Do gynecological cancers always include bleeding?

Posted by missmonroe @missmonroe, Aug 12, 2022

I am past menopause, and have a long history of gynecological problems. Currently I have aches and cramps like I did when I was a teen, and it’s been this way for two years or so. I know I have an adnexal mass, which as I understand, is not often cancerous. Does bleeding always accompany cancer?

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@missmonroe. Since I'm not a medical professional I cannot answer your question about bleeding. I do know that bleeding is a risk factor for endometrial cancer which is the first symptom I had. Then I had aches and cramps just like I did when I had periods in my teens. It was the bleeding that got me to the gynecologist and the biopsy did show endometrial (adenocarcinoma) cancer. I did not have an adnexal mass and so did not have symptoms related to that. Here is what Mayo Clinic says about adenexal masses:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adnexal-tumors/symptoms-causes/syc-20355053

What does your gynecologist say about the bleeding, cramps, and aches? Have you had an ultrasound? A biopsy? Are you wondering if another medical opinion would be a good idea? Here is the Mayo Clinic link to self-refer:

http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

I think it's better, though, to ask for a referral from a physician who can also send your records. If you do want another opinion from Mayo, would your family care physician refer you?

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Thank you for your reply. There is no regular bleeding. It’s rare. The gyn did not even find the mass or suggest imaging. It was another medical issue where the doctor ordered films, and the mass was found. There was no measurements done. She knows about the cramps, frequent nausea and the period-like aches. I have not seen her to review any findings. I have had these various female problems and nothing ever turns out to be really bad. It feels like a waste of time.

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I had mild cramping, but no bleeding, only a clear watery discharge. Endometrial cancer was diagnosed with transvaginal ultrasound and hysteroscopy.

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Hello, I am not a doctor or can I advise you on any procedure, BUT, that being said, I believe that you should go to a oncologist and get a full test done, ct or PT scan, mri , ect. This is nothing that you want to wait on.
I’m speaking from experience. Please get this checked out in a Oncologyst office. It’s worth your life.

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@missmonroe

Thank you for your reply. There is no regular bleeding. It’s rare. The gyn did not even find the mass or suggest imaging. It was another medical issue where the doctor ordered films, and the mass was found. There was no measurements done. She knows about the cramps, frequent nausea and the period-like aches. I have not seen her to review any findings. I have had these various female problems and nothing ever turns out to be really bad. It feels like a waste of time.

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@missmonroe This is all rather puzzling. I'm inclined to agree with @rob09 and suggest that you follow up on your symptoms. The symptoms you describe are not a normal part of post-menopause. You commented that you have a long history of gynecological problems. Did you have a hysterectomy in the past? Any other gynecological procedures? Like @gennyg my symptoms were similar. and I also had ultrasound and hysteroscopy. This how my endometrial cancer was diagnosed.

Since you joined Mayo Clinic Connect and are asking these questions you are worried that there is something there. I'm assuming that is what brought you here. So, it's not at all a waste of time to find another doctor for another opinion. Will you do that and let me know?

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@naturegirl5

@missmonroe This is all rather puzzling. I'm inclined to agree with @rob09 and suggest that you follow up on your symptoms. The symptoms you describe are not a normal part of post-menopause. You commented that you have a long history of gynecological problems. Did you have a hysterectomy in the past? Any other gynecological procedures? Like @gennyg my symptoms were similar. and I also had ultrasound and hysteroscopy. This how my endometrial cancer was diagnosed.

Since you joined Mayo Clinic Connect and are asking these questions you are worried that there is something there. I'm assuming that is what brought you here. So, it's not at all a waste of time to find another doctor for another opinion. Will you do that and let me know?

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The last doctor I saw did perform a hysto. I agreed to it. I said he could do it even if I did not have cancer. Cancer was my suspicion at the time. I am way past baby days. I just don’t need the parts. I’ve had fibroids removed a couple times along time ago. Those things actually twisted. Incredibly painful. I could only crawl to the bathroom to get painkillers. It was awful.

I will let you know if I decide to pursue it. I’m just a little bit concerned, but the doctor doesn’t seem to be, and I am not one to rush to the doctor over something that might and is probably harmless. I just figured some women will be in pain indefinitely, and I am one of them.

Well, thanks for your input.

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As for my experience, I was post menopause for many years. At age 68 I had spotting and that was not normal for me. I decided to get it check out asap.Saw my gynecologist and decided on ultrasound and CA125. Nothing determined from ultrasound so she did uterine biopsy. Within a few days, it came back as Adinocarcinoma..Contacted Mayo asap, had total hysteroctomy but nothing else needed but to have regular follow up visits every four months. It is where I am now. Hoping for your best recovery.

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@gennyg

I had mild cramping, but no bleeding, only a clear watery discharge. Endometrial cancer was diagnosed with transvaginal ultrasound and hysteroscopy.

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I had the same issue before my diagnosis, and actually thought I was becoming incontinent until I noticed some blood.
Now I'm worried thay any discharge could mean a recurrence. Do you have the same concern?

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I think its normal to feel that any given moment there could be a reoccurence. However, I don't know if it's that way after a total hysteroctomy.

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