need medical advice

[Gone Disney]

My oldest daughter called me this afternoon after a visit to the doctor. She is quite upset and asking me for advice. I tried to advise her the best I can but since I have no experience with this I'm afraid I may not be giving the best advice. So I would like to ask anyone here that may have personal experiences that can help us to understand the situation better.

Please keep in mind that this is second hand information. I have omitted some details as I think it may be too graphic, but I am a prude so.

My daughter is 21 and in college. About 2 weeks ago she went to the college clininc for a yearly exam. When she went in they directed her to the exam room, ultimately they took 2 pelvic swabs and did a breast exam. A short time later a different lady came in and stated that her results were A Typical and that she would need to see another doctor. They made an appointment for her and sent her on her way. She went to that apointment which was today and she tells me that after waiting for some time she goes into an exam room and the lady takes her weight and asks her to sit then gives her a pamphlet on HPV. The lady proceeds to explain that she has cervical cancer and that they need to do a colposcopy. The lady continues to explain that during the colposcopy they will take a biopsy for confirmation but since it is cancerous they will have to remove it all.

I have never experienced this nor do I have older female family members that can add input. The information I was given just does not sound right. I have asked her to get a second opinion cause that just seemed like a no brainer for me. Her explanation of the visit does not sound like any visit I have ever had so I don't know what to make of it. I have researched HPV and colposcopy and I can't help but feel that the doctor she went to is putting a different spin on things.

Please let me know what you think about the situation. Does this sound right?

Thanks
Patti

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

I'm no doctor but I suggest getting a 2nd opinion for something as serious as what you're asking.

God Bless & you'll both be in our thoughts & prayers. Hope it'll turn out to be nothing.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

That seems pretty complicated for a college campus clinic. I would have her get a 2nd opinion. Does she have any other insurance?

 

[minkydog]

Not having the full picture, I'd advise a second opinion. Even if it is cancer, cervical cancer is highly treatable and a delay of a couple weeks won't make any difference in the outcome. It is very possible that the nurse used the word "pre-cancerous." HPV is well known for causing pre-cancerous lesions and they do a colposcopy to treat. Is there any way that you can go with her to a second opinion? It would probably make both of you feel better.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

First off, I am so sorry.

I would absolutley get a second opinion before major surgery.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I took my DSD to the gynecologist when she was 17. They did your typical pap and sent it out. We got a call a week later for her to come in for the results. As this was also my dr's office I knew this was unusual. So we had her come for another visit and I took her to the dr. They said she had high risk HPV and they need to do a conical biopsy to see if it had progressed into cervical cancer.

We went ahead with the biopsy and everything was okay. She was to follow up 4 times a year for the first year, then 3 x, then 2 x for about 10 years. Of course, being my DSD and not living with me, she went for 1 follow up and then complained 2 years later that the dr screwed everything up. She apparently hadn't seen anyone in that entire time. As she lived 3 hours away and not with me, it was hard to monitor.

Definitely get another opinion. It doesn't sound like what your daughter had done was a true full exam. I'll keep your DD in my prayers.

 

[Myothername]

Definitely get a second opinion. I once had a pap smear come back with atypical cells. All they did was repeat the pap smear. I asked the doctor what happened and could it have been that just the scrapping of the cells made them look funny under the microscope? He said that is most likely what happened. Anyway, 2nd pap came back just fine.

 

[itsheresomewhere]

Get a second opinion fast. She got her pap results same day and not long after her appt? I haven't been seen a college campus that can handle serious things. Normally you have to be refered to a doctor of campus.

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

I would advise your DD to get a second opinion from her own doctor. I realize that she is in college, but sometimes those clinics aren't all they are cracked up to be. When they did the biopsy for me when I had my exam came back showing something was wrong, it took about a week to get the results, and there are different forms of HPV that it could be a misdiagnosis from someone inexperienced or because they see HPV they automatically think the worst. There are different forms of HPV, it could easily be the simplest form that most women get, and will clear out on its own or with the help of an antibiotic. Either way she needs to hear this from someone other than the clinic.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Definitely get a second opinion. I once had a pap smear come back with atypical cells. All they did was repeat the pap smear. I asked the doctor what happened and could it have been that just the scrapping of the cells made them look funny under the microscope? He said that is most likely what happened. Anyway, 2nd pap came back just fine.

I had a similar situation (the first doctor said, "I've actually never seen anything like it"), but it was a yeast infection. Lotta tears about nothin'.

Second opinion.

