Understanding Colposcopy Findings
A 32-year-old female with a history of Crohn’s disease currently on immunosuppressive therapy seeks clarification on her recent medical results, as her physician is unavailable, leading to her heightened anxiety. 1. The biopsy taken from the cervix at 4 o'clock revealed a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, classified as CIN 3. The immunohistochemical staining for p16 supports this diagnosis, showing a strong positive result. 2. The curettage of the endocervix showed small fragments indicative of a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion as well. Additionally, there were separate fragments of normal, benign endocervical tissue present, with the p16 immunostain again corroborating the findings for the lesion.
Answers (1)
2/13/2026, 6:30:44 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to feel anxious about your recent colposcopy findings, especially with your underlying health conditions. Here’s a clear breakdown of your results and guidance on what to consider next.
Main Points of Your Findings:
- High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (CIN 3): This means that the biopsy detected significant changes in the cervical cells, which could indicate that they might develop into cancer if not treated.
- Positive p16 Staining: This suggests that the changes in your cervical cells are strongly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is a common factor in cervical lesions.
- Curettage Findings: The identification of additional lesions indicates the presence of high-grade changes, but also normal tissue, which is a reassuring sign.
Explanation:
CIN 3 is considered severe and requires follow-up, usually in the form of treatment to remove the affected area of the cervix. Given your history of Crohn’s disease and current immunosuppressive therapy, managing any potential treatment is essential to minimize risks and ensure your overall health remains stable.
Next Steps:
-
Stay Informed: Understanding your diagnosis is crucial. Research reliable sources about CIN 3 and HPV to better understand your condition.
-
Prepare for Treatment Options: Typically, CIN 3 is treated with procedures such as excisional techniques (like LEEP or cervical conization) to remove the abnormal cells. Make a list of questions about what these procedures entail.
-
Maintain Communication: Although your physician is currently unavailable, it’s important to reach out to their office for more information when they return. Ask about scheduling a follow-up appointment to discuss your results and required next steps.
-
Focus on Self-Care: While waiting for your next physician visit:
- Manage stress through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.
- Keep a record of any symptoms or changes in your health, considering your Crohn’s disease management as well.
- If you have questions about how your immune therapy interacts with your cervical lesion, prepare these to discuss with your doctor.
Reassurance:
Your medical team will work with you to decide the best course of action to address these findings and protect your health. Remember, the early detection of such lesions often leads to effective treatment and good outcomes. If any urgent symptoms arise before your next appointment, don’t hesitate to seek immediate care.
Related Questions
Evaluating MCP Instability and Nighttime Numbness: Mechanical or Neurological Origins?
A 30-year-old male reports experiencing peculiar sensations at the MCP joints of his middle, ring, and pinky fingers for over two years. He notes that there is no visible swelling or deformity in his hands. When flexing or extending his fingers, he sometimes detects a mild popping sound, yet the discomfort remains minimal throughout the day. However, the situation escalates during the night. He often awakens with stiffness and occasional numbness in his ring and pinky fingers, although symptoms tend to resolve fairly quickly upon movement. Throughout the day, he does not experience persistent numbness, weakness, or swelling. He raises several potential concerns regarding the causes of his symptoms, including: - Irritation of the sagittal band - Compression at the cubital tunnel - Possible cervical spine involvement - An inflammatory condition Which of these possibilities would you suggest investigating first?
Seeking Guidance on Low Transferrin and Ongoing Gastrointestinal Concerns
Hello everyone, Recently, I underwent a blood test to evaluate my iron levels along with other metrics, and it revealed that I have low transferrin. My results show a level of 2.14 g/L, while the normal lower limit is set at 2.52 g/L. All other parameters appeared to be within normal ranges, although the lab included a cautionary note suggesting I may have a 15% likelihood of being deficient in vitamin B12. I suffer from chronic gastrointestinal problems, experiencing some form of discomfort daily. Although I experimented with the FODMAP diet and observed minor improvements initially, those changes were not significant enough to change my overall condition. Additionally, I cut dairy from my diet, but it yielded little to no benefit. During a follow-up visit to my doctor, he dismissed the significance of the low transferrin level without addressing the vitamin B12 concern. He speculated it could be attributed to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anxiety, or issues related to my female reproductive system, despite my indication that I currently do not have any concerns regarding anxiety or gynecological matters. I have been prescribed propranolol at a dosage of 40 mg, and I took my first dose today. At this point, I’m willing to try anything. The doctor also advised me to use Imodium, an antidiarrheal medication, to alleviate my symptoms and essentially told me to manage as best as I could. However, I have previously encountered problems with Imodium, as it led to severe constipation, causing painful discomfort. Furthermore, I have been experiencing symptoms linked to low iron, which the doctor didn't seem to acknowledge when I mentioned them, including allodynia, hair loss, cognitive fog, femur pain, and restless legs. After this consultation, I’ve been effectively discharged without any follow-up investigation or treatment beyond the anxiety medication and a suggestion for the antidiarrheal. I have a couple of questions I hope to clarify: 1. Should I be pursuing some form of intervention regarding my low transferrin levels? It seems unlikely that anxiety medication and antidiarrheal treatment will rectify this issue. 2. Could my longstanding gastrointestinal problems be the underlying cause of the low transferrin and potential vitamin B12 deficiency? What recommendations can anyone provide based on my current investigations that could assist me when I revisit my doctor? Please feel free to reach out if you need any additional details; I am willing to share whatever I can. Thank you in advance for your advice. Best, J.
