Talk Cancer

Question:

Hi everyone, hoping someone can answer a couple questions for me. I know your not Doctors, but maybe one of you have been there. Anyway , just to brief you on my 13 year old daughter. She was dx 2 years ago with severe UC. No meds helped. So this past June she had the j-pouch surgery. In August she had the reversal. It was a success. We have just received a copy of the pathology report. The pathology report is, of course, of her colon and the rectal mucosa. It states Low grade Dysplasia and Hyperplasia of the colon. And positive for low grade Dysplasia of the mucosa. My question is  "What is Dysplasia and Hyperplasia?" I may be wrong, but isn’t Dysplasia the 1st signs of cancer? If so THANK GOD she had the surgery!!!! Any help is much appreciated. Thanks ……JOJO

Response:

JoJo, Hyperplasia is an increase of the number of cells, so your daughter had too many cells in her colon. Not enough or too many cells is not normal. Dysplasia is the first sign of cancer, thank heavens your daughter had surgery! I hope she is feeling well and doing great. Susan R. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -WALLY FOSTER wrote in message <01bde6a4$31532700$87331ed1@default>… >Hi everyone, hoping someone can answer a couple questions for me. I know >your not Doctors, but maybe one of you have been there. >Anyway , just to brief you on my 13 year old daughter. She was dx 2 years >ago with severe UC. No meds helped. So this past June she had the j-pouch >surgery. In August she had the reversal. It was a success. >We have just received a copy of the pathology report. >The pathology report is, of course, of her colon and the rectal mucosa. It >states Low grade Dysplasia and Hyperplasia of the colon. >And positive for low grade Dysplasia of the mucosa. >My question is  "What is Dysplasia and Hyperplasia?" >I may be wrong, but isn’t Dysplasia the 1st signs of cancer? If so THANK >GOD she had the surgery!!!! Any help is much appreciated. >Thanks ……JOJO

Response:

Yes. Dysplasia is a sign of oncoming cancer. Barbara Skoglund In article <01bde6a4$31532700$87331ed1@default>,   "WALLY FOSTER" <foste…@flash.net> wrote: > Hi everyone, hoping someone can answer a couple questions for me. I know > your not Doctors, but maybe one of you have been there. > Anyway , just to brief you on my 13 year old daughter. She was dx 2 years > ago with severe UC. No meds helped. So this past June she had the j-pouch > surgery. In August she had the reversal. It was a success. > We have just received a copy of the pathology report. > The pathology report is, of course, of her colon and the rectal mucosa. It > states Low grade Dysplasia and Hyperplasia of the colon. > And positive for low grade Dysplasia of the mucosa. > My question is  "What is Dysplasia and Hyperplasia?" > I may be wrong, but isn’t Dysplasia the 1st signs of cancer? If so THANK > GOD she had the surgery!!!! Any help is much appreciated. > Thanks ……JOJO

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Response:

What is the best-low cost–system for a colostomy patient? I have tried many different systems and find them all very expensive!!

Response:

Wally Foster wrote: >We have just received a copy of the pathology report. >The pathology report is, of course, of her colon and the rectal mucosa. It >states Low grade Dysplasia and Hyperplasia of the colon. >And positive for low grade Dysplasia of the mucosa. >My question is  "What is Dysplasia and Hyperplasia?" >I may be wrong, but isn’t Dysplasia the 1st signs of cancer?

Although I am not a doctor, I do know that dysplasia is NOT cancer or even a sign of oncoming cancer.  I work in the pathology laboratory of a large medical center.  We analyze all types of specimens including blood, urine, feces, spinal fluid, tissue biopsies, etc.  Dysplasia is a term meaning "abnormal" cell growth or development.  Hyperplasia indicates increased cellular turnover (i.e. increased production).  Dysplasia can be the result of many different conditions.  When there is infection there is usually dysplasia.  This is the most common cause of cervical dysplasia.  In fact, if a woman uses a douche within 24-48 hours before a pap smear it is very highly probably that her report will come back with a diagnosis of cervical dysplasia.  In this case, it is a perfectly harmless temporary condition.  In the case of UC, the ulcerations would be expected to cause dysplasia.  Hyperplasia is the normal response of the body to generate new normal cells to replace the old ones. When you cut yourself, your skin responds by growing new skin cells at an increased rate (hyperplasia) at the site of the injury.  This is normal.  When hyperplasia exists alone or aside from its normal response to cell damage, this would be of even more concern than dysplasia.  Leukemia, for example, is hyperplasia of a particular white blood cell which is beyond the body’s normal response to infection.  In fact the hyperplasia becomes uncontrolled to such an extent that the bone marrow is unable to produce other types of white and red blood cells because it is too busy producing one particular type.  I am not saying that it is normal to have dysplasia.  I am saying that its location and the underlying cause of dysplasia needs to be identified.  In most cases it is totally unrelated to malignancy or impending malignancy.  In your daughter’s case, the report was "low grade dysplasia and hyperplasia"  Her intestinal mucosa (which is made up of cells) has been irritated by the UC causing dysplasia.  When you get a sunburn, your skin cells become irritated in a somewhat similar way.  The relationship between dysplasia and cancer comes about when for example you get repeated dysplasia for which the underlying condition is not treated.  After a while, in some individuals, the cells lose their ability to "fix" themselves.  The dysplasia can progress and then develop into more abnormal cells and finally into malignant cells.  This is a progressive process and in most cases, malignancy does not develop. Individuals who repeatedly get sunburns are therefore more prone to developing skin cancer.  However, with sunburns, aside from the actual burn, the sun’s radiation can cause cellular damage or mutation which is more likely to cause the development of skin cancer.  This is why even one severe sunburn in you life can cause skin cancer later in life.  I’m sure if you spoke to your daughter’s doctor he would tell you that she did not have the beginning signs of cancer and he would be happy to explain the meaning of dysplasia, hyperplasia, and their relationship to cancer.  It is good that your daughter had the surgery because I’m sure she feels better, and her quality of life is better,  especially since you said meds were not helping.  Remember, the members of this newsgroup are NOT doctors, myself included.  Do not be afraid to question your doctor or even to call and speak to the pathologist yourself. It is their job.  It is their duty and responsibility.  We even have primary care physicians who call our pathologists to ask them to fully explain these reports to them.  

