Looks like I may have to discuss with a patient the possibility of cervical cancer.

[Aristus]

She told me she had a history of abnormal PAP smears, but that she hadn't followed up on it. The exam was not encouraging, with a presentation that resembled early-stage cervical carcinoma.

I got lab specimens and referred her for an stat ultrasound. We'll see what happens...

Thank you, DU friends, for always being there for me in times like these.

I love you all...

[elleng]

1. Love YOU for sharing your concerns with us.

[Aristus]

5. Thank you, ellen.

I trust the Loungers, that's why. If I shared this in GD, I'd get torn to pieces by a passel of haters eager to dump on me and my medical experiences.

[walkingman]

2. Thank you for what you do. I lost my sister to cervical cancer.

[Aristus]

6. I'm sorry to hear that. That must have been very painful for you.

I'll keep your sister in mind as I try to sort this out.

[samnsara]

16. oh...Im so sorry....

[blm]

3. ((Aristus))

[Aristus]

7. Thank you.

[Ohiogal]

4. Enjoy your posts Aristus.

Always intelligent and compassionate.

Your job sure isn’t an easy one.

[Aristus]

8. It is hard. I like that it's hard. Every day, a new challenge.

I like being trusted, and the responsibilities that come with earning that trust.

Sometimes, we can make things better. Sometimes, all we can do is delay the inevitable...

[blueinredohio]

9. My mother had cervical cancer in 1988, she had a "radical" hysterectomy

and lived until 2017. So maybe all is not doom and gloom but I wish your patient good luck and thank you for caring.

[Aristus]

10. Update: I reviewed the preliminary results with the patient, and she took it well.

She thought it might lead to this. She already has a referral to gynecology and for a follow-up pelvic MRI. We'll see how it goes. We were both encouraged by the fact that, if this is cervical carcinoma, it looks to be in the early stages. The ultrasound interpreter reported that there is the possibility that it is a benign mass.

Hoping to get good news for my patient...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Ah, my dear Aristus...

Bless you for doing the tough work. It has to be so difficult sometimes.

I hope all will turn out well for your patient.

I read your update and I'm hoping right alongside you...

[DFW]

12. My wife got just such a diagnosis in October 2016. Hers was a variety known here as "the murderer."

She had already had breast cancer in 2001, and the women in her family have ALL had cancer, some twice. So, she knew she was in constant danger. During a routine exam in October, 2016, her doctor noticed three small spots on her uterus. He said they were probably nothing, but with her history, she should get them biopsied immediately just in case. She did.

Two were indeed nothing. The third was "the murderer," so named because it always kills. This form of uterine cancer only strikes the very elderly (she was 64, so not) and the very slender (she is--5'10" and weighs 130 pounds) and is virtually never detected because the symptoms are silent. Hers were discovered by pure chance. She was sent to a specialist surgeon, who pulled some strings to get her an early operation slot. It was a brutal five and a half hour operation, and they pulled out 84 lymph nodes and some stomach lining. We waited a WEEK, biting our nails. The surgeon then called us in. He said he had NEVER seen this before, but ALL of her biopsies came back negative. He had never caught "the murderer" this early, and said it was first time he would ever recommend against chemo, as he was pretty sure he had gotten it all. He said there was still a risk, but only a minimal one. Her choice. She said she'd risk it it without the chemo, since the last time, she suffered greatly. So far, it has been the right decision.

With cancer, it's ALWAYS the same. Get checked. If the news is bad, get treated YESTERDAY.

By the way, she bounced back from the operation to the point that she was nagged by a receptionist at her gynecologist's. She was told that she had filled in her date of birth incorrectly. My wife was pretty sure she knew her date of birth, so she asked what was wrong. The receptionist said, "for this date to be correct, you'd have to be 64 years old!" My wife answered that she WAS 64 years old. The receptionist just stared with "WOW" written all over her face.

Again--if there is a malignancy, do NOT wait. It's probably not going away on its own, and you might just save yourself in the process.

[samnsara]

17. that story was scary!...but glad it had a good ending...

[Beatleman]

13. What we need more

is compassion in the medical field,thank you

[Aristus]

14. Very nice, thank you.

Welcome to DU. I'm a big fan of The Beatles myself.

[samnsara]

15. ..and thank you for being there and caring for your patient in her time of need.