after cone biopsy

I was diagnosed with adnocarcinoma in situ of the cervix just last week. I had a second opinion Wednesday at Sloan Kettering and will have another second opinion next Wednesday at Yale-New Haven. My gyno said that all the cancer was removed when they did the cone biopsy but that they would recommend hysterectomy since I don't plan to have more children. No one said anything about my ovaries, should I ask? The doctor at Sloan Kettering said that I could wait until summer is over to have this done. She said she would recommend LAVH, and this forum is the first info I have found about that.

This is all such a shock. I had a bad pap about three years ago followed by a colposcopy. All they ever said was that they didn't know what it was but it wasn't cancer. This time around I had the colposcopy then the LEEP then the cone biopsy. Each time all they found was moderate displasia just a little further up, there was no indication there was anything worse.

It sounds to me like a lot of this is going to depend on how you feel about things. You said that you didn't plan on any more children...how old are you? Is there a chance that you would change your mind and want kids? Is birth control a problem? Have you thought about actually losing an organ and going through major surgery? All of this needs to be considered, but the main question is...Do you feel like this is right for you? Are you afraid of another problem like this? Did the doctors all suggest hysterectomy? When I heard cancer, that was it...Dr suggested the surgery, I wanted it out of there asap and I was also in the process of looking for another form of birth control. It seemed like an easy decision for me. I will tell you that it was still a bit hard to accept after it was over. I guess it is all of that mother instinct that remains. I don't know if this has helped or not, but I can only tell you that hysterectomy is not for everyone and we are talking of a major surgery. You need to discuss everything with your drs. and then go from your health and do what is right for you!!! If I can help you in anyway, feel free to email me or respond here. We are all here to help...
Cyd@hystersisters.com

I had adnocarcinoma in situ, doc got it all in the cone biopsy, but told me that I could have re-occurance of this so he recommended a hyst, he left my ovaries so I would not have to go on HRT.

Best thing is to talk to your doc about any alternatives as we all are different.

Wishing you the best of luck.

Sending you wonderful positive thoughts and the luck of the Irish.

Love AnneW.

It is so nice to have a forum like this to talk with people who have been through the same stuff. I am 34 and divorced for one year with a six year old daughter. I already gave up the prospect of having more children when I got divorced because I never want to get married again, but I always considered the possiblity that I could change my mind someday.

They did offer me the option of being checked every three months. But the fact that all the prior tests I had did not show any evidence of this makes me wonder how they would find it next time? My brother-in-law, who is doing his post-doc in genetic cancers, told me that once they know specifically what they are looking for then they have a good chance of finding it. He also told me that this is aggressive enough that if it were missed once then 6 months would be long enough for it to spread.

I don't want the constant worry that this will reoccur. I went into such a major depression over my divorce that I really don't want to put myself through more worry.

Thank you all for your support!

Lisa

My understanding is that most cervical cancers are not estrogenic, that is, they don't have estrogen and progesterone receptors in the cells so keeping your ovaries wouldn't affect your chances.

Even with the hysterectomy, there's still a very small chance of cells appearing in the vagina, so you still have to be checked. I believe the chances of something are very slim, but you don't eliminate your need for frequent paps.

Hysterectomy is hard and can change your body and carries risks, but they aren't the risks of aggressive cancer. But living with that kind of fear is something I couldn't do either.

I had carcinoma in situ and the dr left my ovaries since I will still be using them for awhile, and they looked good. I just turned 36. I am not looking forward to going through menopause and think that maybe I should have gone the hrt way now, but like the dr said...why take something that is good and I am still using? The decision needs to be made between you and your doctor...take care and good luck!

It's good to hear from you....I have a similar issue. I've been dx with adnocarcinoma en situ of the cervix. I've had bad paps many times, but the rechecks always came back OK.

The cells were located inside the cervix. My new obgyn "saw something she didn't like" and did the pap further up than normal. I'm glad she did!

I'm scheduled for TAH Aug 31st, 2000. I'm waiting til the summer is over. The cone biopsy took out the existing cells, but the chance of recurrence just seems to high for me. I'm doing pap smears every 3 months til then.

I'm keeping the ovaries. The research agrees that the chance of ovarian cancer is no higher than for anyone who hasn't had this. I have to have an abdominal procedure, as I have not had kids, my uterus is too high and vagina not enlarged during childbirth. I'm 32 with no kids. My boyfriend has a son.

I'm finding that the waiting for surgery is quite difficult. I want to get it over with, but the time to plan is good too. Some times are more emotional than others.

Hang in there, feel free to contact me....we'll wait it out together!

lisa_i_williams@hotmail.com

I'm having a TAH BSO on 6/16. The decision was easy for me. I've had abnormal (atypical, mild, moderate dysplasia) for the past 3 years. I've had the colposcopy, cone biopsy, LEEP. The last 6 months my paps have come back atypical. Dr. wanted to do a colposcopy before my surgery because my last pap was atypical again and he wouldn't have time to do another pap before surgery. We did that 2 weeks ago and the results were mild dysplasia. The change came within 3 months. His concern is that there may be something more where the colposcopy couldn't get to. We'll now wait for the pathology reports after surgery and hope for the best. I don't want to constantly worry and have 3 month pap smears and LEEPs forever. AND I have 2 children and am 48 yrs. young. Enough is enough. Please think your decision over and talk to your doctor. It is a difficult decision for some. Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find the right way for you.

I just got back the pathology report from the first of my second opinions. There reading is no dysplaysia and no carcinoma!! I can't really relax and say it is all over, I am still waiting for the second of the second opinions. I will go for two out of three. I just don't understand how there could be such a difference.

Yikes! That's good in a way but how nerve-wracking! You do read about the wide variation in the ability of the labs as well as just the risk that there can be false negatives/positives. I'm glad you're getting a range of opinions. I sure hope you get a feeling of consensus.

So are you leaning toward the getting checked every three months option?