Response:

Patty, Dysplasia can be the first sign of cancer and should be a concern for those with IBD. No one can tell you whether an early diagnosed case of dysplasia will turn into cancer but why take the risk? With colon cancer as the top cancer killer I sure wouldn’t! As you have said,> "After a while, in some individuals, the cells lose >their ability to "fix" themselves.  The dysplasia can progress and then develop >into more abnormal cells and finally into malignant cells."< Yes, its not

always the first sign of cancer but to have a relaxed attitude is not a good message to send. When given a diagnosis of dysplasia a patient should always follow up with more tests. Thanks for your info and I hope you don’t mind my stressing people to stay on top of their health care. Susan R. PattyPCLab wrote in message

<19980925230832.16399.00001…@ng-fb2.aol.com>… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Wally Foster wrote: >>We have just received a copy of the pathology report. >>The pathology report is, of course, of her colon and the rectal mucosa. It >>states Low grade Dysplasia and Hyperplasia of the colon. >>And positive for low grade Dysplasia of the mucosa. >>My question is  "What is Dysplasia and Hyperplasia?" >>I may be wrong, but isn’t Dysplasia the 1st signs of cancer? >Although I am not a doctor, I do know that dysplasia is NOT cancer or even a >sign of oncoming cancer.  I work in the pathology laboratory of a large medical >center.  We analyze all types of specimens including blood, urine, feces, >spinal fluid, tissue biopsies, etc.  Dysplasia is a term meaning "abnormal" >cell growth or development.  Hyperplasia indicates increased cellular turnover >(i.e. increased production).  Dysplasia can be the result of many different >conditions.  When there is infection there is usually dysplasia.  This is the >most common cause of cervical dysplasia.  In fact, if a woman uses a douche >within 24-48 hours before a pap smear it is very highly probably that her >report will come back with a diagnosis of cervical dysplasia.  In this case, it >is a perfectly harmless temporary condition.  In the case of UC, the >ulcerations would be expected to cause dysplasia.  Hyperplasia is the normal >response of the body to generate new normal cells to replace the old ones. >When you cut yourself, your skin responds by growing new skin cells at an >increased rate (hyperplasia) at the site of the injury.  This is normal. When >hyperplasia exists alone or aside from its normal response to cell damage, this >would be of even more concern than dysplasia.  Leukemia, for example, is >hyperplasia of a particular white blood cell which is beyond the body’s normal >response to infection.  In fact the hyperplasia becomes uncontrolled to such an >extent that the bone marrow is unable to produce other types of white and red >blood cells because it is too busy producing one particular type.  I am not >saying that it is normal to have dysplasia.  I am saying that its location and >the underlying cause of dysplasia needs to be identified.  In most cases it is >totally unrelated to malignancy or impending malignancy.  In your daughter’s >case, the report was "low grade dysplasia and hyperplasia"  Her intestinal >mucosa (which is made up of cells) has been irritated by the UC causing >dysplasia.  When you get a sunburn, your skin cells become irritated in a >somewhat similar way.  The relationship between dysplasia and cancer comes >about when for example you get repeated dysplasia for which the underlying >condition is not treated.  After a while, in some individuals, the cells lose >their ability to "fix" themselves.  The dysplasia can progress and then develop >into more abnormal cells and finally into malignant cells.  This is a >progressive process and in most cases, malignancy does not develop. >Individuals who repeatedly get sunburns are therefore more prone to developing >skin cancer.  However, with sunburns, aside from the actual burn, the sun’s >radiation can cause cellular damage or mutation which is more likely to cause >the development of skin cancer.  This is why even one severe sunburn in you >life can cause skin cancer later in life.  I’m sure if you spoke to your >daughter’s doctor he would tell you that she did not have the beginning signs >of cancer and he would be happy to explain the meaning of dysplasia, >hyperplasia, and their relationship to cancer.  It is good that your daughter >had the surgery because I’m sure she feels better, and her quality of life is >better,  especially since you said meds were not helping.  Remember, the >members of this newsgroup are NOT doctors, myself included.  Do not be afraid >to question your doctor or even to call and speak to the pathologist yourself. >It is their job.  It is their duty and responsibility.  We even have primary >care physicians who call our pathologists to ask them to fully explain these >reports to them.

