Endometrial biopsy normal, pap smear ABNORMAL?

Calantha · 03-06-2003, 05:30 PM

My gyn's office just called. The biopsy I had last week was normal, but my pap smear, the thing I was LEAST worried about with regard to my health, came back ABNORMAL. I asked what that means and couldn't get a straight answer. The nurse said "It's NOT cancer, so don't worry about that".. but what COULD it be?? What good does it do to tell me not to worry about one thing and then leave me to worry about every other possible thing that could go wrong? She scheduled me for a coloscopy and possibly a cervical biopsy. Ok, if it's not cancer, WHY the biopsy?? I'm freaking out here. I don't have any idea what could possibly be wrong with me. I'm crying and shaking and I won't even get the test until the 25th! What am I supposed to do? Just sit here and worry my hair gray til then?
Has anyone had this happen before?? Did they tell you what it could be??

-Brandy

Linda_G · 03-06-2003, 08:33 PM

yes I have had this happen. Usually all it means is that your test didn't come back with "normal" parameters. Some dr's like to just repeat the test, others like to get a little more thorough and do the biopsy "just in case" to be absolutely certain that the abnormal cells aren't cancerous.

Sometimes the cells can be classified as "pre-cancerous", BUT that still doesn't mean they will turn into a cancer.

I had both the coloscopy and biopsy done, and both came back just fine. The only thing different after that was my dr wanted me to have 6 monthly pap smears instead of annually for 2 years. Everything came back clear on all of those tests.

So hang in there and just try not to worry yourself too much okay .....easier said than done though huh ....

MelissaAnne · 03-09-2003, 01:45 AM

Just wanted to let you know that I had an abnormal pap and just got my results back from my colopscopy and the other test they did on me. Everything was fine.

My brother helped me put my fears in perspective when I called him and told him I had an abnormal pap a month ago - he said, "I think every woman has an abnormal pap test." So it's far more common than we'd like to believe. Sure, it's scary. But just know that lots of women go through it - you're not alone.

RoxieInPa · 03-09-2003, 12:33 PM

Dec. of 2001 my pap came back "not normal" so I had another pap in Feb. That also came back bad (worse then the 1st one) March I went for a colposcopy (sp?) and biopsy. They also were not normal. Had to have lazer surgery of the cervix in May of 2002 Pap test on Aug. and December were NORMAL! All is good with that now! If you do need to have that done... I was real scared but I should not have been (I am a BIG BABY!) Although I had it done in the hospital and got "put out...LOL" My sister In Law (DH's sister) also had the same thing done but in the Dr's office. She had a little pain but not lots. I am sure all will work out very well for you!

katiwren · 03-09-2003, 12:58 PM

My sister had this happen too. Her experience was pretty much what Linda's was. Don't stress about it. Lots of women get abnormal smears, and it usually doesn't mean anything. In the long run, all it has meant for my sister is more frequent paps. Unpleasant, but no big deal really.

--KT