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First colonoscopy, and they found a 10 cm mass in my descending colon
Hi friends! Thanks so much for being here. I am a 52 year old woman and I just had my very first colonoscopy on Wednesday. Up until now, I just did Cologuard tests, but this last one came up flagged, and I was told that a full colonoscopy would be necessary. I wasn't worried about it since I had no symptoms of note, and have no family history of colon cancer (or any cancer), and I have zero risk factors (don't drink or smoke, extremely active, vegetarian, very little belly fat, etc). But to my great shock, the doc came in after and informed me that I have a mass that would need immediate attention. It was described like this: "a frond-like/villous non-obstructing large mass in the descending colon. The mass was circumferential. The mass measured 10cm in length. No bleeding was present." The doctor told me that it appeared precancerous and had been biopsied, and that I was going to need surgery to either remove the mass or remove that section of my colon. He told me that the biopsy results would be fast tracked and that I should get my results that day or the next, and that someone from his office would reach out for scheduling. That was noon on Wednesday, but I have not gotten anything from the office since then, other than a mychart message saying that the doctor would call me once my biopsy results are in. Obviously, I am in bits. I have young adult kids who need me and a mom with Alzheimers and a busy job and I need to be well for my family and my life. I just had a physical a couple weeks ago and on paper I am one of the healthiest people you can imagine - low BP, low heart rate, all my bloodwork right on target, etc. So I'm furious - but that fury is helpful I have to say. It keeps me grounded and focused and steady and keeps my thoughts clear. If I slide into sadness or fear, my thoughts instantly jumble and I get panicky. So I'll stick with fury for now.
I have a couple questions: first off, is it normal for the biopsy to take this long? Is it possible that at 10cm, that there is no way it is anything other than cancer and he just said "appears precancerous" to manage the rate of my information intake? And also? How serious is this anyway? And what will my life be like after a 15cm section of my colon is removed? Also? What is the recovery for that kind of bowel surgery?
That's all the questions I can think of. Thanks everyone!
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Oh @auntiedragon, I can imagine you are shocked and fraught. You are asking all the right questions - most of which can only be answered by a medical professional.
Biopsy results can take several days. However, you were told that your biopsy would be fast-tracked and that you would get same day or next day results. And now it is the weekend. Ugh! If I were you, I would call the office first thing Monday morning to understand why there has been a delay.
With zero risk factors and such a healthy lifestyle and so young, hearing you might have cancer is totally unexpected. I can understand your disbelief and questioning how a 10 cm mass could be pre-cancerous. Are you sure the report said 10 cm or was it 10 mm? It is likely that only a biopsy can confirm the nature of the mass. You may also have to have additional imaging like a CT scan and will know more before any surgery would take place.
Life without 15 cm of your colon is possible. But don't get ahead of yourself. Easier said than done - I know.
Just know, you're not alone. We're here and we're listening. We'll help get you through the weekend until you can call on Monday.
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1 ReactionPlease keep us informed with what you find out. We are all here for you.
I had a large colon polyp removed by a non invasive procedure called EMR (endoscopic mucosal resection). From a patient experience, it seems just like a colonoscopy. In my case, it was discovered during a colonoscopy, it was too large to remove then, and I was referred to a doctor who specializes in this procedure. The large polyp was successfully removed in an outpatient procedure and I went home three hours later. For many patients, it can be a much less invasive alternative to colon resection. It may or may not be appropriate for you but it's worth exploring if you haven't done so already.
When they take specimens at a biopsy, like during a colonoscopy, they not only test it for cancer, but for detail about the cancer and importantly, the genetics involved…that info can take time and informs the docs about what treatments to do. Mine actually blocked the scope in the right transverse, but genetic tests revealed me to be a candidate for immunotherapy. This tissue is also used for Signatera ctDNA testing.