Vain I

Help, I need information. I had my first vaginal smear (or PAP) since my hysterectomy (uterus and cervix removed) last April. The smear came back abnormal. A biopsy was done and the pathology report came back "vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia I with HPV changes. Changes extend to biopsy margins focally." My doctor is going to talk to me a little more on Monday about my options but I do believe I want to go and see a GYN/ONC. But tell me how serious is this? I have been quite upset about this and my husband is treating me as if he is about to lose me. My brain tells me that this was caught early and I should be just fine, but my emotions are telling me something different. Just what can I expect and what kind of questions should I ask?

I don't want to alarm you but I do belive that you should consult with a gyn/onc.

If I am not mistaken VAIN is similar to CIN. In being the cells have displasia or may be the very very early stages of cancer.

's GaGirl!

I'm sorry to hear about your new incident. Out of curiosity, did you ever have abnormal PAP's before your hysterectomy? HPV frequently affects the cervix--most women with HPV never have it on their vaginal wall. I, of course, had abnormal cells in both locations--such is my luck.

I've battled abnormal PAP's most of my adult life. At the time of my LEEP in January 2001, I asked my doc to please fix a chronic vaginal tear I'd had for years. When they sent off the biopsy from that area, they found carcinoma-in-situ of the vaginal wall. Then, when I had the TAH in Feb 2001, my vaginal wall was resected again and we were hoping to find clear margins. We did not. I had carcinoma-in-situ dwindling to VaIN 1 at the margins. We assumed that it would turn up again at my next PAP, but 2 years later, there is still nothing.

It is possible that the doc could opt to do nothing--just watch it for a while with regular PAP's to see if you can fight off the infection yourself. They might also opt to use laser to treat the area if it's a fairly confined area. More widespread areas are sometimes treated with localized chemo (chemo drug inserted vaginally for 10 weeks). In the meantime, do all you can to boost your health. Get plenty of sleep. Take a multivitamin (folic acid may help the body fight off HPV), eat well, exercise moderately, pray and/or meditate, do yoga. De-stress. Stress lowers your immune function, making your body more vulnerable to viruses and such.

Absolutely feel free to request a referral to see a gyn/onc!

Good luck! Please let us know what is recommended for you.