However, the appearance of these abnormal cells may be the first evidence of cancer that develops months or years later.
Abnormalities are graded as being low-grade or high-grade. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN 1) is a low-grade lesion, also called dysplasia. They may resolve on their own or eventually become high-grade.
As far as I can tell, your friend has CIN 2, a high-grade SIL. SIL (squamous intraepithelial lesions ) is a term that refers to abnormal changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix. A high-grade SIL implies a large number of precancerous cells that often don't become cancerous or invade deeper layers of the cervix for many months or even years.
In short, your friend doesn't have cervical cancer at this time but the conditions are such that without treatment in time she will go on to develop it. What your friend needs to do is meet with a medical oncologist and discuss her PAP results as well as the treatment she's to have. She should clearly understand her condition and her options. Perhaps you can go with her and be a extra set of ears. All her questions should be in writing, she takes them with her and gets them ALL answered in a way she understands. When meeting with the oncologist any words not understood should be explained and correct spellings can be confirmed. (Take pen and paper -- maybe you could take notes) I wish your friend all the best and hope that her treatment is successful. Have a look at the websites below they might help. I would have thought if it had reached the cancerous stage they would have called her back for an appointment sooner than 2 weeks, ie tomorrow. Well I am sorry I cannot help any more, but I wish you and your friend luck and send her get well wishes I had a friend who had pre-cancerous cells on her cervix as well...I believe she had to have a small procedure where they remove them. It was uncomfortable, but not too painful. This means they are abnormal cells that could potentionally turn cancerous in the future if not treated. Treating them can help prevent that from happening. Your friend really needs to speak directly to her doctor & ask questions, it is part of their job to inform you about your condition, so it's best to establish a dialogue with them to get prompt, concise answers.... Here is some additional info:
What are precancerous conditions of the cervix?
Precancerous conditions of the cervix are identified as cells that appear to be abnormal, but are not cancerous at the present time. However, the appearance of these abnormal cells may be the first evidence of cancer that develops years later.
Precancerous changes of the cervix usually do not cause pain and, in general, do not cause any symptoms. They are detected with a pelvic exam or a Pap test. Squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) is a term that refers to abnormal changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix.
squamous cells are the flat cells found on the surface (of the cervix)
lesion refers to an area of abnormal tissue
intraepithelial means that the abnormal cells are present only in the surface layer of cells
According to the National Cancer Institute, changes in these cells can be divided into two categories:
Low-grade SIL refers to early changes in the size, shape, and number of cells that form the surface of the cervix. They may go away on their own, or, with time, may grow larger or become more abnormal, forming a high-grade lesion.
These precancerous low-grade lesions may also be called mild dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN 1). These early changes most often occur in women between the ages of 25 and 35, but can appear in other age groups as well.
High-grade SIL means there are a large number of precancerous cells, and, like low-grade SIL, these precancerous changes involve only cells on the surface of the cervix. The cells often do not become cancerous or invade deeper layers of the cervix for many months, perhaps years.
High-grade lesions may also be called moderate or severe dysplasia, CIN 2 or 3, or carcinoma in situ. They develop most often in women between the ages of 30 and 40, but can occur in other age groups as well. It's not cancer. If your friend don't receive treatment for these pre- cancerous cells she has more possibilities to have cervical cancer in the future.
Look at this information:
What are precancerous conditions of the cervix?
Precancerous conditions of the cervix are identified as cells that appear to be abnormal, but are not cancerous at the present time. However, the appearance of these abnormal cells may be the first evidence of cancer that develops years later.
Precancerous changes of the cervix usually do not cause pain and, in general, do not cause any symptoms. They are detected with a pelvic exam or a Pap test. Squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) is a term that refers to abnormal changes in the cells on the surface of the cervix.
squamous cells are the flat cells found on the surface (of the cervix)
lesion refers to an area of abnormal tissue
intraepithelial means that the abnormal cells are present only in the surface layer of cells "Pre cancerous" means it is NOT cancerous but if she does not have the treatments and leaves it untreated it would most likely become cancer. She is probably going in for the treatment as a safety measure. The treatment will kill the pre- cancerous cells they found from the pap smear so the cells can not develop into a Cervical cancer. Your friend is extremely lucky her pre- cancerous cells were caught before it was to late & they turned into actual Cervical Cancer, alot of people are not so lucky! I wish your friend the best of luck =) |
