It's nice to see that you are so concerned about your girlfriend as too seek out this website to gain information and understanding. I applaude you for that!
HPV is a virus which, once it is contracted, remains in your body. It may go into states of dormancy however you cannot get rid of the virus. Yes the immune system can cause the virus to go into a dormancy/latency state. This can last for months, years and even decades, so just because you have no symptoms, once you have been diagnosed with high risk HPV (HRHPV) you must always be sure to get regular check ups and pap tests as well as the HPV test when appropriate.
The only "wall scraping" which I can think of would be a D & C where they removed the lining of the uterus by scraping the walls. Not sure why they would have done this procedure unless she had other symptoms which you have not included in your post.
First off you need to have your GF get copies of all her reports, her Pap results, HPV results etc. and continue to do so going forward. It is important that she keep her own set of records. It will also assist those here to better help you if we know exactly what results she received.
Not everyone who contracts HRHPV will go on to develop cervical cancer. By the way, HPV is not resonsible for just cervical cancer. I do not wish to alarm you, however, HPV can cause vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer and recently has been shown to cause lung, head/neck and oral cancers.
Several things you didnt mention were a Pap, HPV test results and whether or not she was scheduled for or had a colposcopy. This would be the next step to determine whether or not she has active HPV lesions not only of the cervix, but vaginal walls, vulva, perineum and anal area. Her doc really should be scheduling one based on the info you've given. She needs to ask for one if he hasn't and make sure to request that he also view the external genitalia and anal region as well as cervix. This procedure involves basically washing the cervix with a vinegar solution. The abnormal cells will turn white (acetowhitening) when exposed to vinegar and often can then be seen with the naked eye. Usually however the doctor will use a colposcope, akin to a microscope to visualize the area. As I said, you should ask that he visualize the external genitalia and anal area too while he's there anyhow. Many people are shocked to hear that HPV can cause anal cancer. Having had anal cancer from HPV twice and just (past week) having completed treatment for a recurrent anal cancer I can certainly attest to this from personal experience.
On the bright side, only about 10% of individuals will have persistent hPV infections leading to severe dysplasia and cancers. Remember you are not really treating the HPV but the symptoms which it is producing (the abnormal cells or dysplasia and possibly if left untreated, cancer). This is why she must continue to be routinely checked and let any future doc she may go to know that she has a history of high risk HPV.
There is no reason to believe that she would not be able to go on to have children. I was originally diagnosed with HPV ih 1987 and despite having cervical involvement requiring laser ablation I went on to have my daughter who is now 17 years old. So before you get too alamed here get copies of her records and get back to me and I can assist you further. I hope this helps. You didn't mention her age. I know this is a very scary time for the both of you! Try to be as supportive of each other as you can. Going with her for these procedures can be very reassuring for her, and you in a way to hear first hand what the doc has to say. It seems that you're already on the road to doing those things so keep it up.
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It's nice to see that you are so concerned about your girlfriend as too seek out this website to gain information and understanding. I applaude you for that!
HPV is a virus which, once it is contracted, remains in your body. It may go into states of dormancy however you cannot get rid of the virus. Yes the immune system can cause the virus to go into a dormancy/latency state. This can last for months, years and even decades, so just because you have no symptoms, once you have been diagnosed with high risk HPV (HRHPV) you must always be sure to get regular check ups and pap tests as well as the HPV test when appropriate.
The only "wall scraping" which I can think of would be a D & C where they removed the lining of the uterus by scraping the walls. Not sure why they would have done this procedure unless she had other symptoms which you have not included in your post.
First off you need to have your GF get copies of all her reports, her Pap results, HPV results etc. and continue to do so going forward. It is important that she keep her own set of records. It will also assist those here to better help you if we know exactly what results she received.
Not everyone who contracts HRHPV will go on to develop cervical cancer. By the way, HPV is not resonsible for just cervical cancer. I do not wish to alarm you, however, HPV can cause vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, anal cancer and recently has been shown to cause lung, head/neck and oral cancers.
Several things you didnt mention were a Pap, HPV test results and whether or not she was scheduled for or had a colposcopy. This would be the next step to determine whether or not she has active HPV lesions not only of the cervix, but vaginal walls, vulva, perineum and anal area. Her doc really should be scheduling one based on the info you've given. She needs to ask for one if he hasn't and make sure to request that he also view the external genitalia and anal region as well as cervix. This procedure involves basically washing the cervix with a vinegar solution. The abnormal cells will turn white (acetowhitening) when exposed to vinegar and often can then be seen with the naked eye. Usually however the doctor will use a colposcope, akin to a microscope to visualize the area. As I said, you should ask that he visualize the external genitalia and anal area too while he's there anyhow. Many people are shocked to hear that HPV can cause anal cancer. Having had anal cancer from HPV twice and just (past week) having completed treatment for a recurrent anal cancer I can certainly attest to this from personal experience.
On the bright side, only about 10% of individuals will have persistent hPV infections leading to severe dysplasia and cancers. Remember you are not really treating the HPV but the symptoms which it is producing (the abnormal cells or dysplasia and possibly if left untreated, cancer). This is why she must continue to be routinely checked and let any future doc she may go to know that she has a history of high risk HPV.
There is no reason to believe that she would not be able to go on to have children. I was originally diagnosed with HPV ih 1987 and despite having cervical involvement requiring laser ablation I went on to have my daughter who is now 17 years old. So before you get too alamed here get copies of her records and get back to me and I can assist you further. I hope this helps. You didn't mention her age. I know this is a very scary time for the both of you! Try to be as supportive of each other as you can. Going with her for these procedures can be very reassuring for her, and you in a way to hear first hand what the doc has to say. It seems that you're already on the road to doing those things so keep it up.
September 2, 2009 - 10:01pmThis Comment
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