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

@lgarcia224 I’d like to join in on what @valentinaz wrote. The fear of the unknown creates so much anxiety. I have anxiety on almost a daily basis and as I look back it’s always been present. Some experiences I’ve had brought the anxiety up to a point that it was in front of my face almost blocking my view of what was right in front of me. I couldn’t think of anything else! This is what happened when I got my diagnosis of endometrial cancer (endometrioid adenocarcinoma, FIGO Grade 1). I had waited about one month for a D & C after the ultrasound showed suspected thickening of the endometrium but my gynecologist told me « not to worry » as he didn’t think I had the risk factors. Fortunately for me after the cancer was diagnosed I got in to see a GYN Oncologist within a week. Once I had that appointment scheduled I felt a little better because at least there was something tangible to grab on to.

You wrote that you are waiting for your appointment with an oncologist in Dallas? Dallas is a huge metropolis that must have a very large medical community. Will your appointment be with an oncologist at a comprehensive cancer care center in an academic medical center? I’d like to suggest that you continue to advocate for yourself and call your gynecologist’s office to get that appointment very soon. Or call the oncologist’s office and do the same. Waiting is the worst. In case you would like this information, here is the website where you can find the academic medical centers that have the cancer care centers I mentioned above. There is one in Dallas at

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas

National Cancer Institute of the NIH:

— https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find

Will you please let me know what you find out about your oncology appointment?

Good Morning, Helen:

It is so helpful to hear other people's journey and I appreciate you reaching out.

I have an appointment on the 16th at UTSW with their gynecology team. I was also put on a waiting list of someone cancels in the interim. University of Texas Southwestern is one of the best and I am glad to be seeing one of the top physicians there at Harold C. Simmons.

I too already struggled with anxiety. My job demands so much from me that I was already struggling to manage it. The pathology really sent me over the top.

I will keep you posted on my diagnosis. I'm hoping that the cancer is contained to the endometrial lining. I'm cutting out sugar, red meat, and alcohol as well as eating better. Do you have any other suggestions on how to help fight the cancer outside of mainstream medicine that I can use to supplement future treatments?

Hi All:

I just wonder if any of you had vaginal bleeding of any kind, I have never had that at all and went through menopause at age 52. No discharges of any kind since! I have to have the endometrial biopsy, but do have a bit of a narrow cervix opening. I would be terrified if I ever saw such bleeding, but does this procedure cause bleeding?
A little scared since I have not seen a period in 17 years--I am 69 and have never even had vaginal pain during sex of any kind---should I still be worried? Thanks in advance for your comments.

Yes I have abnormal bleeding and endometrial thickness...had a failed biopsy in dr office and in hospital due to my cervix would not open. Some women have taking a pill before biopsy to open cervix but I decided against it cuz of side effects. In ly case I'm going for a 2nd opinion. I was just told bout my blood in urine last year but on my records it shows I've had this since 2016 so doubt it's cancer after this long.

@fairygodmother I was post-menopausal at age 58. So, no bleeding after that age. I noticed spotting two times within a week when I was 67 years old and figured I needed to get checked. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer after hysteroscopy and D & C and I learned that spotting or bleeding is a symptom. I didn’t have an endometrial biopsy in the office. I’ve since learned that vaginal bleeding after menopause is not normal and should always be checked out.

The procedure itself (D & C) does cause some bleeding and this was in my discharge information. It’s not surprising given what is involved in a D & C however it went away within a day or two.

It’s normal to be frightened of a biopsy. When you think about it a biopsy isn’t something you do frequently and you might be frightened of not only the procedure but of what could be found. I kept telling myself that it was normal to feel anxious under these circumstances. I didn’t try to push the anxiety away or block it out of my mind as I’ve had too much experience with anxiety so I know that doesn’t work for me. Instead, I accepted that my feelings were there and I did practices and strategies to calm myself.

When are you scheduled for the biopsy? May I ask why you are having the biopsy?

Hi:
I understand that because I have been asked to use a medication to open it also. I don't like medications that contain hormones and so I avoid them. My sister actually got breast cancer in 2001 after taking HRT, according to her own doctor, but she just is fine now with no recurrence after her double masectomy. I certainly hope you are okay! I will answer the next comment below yours also...Take care!

Hi:

It looks like the comment I worked so hard on just got deleted! Even though I don't have the bleeding or more serious symptoms, I think my GYN (says her nurse) just wants to rule out cancer since I have never had it. She found a small amout of fluid in my uterus after an ultrasound and said this might be a good idea. I had a teeny-tiny cyst on my right ovary that completely disappeard after I took some herbal drops. Nobody seemed to mind that I did that. The problem is that the drops might not have been good for my age group. They got rid of the small amount of pain I had when I exercised, so I assumed they were okay. Not so sure, so I immediately stopped taking them. I am sure we will get to the bottom of this! Thanks for listening and relating your stories! I wish you all the best with these difficult health issues!

Hi All:
No , I have never had any vaginal bleeding (would have been frightened if I ever saw that)--My hope is that I simply do not have cancer and that I am praying for anyone on this blog--continuously and that God will heal you. This said, I am not above these problems, but feel compelled to tell you how deeply I feel for you with this struggle since i understand the fear now. If you are not religious, that is okay, but I know that I ask God to help you and heal you as I know only He can do. Love you all,

Dra. Nancy María Blain (the real me)
Spanish
MSU

If the can't do the biopsy the regular way at the Dr's office then the next choice can be doing a D&C under local or light anesthesia. Whatever they do please get it done FAST. Thick uterus are usually suspicious but not always. If you are already menopausal or close to it, a hysterectomy will be a good choice. Don't hesitate one minute. I had a total hysterectomy and I have ZERO REGRETS 🙂 . TAKE CARE OF IT ASAP, EVERY MINUTE COUNTS. good luck

If it helps to know, I took that pill 3x (twice for attempt at biopsy in office) and once under anesthesia and my cervix still wouldn’t dilate. She said I had scar tissue. ? Going next week to talk about next steps.