Suspected Endometrial Cancer: Cervix won't open to do biopsy

Posted by debra54 @debra54, Feb 1, 2023

The lining of my uterus is thick so they tried to do a biopsy but my cervix would not open and they mentioned having a hysterocmy but I'm not sure about doing that without knowing if it's cancer or not.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

@vazglo329

The gave me 2 pills 800 mgs to dilate cervix. It didn't dilate. Put me under general anesthesia which relaxes muscles, didn't work. Lol. So like I said waiting fir MRI results, doctor will then advised. I'm just afraid - I don't want to rush and have doctor do partial hysterectomy and God forbid something develops later on. I've had 3 spinal fusions, 1 hip replacement 10 months ago which I'm still recovering. Do tired of hospitals/doctors 🙏🙏

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Wow, it sounds like they are at least trying lots of things to get you a diagnosis. I'm with you on doctors and hospitals.

My experience with the robotic total hysterectomy, along with removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes, was that it really wasn't bad at all. I felt pretty good within a week (I was 57 and hadn't been having other surgeries). I had already gone through menopause, and have not noticed any new symptoms from loss of my ovaries (although there may be some, like osteoporosis, that I don't notice). My partner does notice difference on intimacy, but it still works.

I'm not sure what the benefits are of a partial hysterectomy. Is that what your doctor is suggesting?

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@val64

Wow, it sounds like they are at least trying lots of things to get you a diagnosis. I'm with you on doctors and hospitals.

My experience with the robotic total hysterectomy, along with removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes, was that it really wasn't bad at all. I felt pretty good within a week (I was 57 and hadn't been having other surgeries). I had already gone through menopause, and have not noticed any new symptoms from loss of my ovaries (although there may be some, like osteoporosis, that I don't notice). My partner does notice difference on intimacy, but it still works.

I'm not sure what the benefits are of a partial hysterectomy. Is that what your doctor is suggesting?

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Thanks for input!

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@vazglo329

7mm endometrial thickness. Cervix closed. Could get enough tissue for biopsy oncologist suggested hysterectomy. Anyone has done it

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@vazglo329 It looks like you are getting good support and information from the members in our support group.

I think you are already following the other discussion on thickened endometrium and a cervix that wouldn’t open for biopsy but I wanted to point out there is lots of good information and support in that one too.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/endometrial/

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@sbt19

I would do a d & c first and if the biopsy from that tissues removed is positive, then have the hysterectomy. Have you had any kind of discharge or spotting? Why was the ultrasound done on your uterus? I had clear, watery discharge. The ultra sound showed a uterine polyp and thickness of 7-12 mm. Had the d & c in 2021 (age 66) and no problems since then.

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Enfometrial thickness 8mm now MRI showed a cyst 2cm and a fibroid 8mm

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@vazglo329

7mm endometrial thickness. Cervix closed. Could get enough tissue for biopsy oncologist suggested hysterectomy. Anyone has done it

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Hello @vazglo329. You will notice I have moved your post, and the replies, into a discussion you had previously joined on this topic. You can find your post here:
- Suspected Endometrial Cancer: Cervix won't open to do biopsy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/endometrial/

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@valentinaz

Hi Debra, I had one failed endometrial biopsy (very small, closed cervix), then another one at Mayo (same reason, valiant effort made by the provider), then a successful one done under anesthesia. In some cases the body relaxes enough with anesthesia that they can perform the biopsy in order to get a diagnosis. That was my case, and I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I proceeded with a total abdominal hysterectomy (including ovaries: I was 58 and post-menopausal) and also received both radiation and chemotherapy. So my long response means to ask: how many times have they tried? I understand your concern about having a hysterectomy when you don't have a complete and/or accurate diagnosis of cancer. Let us know how you're doing, okay?

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I hope you are doing well. I had two or three failed endometrial biopsies over a three year period. Last week I had a D&C under anesthesia in the doctors office and the pathology indicates High Grade Serous Carcinoma. I am more than a little frightened and feel so alone. I feel like my OB Gyn neglected my care. I am waiting to get in to see an oncologist here in Dallas. Would you please let me know what your experience has been since diagnosis?

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@lgarcia224

I hope you are doing well. I had two or three failed endometrial biopsies over a three year period. Last week I had a D&C under anesthesia in the doctors office and the pathology indicates High Grade Serous Carcinoma. I am more than a little frightened and feel so alone. I feel like my OB Gyn neglected my care. I am waiting to get in to see an oncologist here in Dallas. Would you please let me know what your experience has been since diagnosis?

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Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your results, and even more concerned that you feel alone 🙁 I'm glad you've found Mayo Connect, and I hope you can find someone near you to talk with, too. I also hope you don't have to wait too long to see an oncologist: I can't blame you for feeling like you have been neglected in your care. I'm about a year and a half out from my last chemotherapy treatment in December of 2021. I also had radiation treatment before I started my chemo, but I forget about it, because I had no side effects: not so with chemo! I'm in the middle of my surveillance program with visits every three months and a CT scan once a year; next year I think I move to every six months as long as there's no sign of cancer. Please let us know when you have your appointment with the oncologist, okay? Keeping you close.

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@valentinaz

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your results, and even more concerned that you feel alone 🙁 I'm glad you've found Mayo Connect, and I hope you can find someone near you to talk with, too. I also hope you don't have to wait too long to see an oncologist: I can't blame you for feeling like you have been neglected in your care. I'm about a year and a half out from my last chemotherapy treatment in December of 2021. I also had radiation treatment before I started my chemo, but I forget about it, because I had no side effects: not so with chemo! I'm in the middle of my surveillance program with visits every three months and a CT scan once a year; next year I think I move to every six months as long as there's no sign of cancer. Please let us know when you have your appointment with the oncologist, okay? Keeping you close.

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Thank you. I'm so glad to hear you are doing well so far and pray you will continue to remain cancer free. I'm also happy to have found this group to connect with. The fear of the unknown is the worst. I'm generally a good advocate for my care, but should have pushed harder the second time I had bleeding and the stenosis prevented the biopsy. The 3rd reoccurrence, I had to wait another 2 months to get the D&C under anesthesia and voiced that I was uncomfortable with the long wait.

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You did advocate for yourself; it's frustrating when people don't hear or listen to our concerns. The fear of the unknown is absolutely the worst, and honestly, the only thing that alleviates, for me, it is time and support. Please keep coming here; the folks are really genuine and gracious, in my experience. I hope you have someone supporting your advocacy as well. When I feel like I didn't do something 'on time' or 'right,' I like to remember this Arthur Ashe quote: "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." 💜

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@valentinaz

You did advocate for yourself; it's frustrating when people don't hear or listen to our concerns. The fear of the unknown is absolutely the worst, and honestly, the only thing that alleviates, for me, it is time and support. Please keep coming here; the folks are really genuine and gracious, in my experience. I hope you have someone supporting your advocacy as well. When I feel like I didn't do something 'on time' or 'right,' I like to remember this Arthur Ashe quote: "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." 💜

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Great quote, Valentina. Really appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. Great quote!

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