post hysterectomy (april 2014), 3 high dose radiation (cells in intravascular space), pap every three months, just had 3rd or 4th pap, all atypical abnormal cells, this time not enough cells. how on taking the sample did they know there were not enough cells? went in a second time, still not enough. they say not to worry and maybe I will be called in next month for a repeat.
Hi, Thanks for writing in. After hysterectomy there can be cancer cells in the area which might be spread in the tissues by micro invasion. This is the presence of cancer cells beyond the cut margins and cannot be seen with eyes. The high dose of radiation therapy tries to kill these cancer cells which are left over after surgery. Since there are some atypical cells after treatment, it is important to continue further treatment till all the abnormal cells have been treated. The last pap smear appears to be inconclusive. This means the results are not clear. You should not worry as regular treatment has been taken and most likely after 3 high dose radiation therapy sessions the cells are usually treated. In doing radiation the cell growth and multiplication is targeted and therefore there is a possibility that abnormal cells have been treated in your case, and you have been told not enough cells. Please do not worry.