had colpo today 4 glandular cells-help!

Hi friends,
I am hoping some of you may have some information/insight for me. I had a TAH almost 3 yrs ago for cervical adenocarcinoma in situ. All my Paps since have been normal. The week before Xmas I had 2 days of spotting. It stopped and reappeared right after the new year. I saw my gyn 2 weeks ago and she saw "tissue" that was bleeding. She did a Pap and a silver nitrate treatment. I thought that was it.....

Last Wed. she called to schedule an immediate colpo because of "glandular" cells on the pap. I read a bit about them and had the colpo today. I guess these cells looked worrisome and she decided to take 3 samples to biopsy. It was pretty painful - apparently these kind of cells can hide deep and she needed samples from a few spots. Now I am waiting for the pathology report which will be a week. She has a GYN Oncologist lined up for me to see if need be. My doc is awesome - she is always straight with me. I asked her point blank what her "gut" feeling was and she replied it could be a recurrance of cancer but we'll have to wait and see. Deja Vu....needless to say, it's not what I was expecting to hear almost 3 years after my surgery and I am a little freaked out right now.

If anyone has had any experience of their own or knows anything about this type of cell or treatment, I would so appreciate hearing about it. You all got me through a rough time 3 years ago and I am here looking for some more hand holding..thanks so much for reading through this....
Donna

Donna:

Gosh, the hardest thing is to wait for results, isn't it? I can understand why you're freaked. It sounds like you're in great hands with a doctor who is being thorough and thinking a step ahead, and who communicates well. I hope that's some reassurance. You were smart to get the spotting checked out, even if it turns out only to be irritation.

When you had your TAH, did you have any radiation or chemotherapy? I wish I had some experience to share with you. I'm sure there are other fellow "sisters" who've had a similar experience who will come along shortly.

In the meantime, I just wanted to send a big hug your way.

I did not have glandular cells. My ordeal started back in 1989 when I had conization for CIN III. (No hysterectomy). Fast forward to Nov. 19th of 2007 I had a pap test which came back HSIL. All thought it was my cervix issue again, but after biopsies it was discovered my cervix is just fine, I actually have vaginal cancer, Stage I, squamous. Luckily this was found in Stage one and next week I finish my rads/chemo. So it is possible that you may have carcinoma insitu of the vagina since you have had a hysterectomy. (Carcinoma insitu is stage 0 or also called pre-cancer). I know this is a scary time and am very sorry you are going through this. I do not intend to scare you but only to share my experience. It sounds like this was caught early, which is very very good!

thank you both for taking the time to reply!

Hey, Donna!

I had a pap with abnormal glandular cells prior to my adenocarcinoma diagnosis. As you've probably read, there does seem to be a close correlation between abnormal glandular cells and cancer as opposed to abnormal squamous cells (which can be caused by lots of things -- douching, intercourse, etc.). It's good that your gyn is being aggressive and has a gyn/onc lined up if necessary.

That said, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves until you get those biopsy results back. Trust me, we all know a good case of the old cancerhead when we see it. Just take one step at a time and know that you are not alone!

Big s
monami

First, after a pap smear, I had a reading of "atypical glandular cells" with 8 preglandular cells. Then, after a d & c and colposcopy, I had a reading of "complex hyperplasia with mild atypia" which I understand is pre-cancer--what they sampled was not cancer yet.

My treatment will be total hysterectomy---but you have already had that, so I am confused.

This is all very recent for me (I found out a week ago today) so I am not much help, but I am here with and for you.