 

[focusondisney]

Hi!! I work in women's health so I have some basic info for you. HPV is human pappillo virus, or genital warts. It is a form of STD. It has been linked to some forms of cervical cancer. It causes the cervical cell changes that were noticed on the pap test. Colposcopy can examine the cells & treat if found early. HPV is the disease that you see the "just one more" Gardisel commercial for. Guardisal is a vaccine that prevents HPV. If you have a GYN doctor you are more comfortable with, maybe she should get a second opinion there so you can help her understand all her options. Also, because she has the cell changes now, it doesn't mean she has cancer now, but it can LEAD to cervical cancer down the road. Hope this helps some...

 

[N&B'smom]

Cervical Cancer survivor here. I agree with everyone that she should get a second opinion but get it quickly. No putting this off. My situation was different, very rare form of cervical cancer not related to HPV. Anyway, they did do a colposcopy and that is how they found it was cancer for sure. (the tests (PAPS) had come back inconclusive until then) They did the colposcopy, found out what it was and removed the problem area. My margins were clear but to be on the safe side they felt a hysterectomy was necessary.

Anyway....that may be a bit too much info but please OP get your DD to a Dr that is not at the campus clinic.

 

[maelstrom]

As far as I know, they need to do the colposcopy FIRST to determine if it is cancer or not. All the PAP smear has determined is that she has some funky cells in her cervix that they want to follow up on, to determine if it is HPV and if it is, if there is cancer present. Get her to a regular gynecologist's office; this clinic sounds a little ridiculous.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Definately get a second opinion, especially on how to treat. I had some Pre-cancerous cells on my cervix after having my DD. When the first Pap came back abnormal, they had me come back for a second, and then did a colposcopy after those results were abnormal as well. My Dr. explained that the colposcopy was just a biopsy, so If that is how they are planning to "treat" her, I'd be a little concerned (of course, it could all have to do with what stage she is in) Mine was treated with a cone biopsy of my cervix. (LEEP) I had frequent PAP's for a few years after, and am now back to the regular once a year. The other thing that doesn't make sense with the OP's DD is that I've never heard of a PAP coming back the same day. Either she isn't telling the full story, or something is up with the clinic. You don't want to let it go, but definately don't want her to have any unneccessary procedures either.

 

[DizBelle]

I find it odd that just a short time after the swab was taken (on the same day while she was still there for her appointment) that they determined the results were atypical. I've NEVER gotten pap smear results on the same day. Don't they send them off to a lab for analysis? I go to a private doctor with a great facility. I find it had to believe that a college campus clinic has a better facility than a private doctor.

And then on the second appointment, without any exam at all, they tell her she has cervical cancer.

I don't think this is what happened. They may have told her at her second appointment that the pap smear results indicated HPV which can lead to cervical cancer. This DOES NOT mean that she has cervical cancer.

 

[RitaZ.]

My friend had to receive treatment for HPV when she was in her 20's. Her case was more advanced though and her treatment took months.

She should get a second opinion just to be sure.

 

[Abbie]

It causes the cervical cell changes that were noticed on the pap test.

Yes, but is this something that can be determined with any sort of accuracy from just a visual inspection? According to the OP, they were telling her there were atypical results on her pap before they even sent it out to the lab. I've never heard of that before.

 

[robinb]

It sounds like her "fast PAP" came back with abnormal cells. Did the results from second sample come back? Is this her first PAP or did she have one previously?

I don't think I would go about spending money on a second opinion although I do think that either the nurse was wrong or your DD heard something incorrectly. They will probably NOT remove the abnormal cells during the colposcopy. The colposcopy is when they take a really good look at the cervix and take a biopsy of the effected area to check for cancer. IF it is cancer then they will do ANOTHER procedure to remove the abnormal cells.

I would have her call up and verify what they will do during the colposcopy. They will have a better idea of what her treatment will be after the procedure. I lost half my cervix to HPV. Luckily I had enough of it left when I was pregnant with my DD but I was on bed rest almost the whole time.

 

[focusondisney]

Yes, but is this something that can be determined with any sort of accuracy from just a visual inspection? According to the OP, they were telling her there were atypical results on her pap before they even sent it out to the lab. I've never heard of that before.

I have no direct information on college clinics. But based on the fact that HPV is so rampant among young people & lets face it, college kids aren't great about getting regular medical care, I wonder if they have someone trained to " prescreen" . Just a quick look to see if something might look a little off? Kind of a way to catch the girl while she's there, you know?

 

[robinb]

Yes, but is this something that can be determined with any sort of accuracy from just a visual inspection? According to the OP, they were telling her there were atypical results on her pap before they even sent it out to the lab. I've never heard of that before.

I think there might be a new pap procedure that can be read in the doctors office. I googled it before I wrote my previous response but I can't find it on my phone.