pap test confusion..??

Question

i had abnormal cells on my first pap, then went for a biopsy and now have to get another pap done...my biopsy results were slightly better than the pap.. why do i have to get another pap instead of undergoing treatment... help clarify please?

Answer 1

Abnormal results do not always mean cancer. I have even seen allergic reactions (such as one woman's allergy to latex in condoms) give abnormal results. So therefore, most likely after the biopsy came back with better news, they want to monitor your progress through another pap smear in order to declare the findings.

Answer 2

I had an abnormal pap last year, did a biopsy, then had to go in and get a pap every 3 months for a year to make sure nothing changed. It kind of sucked, but I didn't need treatment... That might be what you gyn is doing, too

Answer 3

They will probably make you have those until your results come back normal.. once they come back normal you still need 2 paps a year until 2 paps in a row come back normal, then you can go to one pap a year. They must not have found anything too concerning if your colposcopy did not prompt them to do anything other than just another pap.

Answer 4

The standard procedure to be certain the abnormal cells aren't cancerous is to do repeat PAP tests after the biopsy x 2 years. Then it will be recommended you will need them annually for five years after that.
WHY? Be greatful that they are watching your cells. Cervical cancer cells grow very very slowly. So they watch them over time.

Answer 5

maybe they want another pap test result before deciding further treatment is needed, since the second result was better than the first.

Answer 6

you may not need treatment and the repeat pap is to continue to observe the cells on your cervix. not everyone gets treated for dysplasia