Hi ,
I have had a very complicated past with abnormal cells and HPV… so i first tested possitive for HPV and abnormal cells about 6 years ago. Since then i have had a smer test every year, numerous coloscpys, 2 biopsies, LLETZ treatment and a removel of a cyst on my cervix. My most recent smer test cameback HPV possitive with CIN 1 abnormality. Of course i will be having anouther coloscpy appointment.
I am extremly nervous this time round as i have heard its quite rare to have abnormal cells and HPV after LLETZ treatment. Has anyone else also still had theases problems after LLETZ ? I have also read that sometimes they will want to do a hysterectomy if you hsve reoccurring abnormalitys i am 33 and have never had children but would love to have them in the future… so this was extemly worrying to hear!
Any advice would be soo welcome !
X
Hi Worriedcatmum,
Sorry to hear about your persistent HPV and the consequences…. But join the club. You will find that having HPV after LLETZ is actually not that rare, any more than cervical cancer is rare. You cannot magically ‘remove’ a virus with the abnormal cells, which is how it sounds when you’re told the procedure will probably ‘clear’ HPV. HPV variants are extremely persistent but ‘silent’ in the case of high risk variants, in that they don’t give any symptoms other than slow and progressive change in epithelial cells in a cervix. There is also thinking that HPV can never be ‘removed’ only rendered inactive and that largely by the body’s immune system, which may be triggered by LLETZ. However, this is not guaranteed, and there are many women on this forum who have received more than one LLETZ procedure and other who have gone on to get cancer. The statistics are in your favour with CIN1 in that in about 60% of cases it spontaneously resolves, probably along with dormancy of HPV, but some cases it will stay the same or will go on to progress to CIN2, etc. CIN2 normally invokes LLETZ treatment, although some people opt for ‘conservative treatment’ (wait, watch and see) - especially if they want a family. CIN3 is always treated as the risk of cancer is much higher.
As long as you have CIN and not CGIN (glandular abnormalities, and more likely to become cancerous) you’re not going to be offered hysterectomy with CIN1 but if you’re thinking of starting a family please talk to your health care team about this. X
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