I'm new! need help with what this all means

Hello, to all of you, I posted on the the pre op board and a few ladies suggested I come here. I'm looking over my pathology report, I tried to use the med dictionary but still didn't quite get it.

Microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma, grade ll of lll, with gland involvement, margins of resection, negative. stage T1a1

Surroundings squamous mucosa with multiple foci of cin3 with gland involvement margins negative

Chronic cervictis with squamous metaplasia and microglandular hyperplasia.

My Dr. recommends a hyster, keeping my ovaries. the first week of feb. is when this should happen.

My Dr.'s explanation was that the cancer was gone when he did the cone biopsy, but a hyster is still needed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank You,

P.S. I do understand if any of you have advice that I should still ask My Dr. questions. I'm just looking for some "been there-girlfriend advice."

I had endo ca so I can't answer your questions, but I am sure someone will be along soon to help you.
It is all so confusing and scary, but information helps to put it all in perspective.

Hi Lady,

I'm sorry but I can't help you with your path report. I did try searching the web but I'd only be guessing. Someone may be along with better knowledge.....and you already know the best answers will come from your dr.

My dr thought the Cone would take care of it but the pap done 3 mo later came back abnormal again. The path report from my hyst showed CIN3 and CIS. CIS is considered a Stage 0 cancer...no invasion.

I knew nothing of all this when I had my hyst. My dr talked only in terms of mild, moderate & severe dysplasia and I never asked questions or got my reports from the diagnostic testing done. It was only after I found this board that I got some understanding of my condition. I'm glad you're doing some research so you'll have a better understanding when you talk with your dr and at least you'll know what questions to ask.

s

Welcome to Cancer Concerns.
I read your profile and saw that you are only 28 years young.
Have you considered getting a second opinion before the hysterectomy. Gyn oncologist are experts when it comes to this type diagnosis. Perhaps some other treatments may yet be available for you.
Please keep in touch.

karenann

These path reports can be confusing. I am not a doctor (nor do I play one on TV), but here is some information that may help you understand parts of it. Please check with your doctor for exact information.

Squamous cells are the cells covering all of the outside of the cervix, and part of the inside of the cervix (lower end). Most cervical cancers involve these cells. Farther up inside the cervix you find glandular cells. Glandular cells can also be affected in some women.

Microinvasive means that it is has very minimally invaded the "body" of the cervix. So, you have the "skin" of the cervix covering the "body" of the cervix. It has broken through the "skin" and is starting to invade the body. I have read that in order to be microinvasive it has to have invaded less than a 1 mm depth (please check with your doctor on that, because I am not certain). Stage 1a means that the cancerous portion is less than 2.5 mm in size at it's biggest point. The extra 1 on the end is a subclassification and I'm assuming it helps indicate the size as well.

If you have negative margins, it means that with the sample they took, the bad cells are in the middle, and on the edges there were good, healthy cells.

Immediately surrounding the area of cancer, there were apparently several small areas (multiple foci) where most of the cells in the "skin" of the cervix were abnormal (CIN3 otherwise known as severe dysplasia).

Chronic cervicitis means that it appears that your cervix has been irritated for a while.

I think that covers most of it. I don't know if it helps at all. Please remember to check with your doctor about this!!

And I really would encourage you to get a second opinion from a gyn/onc. They really are the experts when it comes to treating female cancers.

Good luck! Let us know how you are getting along!

I agree. Get a second opinionby at least one gyn oncologist. Squamous cell carcinoma in early stages can be cured by a cone.

Thanks for all the replies. The information was really helpful!!! I think I will get a 2nd opininn but i will always be worried about the cancer coming back, if I don't have the hyster now.

Thanks again for all the help on this board.

Of course you're going to worry about it coming back. All of us do, too (even after the hysterectomy). But it's always good to see what options are out there and then match those against your goals and plans for your life (like are you planning to have children in the future or not).

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

Hi...my doc also told me my cone had clear margins & most likely treated my cancer (endocervical carcinoma). She said that as long as I was not planning on having any children that a hyster should be scheduled & thru all my research, this was the recommended treatment. So, I had my TVH on Jan 8 (kept my ovaries) & unfortunately only saw my docs associates after surgery. The one who released me told me that my path reports did note a couple of other small spots of the same type of cancer but felt they got everything...I guess this is why they recommend the hyster because there are areas they just can't get to with the other forms of treatment. I will have more details after my 2 week post-op this Thurs (23)...I'm keepin my fingers crossed!

Prior to my surgery, my doc said that if I did want kids I would have time to prior to the hyster...so, if that is something you want to do, make sure you ask your doc if it would be safe in your case.

Unfortunately, anyone diagnosed with CA will always have a fear of it returning or another type popping up somewhere! That's why there are sites like this one...there is so much love, support, comfort & information. We are all here for you...keep us posted & if I get any more helpful info, I will share! Take care

Janet