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.

@naturegirl5

@debra54 A PET scan, CT scan, or MRI- any of these can show the interior of the uterus. Which scan a physician orders would depend on what they want to see and what they are looking for. I'm going to tag @val64 as she is very good at providing scientific explanations.

I do know that some insurance companies (BC/BS, for instance) refuse to pay for a PET scan (more expensive and involved) until a CT has been done. This has happened to a few people I know. The reason is that the insurance company wants to pay for the less expensive scan that might show what the physician is looking for and then order a PET scan because of what the CT did or did not show.

--Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pet-scan/about/pac-20385078

Does this help?

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Thank you so much for the info. I'm getting more information here than at my doctors.

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@conkea

Now my gyn tells me they will not know stage until hysterectomy and serous is a typ of carcinoma. Very confusing. Does anyone know ant info on this.

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Hi @conkea, it can all get so confusing. I really like the plain English explanation @val64 gave of the types of uterine cancer and the stage of uterine cancer.

We have several other members who also have serous adenocarcinoma, which can affect ovaries or the uterus. You may wish to read this related discussion:
- Serous adenocarcinoma: What does it mean? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/serous-carcinoma/

Conkea, when will you have the hysterectomy? How are you feeling about it? Any questions for women who have been there?

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@conkea

Now my gyn tells me they will not know stage until hysterectomy and serous is a typ of carcinoma. Very confusing. Does anyone know ant info on this.

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Your gyno is correct about the stage being determined after pathology has dissected the womb. However, the biopsy will tell the GRADR of the tumor, which means how fast it grows. Prayers and hugs!

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Does anyone have a strange reaction to hormones? I've tried them all and everytime after about 3 days I get awful muscle cramps in my legs and arms and there so bad I can't sleep so I'll stop taking them and the pain goes away.

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@debra54

Does anyone have a strange reaction to hormones? I've tried them all and everytime after about 3 days I get awful muscle cramps in my legs and arms and there so bad I can't sleep so I'll stop taking them and the pain goes away.

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You may not be able to help... but at 74 I still have heat spells! I often wonder if a hormon imbalace can be part of the problem with severe depression. Any thoughts?

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I was nervous yesterday going into my treatment. I drank 40oz. of water before I went to radiation and my bladder was 85% full. Full enough to proceed with treatment. The Radiation therapist told me to drink the same amount of water, but to start 20 minutes earlier. We'll see if that does the trick!

Because of all the pre-meds, I tolerated the Cisplatin treatment well. When they brought the "brown IV bag" in (it has to be protected from light) I could feel my blood pressure go up just because of the unknown. By the time I was finished I was completely exhausted. More due to being tired and emotionally drained after all the waiting to get started on treatment. (I had to wait 8 weeks after surgery because of everything they found wrong inside of me.)

They said I will probably feel fine for at least the next 3 days because of the steroids they have me on. Praying for the best but realize there will be some symptoms. If it gets rid of any cancer cells left behind I can handle the side effects! FAITH over fear!

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@colleenyoung

Hi @conkea, it can all get so confusing. I really like the plain English explanation @val64 gave of the types of uterine cancer and the stage of uterine cancer.

We have several other members who also have serous adenocarcinoma, which can affect ovaries or the uterus. You may wish to read this related discussion:
- Serous adenocarcinoma: What does it mean? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/serous-carcinoma/

Conkea, when will you have the hysterectomy? How are you feeling about it? Any questions for women who have been there?

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I am scheduled for March 9 which is 2 months after discovery. Tried to move up to no avail. Being 91 am grateful for an active relatively healthy life . Think I’m handling ok, but did not expect to feel sickly. I do not get much in the way of explanation but believe if not metastasized I’ll be ok. Read 3to 5 years survival and at 91 I’ll take that. Yes, so very confusing. Thanks for any and all info.

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@jcjc1

You may not be able to help... but at 74 I still have heat spells! I often wonder if a hormon imbalace can be part of the problem with severe depression. Any thoughts?

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Yes I'm 37 and experiencing extreme hot flashes and very emotional. I am looking for ways to balance my hormones naturally. I found out that the pineal gland has a big part on our hormones and balancing them. I'm learning more about it. There is a lot of herbs and supplements that you can try to help with your symptoms.

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@debra54

Does anyone have a strange reaction to hormones? I've tried them all and everytime after about 3 days I get awful muscle cramps in my legs and arms and there so bad I can't sleep so I'll stop taking them and the pain goes away.

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Has anyone had weird symptoms with hormone pills, I get severe cramping in arms n legs...I have tried different hormone pills but have to always stop them after bout 3 days cuz of this side effect. It gets so bad I can't sleep.

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@debra54

Has anyone had weird symptoms with hormone pills, I get severe cramping in arms n legs...I have tried different hormone pills but have to always stop them after bout 3 days cuz of this side effect. It gets so bad I can't sleep.

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@debra54 This is a really good question for our members. I have a few questions to help you get support.

Are you taking hormone replacement medication following a hysterectomy? Or is the hormone medication a treatment for cancer? I think it would help if you would provide the name of the medication you are taking and the reason you are taking it. That will help our members to respond to your questions.

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