I was diagnosed with cervical cancer Friday.. I have regular paps, in fact 4 since October all normal..?
Posted on Mar 10, 2010 under breast cancer |I started having heavy bleeding, cramping, discharge… So I start seeing my gyno, he did pelvic exams, bladder tests, you name it I’ve done it. They do an SSI and then a pelvic and then Friday I find out I have cervical cancer. Everything I’ve read says, its a slow developing disease and is mostly caused by HPV. Well, I just had a pap a month ago and it was normal, I tested negative for HPV, but biopsy was positive for cancer. I see an oncologist next week, but am so confused… What in the world is happening and why did it just all of a sudden appear within a month? If anyone can offer any information, that would be great. I still have a week before my appt and my gyno and some doctors he consulted with are extremely puzzled. Could it have spread from somewhere else?
March 10th, 2010 at 10:25 am
I’ve never heard of cervical cancer being a metastasis from another area, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. And so far as it developing over a long period of time, it’s well known to develop in women from one annual pelvic exam to the next. I’ve also never heard of "most" cervical cancers being a result of the human papilloma virus … again, it could be.
I’m so sorry that you’ve received this diagnosis. But be glad your doctor was so thorough. Another may have just blown you off when a couple of the paps were negative. And a quick referral to an oncologist is also a blessing. The oncologist is the guy (or woman) who can answer these questions for you. They deal with the onset of cancer as well as advanced treatment all the time.
Best of luck to you and I sincerely hope your outcome is positive.
March 10th, 2010 at 10:25 am
i don’t know how old you are but talk to your mother or doctor have them explain exactly what is going on and what the doctor wants to do next
March 10th, 2010 at 10:25 am
High risk HPV types are found in most all cervical cancers.
Yes some cervical cancer can happen in less than a year.
I am sure your doctor will be faxing information to your oncologist..but your oncologist will want to do some of his own testing. Try to take a friend or family member with you. It is very difficult to absorb all the information your doctor will be talking to about.
Get a good base of knowledge before you see your oncologist gynecologist. Cancer.gov has lists of questions you may want to ask your doctor. If you are not comfortable with the first oncologist that you see…please seek a second opinion….Your oncologist should be able to answer some of your questions…
Cervical cancers and cervical pre-cancers are classified by how they look under a microscope. There are 2 main types of cervical cancers: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. About 80% to 90% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers are from the squamous cells that cover the surface of the exocervix. Under the microscope, this type of cancer is made up of cells that are like squamous cells. Squamous cell carcinomas most often begin where the exocervix joins the endocervix.
Most of the remaining cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are becoming more common in women born in the last 20 to 30 years. Cervical adenocarcinoma develops from the mucus-producing gland cells of the endocervix. Less commonly, cervical cancers have features of both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. These are called adenosquamous carcinomas or mixed carcinomas.
Although cervical cancers start from cells with pre-cancerous changes (pre-cancers), only some of the women with pre-cancers of the cervix will develop cancer. The change from cervical pre-cancer to cervical cancer usually takes several years — but it can happen in less than a year.
From the American Cancer Society’s website on Cervical Cancer
This information is from the National Cancer Institute the link follows
This booklet tells about diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up care. Learning about medical care for invasive cervical cancer can help you take an active part in making choices about your care.
This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes or ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family member or friend go with you when you talk with the doctor - to take notes, ask questions, or just listen.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/cervix/page2