Response:

In article <19980925230832.16399.00001…@ng-fb2.aol.com>,   pattypc…@aol.com (PattyPCLab) wrote: > Although I am not a doctor, I do know that dysplasia is NOT cancer or even a > sign of oncoming cancer.

This is very different from the information I’ve received from my GI Dr.s, surgeons, OBGYN Dr. and from the written literature about dysplasia of both the colon and the cervix. >When there is infection there is usually dysplasia.  This is the > most common cause of cervical dysplasia.  In fact, if a woman uses a douche > within 24-48 hours before a pap smear it is very highly probably that her > report will come back with a diagnosis of cervical dysplasia.  In this case, it > is a perfectly harmless temporary condition.

I caution all women out there — if you have an irregular pap do NOT ignore it. While it may be a temporary condition it is NOT always "harmless." An irregular pap should be followed up with a coposcopy and biopsies should the coposcopy indicate boipsies are needed. If the biopsies and second pap show dyspasia there are effective treatments that can prevent cervical cancer. >  The relationship between dysplasia and cancer comes > about when for example you get repeated dysplasia for which the underlying > condition is not treated.  After a while, in some individuals, the cells lose > their ability to "fix" themselves.  The dysplasia can progress and then develop > into more abnormal cells and finally into malignant cells.  This is a > progressive process and in most cases, malignancy does not develop.

Sorry Patty — but if the underlying condition cannot be removed  – i.e. UC in the colon or HPV of the cervix, then malignancy is likely to develop. If you have dysplasia of the colon or cervix confirmed — speak to your Dr. about treatment options and cancer prevention.  Ignoring dysplaisa will not "fix it." Barbara Skoglund Whose dysplasia of the colon was one of the factors that led to it’s removal and  who is facing a cervical "procedure" Friday. (I’ve learned that if you are awake when the cut out your cells it’s called a "procedure.") —–== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==—– http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp   Create Your Own Free Member Forum

Response:

Wally Foster wrote: >We have just received a copy of the pathology report. >The pathology report is, of course, of her colon and the rectal mucosa. It >states Low grade Dysplasia and Hyperplasia of the colon. >And positive for low grade Dysplasia of the mucosa. >My question is  "What is Dysplasia and Hyperplasia?" >I may be wrong, but isn’t Dysplasia the 1st signs of cancer?

When my gastro found a spot of low-grade dysplasia in my UC colon last year, he told me (with great understatement), "There are many medical centers where the recommendation would be to remove the colon in cases like this, and that’s what I would recommend for you." As I learned more from people and from journal articles, I picked up more of the details. The cancer risk in UC is very tricky.  The majority of dysplasias and cancers are flat areas on the wall of the colon — rather than polyps that call attention to themselves — and hence, they can easily be camouflaged by the ordinary colitis-related inflamation.  (I was lucky; mine stood up and raised its hand.)  I’m a little rusty on the figures, but something like 10% or 20% of UC-related dysplasias are missed upon colonoscopy. Two other ugly facts about UC dysplasia.  (Sounds like a state school in California, doesn’t it?) Once dysplasia or cancer occurs in one part of a colon, it is several times more likely than average to occur elsewhere in the same colon, either at the same time or within a few years. And flat lesions typically become cancerous and spread faster than lesions that start way out on the end of a polyp. In other words, as it was explained to me, even if one particular area of dysplasia goes away instead of turning cancerous, it’s dangerous to mess around at that point — especially when there’s such a safe, effective, curative surgery available. Sam

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>The cancer risk in UC is very tricky.  The majority of dysplasias and cancers >are flat areas on the wall of the colon — rather than polyps that call >attention to themselves — and hence, they can easily be camouflaged by the >ordinary colitis-related inflamation.  (I was lucky; mine stood up and raised >its hand.)  I’m a little rusty on the figures, but something like 10% or 20% >of >UC-related dysplasias a

This is a very accurate statement and is exactly why my doctor has instructed me to take Rowasa suppositories daily for two weeks before my sigmoid oscopy to check for displasia on my remaing UC colon. The theory is Rowasa will ‘unmask’ any displasia that is present in the colon. //Bob  

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During colonoscopies they always took 20 or so tissue samples so they did not have to rely on visual sightings of dysplastic cells. John

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