[contentuser]

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Cervical Dysplasia(Free Handout)


Overview


Cervical dysplasia is a term used to describe the appearance of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix, the lowest part of the uterus. These changes in cervical tissue are classified as mild, moderate, or severe. While dysplasia itself does not cause health problems, it is considered to be a precancerous condition. Left untreated, dysplasia sometimes progresses to an early form of cancer known as cervical...Read the full article

[piperpilot]

There are so many incorrect statements in this article, it's hard to know where to begin.

"Cervical Dysplasia has no symptoms."-FALSE. Many times, dysplasia, usually moderate and severe can cause irregular bleeding and sometime painfull intercourse.

"Dysplasia, left untreated has a 40-50% chance of developing into invasive cancer." FALSE. Mild dysplasia, the most common, left untreated has a 13% chance of progressing..(Center for Disease Control).

Treatment for cervical dysplasia is determined (or should be) according to American Society of Cervical Cytology and Pathology.

"Many doctors prefer to treat all cases of dysplasia to eliminate future proression to cancer."-FALSE.
Many doctors prefer to treat dysplasia, usually without informing the patient that reccurance may still result. Many doctors choose to scare and intimidate patients into LEEP (electric wire loop excision or Cryo-therapy--freezing the cervix) evn though a patient may only have CIN 1 (LSIL) in order to run up the bill.

"Nicotine in cigarettes has been shown to be a risk factor..." This is an unfounded statement. Smoking has been linked to highter incidence of cervical dysplasia, although the exact mechanism is not known. Nicotine, however, is not the most likely link, but rather the carcinogens in cigarette smoke.

Any woman who is histologically (biopsy confirmed) with cervical dysplasia should demand that their doctor provide all the facts before consenting to treatement. The risk factors associated with LEEP, combined with the chances of reccourance are usually not discussed. Family physicians are usually the LEAST informed, caveat emptor.

[contentuser]

Healthcommunities.com, Inc., (HC) Editors Note:
The above comment has been reviewed by HC and the following documentation was found:
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

"There are usually no symptoms." [of cervical dysplasia]

According to the Mayo Clinic:

"…early cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms. [Symptoms may develop] as the cancer progresses…"

According to the American Cancer Society:

"Women with early cervical cancers and pre-cancers usually have no symptoms. Symptoms often do not begin until the cancer becomes invasive and grows into nearby tissue."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

"Early on, cervical cancer usually does not cause signs and symptoms."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

"…about 10% [of mild dysplasia cases] progress to moderate or severe dysplasia within 2–4 years…Less than 50% of cases of severe dysplasia progress to invasive carcinoma…"

[piperpilot]

The original article stated in fact "Cervical dysplasia does not cause symptoms;" This is not factually correct. Some cases of dysplasia do cause symptoms.

"…about 10% [of mild dysplasia cases] progress to moderate or severe dysplasia within 2–4 years…Less than 50% of cases of severe dysplasia progress to invasive carcinoma…" WHO

This quote is taken out of context: the context should be "LEFT UNTREATED,..."

The facts are that most sexuay active adults will be exposed, either directly or indirectly to one or more strains of HPV during their lifetime. If HPV was the cause of cervical cancer, there would be several hundreds of thousands of cases diagnosed each year, would there not? I know what most of the literature says--but just consider that facts before allowing a doctor to unneccessarily amputate the end of your cervix.

The term pre-cancerous is very misleading--one could equally argue that having breasts is a "pre-cancerous" condition.

Too many women are being mislead by doctors using scare tactics and they need to be informed before consenting to any surgical proceedure.

[1scaredmom]

I am new to this forum and also newly diagnosed with mild Dysplasia. I had a colposcopy within 3 days of my abnormal pap results. I was told by me Primary, who has been the only Dr I've seen about this, that I needed to have the colposcopy redone in 6mths which is December! Unlike the post the yours responded to, mt Dr. did not at all, try to scare me! He said the colposcopy was a 'better safe than sorry' proceedure. Although a very real diagnosis, I wasn't scared until I found an unexpected amount of free time on my hands (became unemployed) & started looking into this condition. Now, I'm more fearful at the sound of all these biopsys that I have never heard of & how dangerous they can be.
I know you said, and backed with some impressive facts, that there are 'rarely' symptoms. So I'm wondering if I should chalk what seems like some of the symptoms mentioned, up to coincidence?
At 43yrs old, my periods have, without fail, been every 28days. They have lasted, without fail (unfortunatley) for a whole 6-7days. Normaly starting with severe cramping 12-18hrs before flow. The first day with very painful 'flu-like' symptoms until about the end of the 2nd day, The rest of the week, a moderate and steady flow. BUT....the last '2' consecutive periods I had started with 'no' warning with the cramps....flu-like symptons for about 5hrs, leading into heavy bleeding & then cramping & clotting (which I've never had) for only about 48hrs & then tapers to nothing by the third day! I'm confused about this. I 'did' think it probably had something to do with the Dysplasia but hadn't talked to my Primary yet just because I'm so close to making an appointment anyway. Just thought I'd talk to him about it then. Any advice? I'm all ears!!!

[morgan123]

You are not alone; I am also 43 years old. The first bomb hit me when my doctor told me I had contract HPV and would need to have a PAP every six months. The second bomb hit when I found out the HPV came from my husband. Afterward there were series of up setting news. I lost my job just weeks before my birthday and Christmas. My Pap was in February, which came back abnormal. The suggestion was it is probably a result of an infection from tampons use, but just to be cautious I should have a colposcopy and biopsy done. On the day of the procedure, she said, “This is probably a low grade dysplasia and sometimes can clear up no its own”. I was relieved to hear this hopeful news. However, when the results came back with severe dysplasia my world crashed yet again. This is the second time my hope was deflated by my doctor’s loose opinion. I would prefer that she said nothing and just waited for the results. At the point, I do not know what to believe. So, with this less than optimistic news, I now need to under go the LEEP procedure. My doctor also feels it best if the procedure is in the OR versus her office so I can be fully sedated. I'm not ever certain this is standard practic. Since the recession it has become even more difficult to trust anyone and doctors are no exception. I can't say for certain your period flow is a result of the dysplasia but remember your body is changing. Take care and have faith.