Anal Pap Smear results-updated

[Longislander]

I posted this after I got my latest lab results;

Anal pap smear results are negative for low-risk HPV, but positive for high-risk HPV, which is the one that would lead to anal cancer? They have a call in to a specialist at a hospital who deals with this to see if I should just be further monitored or examined by him. I am on lunch and haven't time right now to research this

I spoke with the PA today and I was a bit confused with the results. There isn't much info on the net ( that I could find) about men and HPV. The PA confirmed the vaguesness of the info out there.

My results don't show abnormal cells, just somehow tested positive for the high-risk HPV. As they can tell now, there are no abnormal cells, and no cancer. The call into the specialist at Stonybrook Univ Hosp. is so they can find out if there is better or more testing that can be done that my Doc is unaware of, and we're waiting for his call.

SO I'm taking it as slightly better news than I originally thought.

Has anyone dealt with this before?

[Miss Philicia]

Yes, I tested with irregular cell structure about 4 years ago and went to a specialist a few times for more detailed "investigations" where they made videos of my anus' innards and even did some laser surgery to remove a "dysplasia" area.  Dr. Stephen Goldstone on 23rd St. is horribly good if you need a reference in the NYC area, but you really don't need to go any further if it didn't show any irregular structure yet, or at least that is my understanding.  You should still have a PAP smear done yearly I think to monitor it.

There is a thread on this already where I went into more detail.

[Cliff]

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/HPV_6805.shtml 

Check out the link above.  I have (or had) anal dysplasia.  My understanding this is when you have abnormal cells (high risk HPV) but they are in the precancerous stage.  The cells can go on to develop into cancer or they may not.  My proc doc advised treatment (basically removing the cells by laser or something).  The procedure can result in significant discomfort afterwards, so if you go through with it, I think you should take a few days (if not a week or so) off from work.  I think I took 2 weeks off, just to completely recover. 

[Longislander]

Thanks Philly,  depending on what the specialist says, I believe whats next is probably just to monitor it yearly, or maybe even semi-annually ( just to be overly precautious!). What was confusing is that I thought she meant abnormal cells when I was originally told, but today she said, no, no abnormal cells as of now.

thanks Cliff, if I do need the laser surgery, perhaps a week or two in PR might help me recover quite nicely~

[NewYorkKat]

I got one done and it showed irregular cells. My dr took two chunks out and it hurt afterward. The results were that one was negative and the other was "inconclusive". That dr said i shuld have another one "just to be sure". Now I hear this docotor is famous for "second tests" that might do not have to be done. I will see Dr. Goldstone in 2 weeks and ask what I should do since I learned he is the best at what he does.

[cayucosguy]

I was diagnosed almost a year ago, and have gone through three laser surgeries with a third scheduled.  While the initial surgery caused quite a bit of discomfort (had 7 lesions removed), the subsequent surgeries have gone much better, and only needed one or two days off of work (even drove myself from San Francisco back to San Luis Obispo, CA area (220 miles) within an hour of getting out of surgery. 

You'll probably be wearing a "pad" for a day or two (I still don't understand how women can wear them several days per month - so damned uncomfortable!) as there will be some residual bleeding.

I would also recommend arranging for some pain medication up-front so that you don't wait to wait for your pharmacy to fill the prescription after the surgery.  Avoid any meds that can cause constipation (Vicodin, Hydrocodone, etc) as a "hard" bowel movement may cause minor tearing of the area where the lesions are removed.

I hope this doesn't sound too grim, but everyone that I talked to ahead of time gave me a "rosy picture" of the procedure and after effects that just didn't prove true for me.

Good luck, and let us know how things go.  I will be sending good thoughts your way.

Vince

[Miss Philicia]

Yes, I should have added I only had 1 place treated by laser surgery and I was recovered within 2 days easily.  I only had some bleeding on the day of the surgery in the evening if I recall it correctly, and was prescribed some hydrocodone to take as needed.  Of course, as I recovered so quickly I had extra hydrocodone to play with

[puertorico2006]

Puerto Rico is good therapy haha (well ever since i quit my job and now have time to enjoy it lol)

[Longislander]

well, PR2006, too bad you weren't 'free' a few weeks ago when I was there! Hopefully next time I'm there you can join me and Catman for a drink at the beach bar!

[puertorico2006]

sounds like fun i always am in need of a drink lol

whos catman?

now im not busy i have no job :-P (still have school though)

[Longislander]

who's Catman?? lol

He's our 'other' resident PR'n member, sweet ,sweet man, and excellent PR tour guide!!

[puertorico2006]

oh ok...dont know if ive spoken to him or not (but im a bit forgetful sometimes   )

[Longislander]

you're forgiven...........

you can find a link to him from his post in here;

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=10197.0