Anxiety About Upcoming EGD Procedure
Greetings, I’m a 23-year-old Caucasian male residing in the United States. Throughout my college years, I didn't prioritize nutrition and I led a fairly sedentary lifestyle. I had occasional recreational marijuana use and drank alcohol regularly; however, I have since reduced both habits since last November. Over the last year, I have experienced intermittent mild symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including some heartburn and reflux, particularly after consuming spicy dishes. Recently, a surge of health-related anxiety has prompted me to undergo various tests; I have had a colonoscopy, a chest CT scan with IV contrast to check for pulmonary embolism, and several cardiac evaluations, all of which yielded normal results. Apart from a slightly elevated mean platelet volume (MPV) of 8.6 noted a month ago, my blood tests were unremarkable. My GERD symptoms were not a primary concern at that time, and they typically fluctuated without causing significant issues beyond occasional indigestion. Last Saturday, however, I found myself consumed with worry about the possibility of having stomach cancer. Despite my gastroenterologist’s reassurance, an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) was scheduled to investigate my symptoms further. As my appointment approaches in six days, I am plagued with fear about receiving bad news regarding my health. I have no significant family medical history, and my symptoms include: - Recurrent acidic belching - Discomfort in the upper left abdomen, with some pain in the lower region - Persistent dull chest pain along the left side, occasionally on the right - Frequent belching accompanied by bloating - Decreased appetite, which has emerged recently as my anxiety has intensified - Intermittent upper back pain, likely exacerbated by poor posture I can't shake the terrifying possibility of having stomach or esophageal cancer and the thought of the endoscopy leading to grim news. Although several friends have reassured me that the risk is low, considering my age, lack of severe symptoms, and no family history, I still fear that hoping for a positive outcome will only lead to disappointment. Enduring the next six days feels overwhelming, and I've been attempting to reach out for a sooner appointment. If anyone has advice or suggestions on how to cope with this anxious period, I would greatly appreciate it. I’m wrestling with the fear of hoping for positive results only to have that hope shattered.
Evaluating the Actions of My Plastic Surgeon: A Year Later
As a 30-year-old woman, I underwent a tummy tuck and liposuction for my arms and lower back over a year ago, and I've been reflecting on the experience. During my initial consultations, I met with two surgeons regarding the tummy tuck. One suggested a traditional approach suitable for my circumstances—specifically, I had gained 24 kilograms during my pregnancy after having one child. The second surgeon recommended a full abdominoplasty with the technique known as FDL, but I opted for the latter due to a significant price difference of $10,000. We discussed my preferences for scarring, and I expressed that I wanted to avoid vertical scars, which ultimately led me to choose this surgeon. I also specified that I preferred my scar to align with my cesarean section scar. As for the liposuction in my arms, I was eager to achieve slimmer arms and voiced concerns about the potential for an uneven appearance. The surgeon assured me that he would create a fit look and marked the incision points accordingly. However, one week post-operative, I noticed my scar was positioned too high. The surgeon casually suggested that engaging in ‘superman exercises’ might help the scar settle lower. I found this advice quite disconcerting, especially considering this was merely two weeks post-surgery. Additionally, I was disappointed to discover that my hairline had also shifted higher, causing issues with my underwear coverage, which I had not been pre-warned about. When I brought up the swelling in my mons pubis area, the surgeon's responses were dismissive, with vague ‘hmmm’ replies. Upon conducting my own research, I learned that this issue was quite common and pressed him for clarity, to which he finally acknowledged that some of his patients have faced similar concerns. I felt he should have been more forthright about this matter rather than being evasive. He proposed addressing the swelling with liposuction two months after my surgery, but I expected him to suggest a wait-and-see approach instead. I also had concerns about my belly button appearance; he had previously promised an attractive result but instead provided a slit-like shape. I sought a revision, hoping to fix the scar placement around my belly button, but he cited increased infection risk as a rationale for his refusal to make the incision within the belly button's hole. Following the revision, the belly button still appeared odd, prompting me to consult another surgeon who noted that the stalk was excessively long. The results for my arms were even worse; the surgeon's superior referred to it as a deformity attributable to oversuction. The results on my back were equally disappointing, lacking the desired blending. Following these issues, I filed a formal complaint with the hospital. However, the surgeon claimed my rejection of the FDL technique was to blame for my elevated pubic hairline and the belly button’s unusual shape. I’m left questioning whether this truly relates. Regarding my arms, I was informed that what I experienced was merely an undesirable outcome and not a case of negligence. Is there any way to substantiate this? Despite assurances that liposuction scars would be discreet, the scars appeared prominently on the outer arms. Since the tummy tightness remains uncomfortable when stretching, another surgeon suggested he could redo the tummy tuck for me. Should I pursue that, or would it be wiser to only address the arms through fat grafting, along with correcting the belly button and the lower back? Ultimately, I am left questioning the competence of this surgeon or if perhaps I am just the victim of unfortunate luck. His superior posed inquiries regarding the techniques he employed, skin and fat removal quantities, yet the surgeon was uncooperative and defensive. This further muddies my faith in his expertise.
Is It Normal to Feel Worse Before Improvement on Hydroxychloroquine?
I’m a 37-year-old, standing at 5'2" and weighing 110 lbs. Recently, I started taking hydroxychloroquine for my autoimmune disorder. My diagnosis primarily indicates spondyloarthropathy, but I've noticed that my recent flare-ups have come with a variety of symptoms, including nerve-related issues, dysautonomia, muscle discomfort, and weakness, as well as respiratory problems like coughing and shortness of breath. Moreover, I've experienced soft tissue pain, flu-like symptoms, sporadic fevers, and swollen lymph nodes along with swollen salivary glands. My rheumatologist has decided to give hydroxychloroquine a try for my treatment. While steroids were effective in alleviating my previous flare, since beginning hydroxychloroquine this past week, I've been feeling more unwell and flu-like. I’m worried that I might be on the brink of another flare. Is such a reaction a typical, temporary phase when starting this medication?