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terrified..doc said i may have dysplasia

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/16/2009 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hello. I'm 24 yrs old. I was diagnosed with colitis this past December. I have been taking Lialda for it . I had my second colonoscopy today. The doctor took lots of biopsies and told me I might have dysplasia. He said he'd let me know next week. He said dysplasia is benign but precancerous. I'm so sad. I keep crying. I have anxiety and depression. My dad might have liver cancer. I'll know next week when they remove his liver tumor. It seems like everything bad is happening one by one. I'm so scared. Does dysplasia mean I'm going to have colon cancer? Please help. :-(

-Terrified

Posted 5/16/2009 7:18 AM (GMT 0)
How scary--to have had two colonoscopies done so soon and to have been given this news. It can't be that bad if your GI had just given you a colonoscopy back in December. Even if you do have dysplasia, there is a good chance your doctor saw it in time for it to be just low-grade dysplasia. To my understanding, the risk of low-grade dysplasia turning into high-grade dysplasia and, eventually, cancer is low. High-grade dysplasia is a more advanced progression towards cancer. However, it is still localized and treatable.

I was told that the treatment for high-grade dysplasia is usually colon removal. Don't feel so bad if this is the news. There are many people who have had their colons removed with great success, and colon removal will mean no chance of getting colon cancer. I think the colon might also be removed for low-grade dysplasia. It think it depends on several factors, including how long you have had UC and the extent of the dysplasia.
Posted 5/16/2009 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Have you ever had an abnormal pap? It's the same thing, they check for changes in the cells. I had a precancerous polyp a few years ago and I couldn't afford a colonoscopy for a long time. I finally got one the other day and the biopsy showed no dysplasia. I thought I would have colon cancer for sure after having the precancerous polyp. I didn't even have any polyps. I wouldn't stress, your doctor was wrong to scare you. Without the results of the biopsy, it is pointless to mention dysplasia. If you did have low grade dysplasia, you would probably have to be watched very closely but it wouldn't be reason to stress right now. Wait and see what happens. Take it easy and try not to focus on the biopsies so much. I am sure they will come back fine. Mine did and I went 2 years with no medical treatment because I couldn't afford it. I was worried I had cancer everyday.
Posted 5/18/2009 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had an abnormal pap. Today I found out I do not have dysplasia! I'm so relieved! :-)
Posted 5/18/2009 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
That's good news. I hope you get good news about your father too.

I think those of us whose colons are monitored might have less chance of getting colon cancer, because they catch those precancerous polyps early and snip them out! My doc says none of her UC patients have developed cancer.

Peace to you.
Posted 5/18/2009 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
What was the reason for the 2nd colonoscopy in such a short time period from your 1st one, if you don't mind me asking? My doctor said I will probably not need another one in 3 years or so.
Posted 5/19/2009 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
That is great. I am so happy for you!
Posted 5/19/2009 7:11 AM (GMT 0)
I am so glad you don't have dysplasia. I would have been so scared if my GI had told me I might have dysplasia.
Posted 5/20/2009 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your support! The reason I have to get a colonoscopy done every 6 months is because I have mild UC and my doctor wants to take biopsies to check for dysplasia every 6 months.

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