1. < Gynecologic Cancers

Bleeding: I know what's happening is not normal but is it cancer?

Posted by hildac @hildac, Apr 18, 2023

Google is not my friend right now.
Post menopause 59 yrs old.
Started spotting 5 weeks ago. Was brownish in colour. Has progressed to bleeding and is red.
Ultrasound shows lining at 4mm.
Abnormal amount of fluid in my uterus.
Gyno appt today. She attempted endometrial biopsy but cervix was very narrow. Managed to get a small sample. If it's not enough we'll have to retry in hospital. No polyps observed.
I've had abdominal and lower back ache for about 6 months. Has gotten worse
All this to say I know my symptoms are not normal and much if what I'm reading us suggesting cancer.
Does anyone have any input or experiences to share?

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

hildac | @hildac | May 1, 2023
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@hildac It’s great that you are feeling better. I’m glad for you that the blood work..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@hildac It’s great that you are feeling better. I’m glad for you that the blood work came back OK. It seems like a long time to get those biopsy results. Several years ago I was waiting for a biopsy and it turned out the lab had processed the biopsy is less than 48 hours but the results sat in the doctor’s office for almost a week! Do you have another appointment coming up with the doctor who did the biopsy and so you can ask?

Jump to this post

Hi Helen
Yes. Symptoms are still on the lighter side.
I'm in Canada. Toronto Ontario area to be specific and there seems to be a backlog with pap and biopsy results.
If symptoms pick up again, I will press gyno to request results quicker.

REPLY
1 reply
hildac | @hildac | May 1, 2023
In reply to @wrightvillebeach "I was 70 years old and 17 years post menopausal. Your symptoms are exactly like mine..." + (show)
@wrightvillebeach

I was 70 years old and 17 years post menopausal. Your symptoms are exactly like mine were… noticed brown spotting and later some red bleeding. Biopsy negative 9/21 but uterine walls were abnormally thick. Nothing done then. Symptoms persisted for a year. Biopsy 11/22 revealed adenocarcinoma. Had a robotic total hysterectomy 12/22 and lymph node biopsy with outpatient surgery. Only 5 incisions of one inch each. Recovery was not difficult. Tumor was slow growing and had not escaped the uterus. No chemo. No radiation. I am feeling great now ! My advice if there is any question get the hysterectomy but every case is unique. Prayers for successful results for you , too !

Jump to this post

Oh my gosh. Symptoms for a year.
I know the gyno doesn't want to do anything radical but I will press for a discussion about a hysterectomy even if biopsy results are negative.

REPLY
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | May 1, 2023
In reply to @hildac "Hi Helen Yes. Symptoms are still on the lighter side. I'm in Canada. Toronto Ontario area..." + (show)
@hildac

Hi Helen
Yes. Symptoms are still on the lighter side.
I'm in Canada. Toronto Ontario area to be specific and there seems to be a backlog with pap and biopsy results.
If symptoms pick up again, I will press gyno to request results quicker.

Jump to this post

Hi @hildac That’s good that the symptoms are less. Yes, I’ve heard that pap and other lab tests are seriously backlogged in Ontario. I hope your doctor will apply some pressure to the lab to get your results soon.

REPLY
tjperry | @tjperry | May 2, 2023
In reply to @debra54 "Do u take hormones? Could be that or inflammation. My gyn dr couldn't get biopsy either..." + (show)
@debra54

Do u take hormones? Could be that or inflammation. My gyn dr couldn't get biopsy either cuz cervix would not open and they put me to sleep for that so he suggested hysterocmy but going for 2nd opinion before I do that. Maybe they will find a way to see or get in uterus.

Jump to this post

I was given misoprostol before my biopsy. A few hours before my procedure I was told to moisten a tampon and place two misoprostol pills on the end and then insert the tampon and leave it in until my appointment. It was extremely difficult to do but eventually I did and it softened my cervix enough for my GYN to get the biopsy.

I told her what a difficult time I had getting the pills to stick to the tampon and she said placing them near the cervix with my fingers and then inserting the tampon to keep them in place would have worked better but she doesn't know how some patient's would react to that method. Would have saved me some time and frustration! I also could have done it myself instead of finally getting my husband to help!

Maybe ask your GYN about this approach so you can get a good biopsy sample???

REPLY
2 replies
debra54 | @debra54 | May 2, 2023
In reply to @tjperry "I was given misoprostol before my biopsy. A few hours before my procedure I was told..." + (show)
@tjperry

I was given misoprostol before my biopsy. A few hours before my procedure I was told to moisten a tampon and place two misoprostol pills on the end and then insert the tampon and leave it in until my appointment. It was extremely difficult to do but eventually I did and it softened my cervix enough for my GYN to get the biopsy.

I told her what a difficult time I had getting the pills to stick to the tampon and she said placing them near the cervix with my fingers and then inserting the tampon to keep them in place would have worked better but she doesn't know how some patient's would react to that method. Would have saved me some time and frustration! I also could have done it myself instead of finally getting my husband to help!

Maybe ask your GYN about this approach so you can get a good biopsy sample???

Jump to this post

Not sure I would be able to reach cervix....it's very high up and points down...even the dr has a very hard time getting to my cervix...sometimes it helps if he pushes down on my stomach...this is why they couldn't attempt biopsy in dr office but makes me wonder, how good of a pap smear are they getting..lol...thank you...I will check into it.

REPLY
1 reply
annaokie | @annaokie | May 2, 2023

I also had stenosis of the cervix which prevented a proper biopsy from being performed. My Dr. gave me a mifepristone tablet which worked perfectly to soften and open the cervix for the procedure, thus avoiding a hospital visit! Ask about it. Blessings and best wishes.

REPLY
annaokie | @annaokie | May 2, 2023
In reply to @tjperry "I was given misoprostol before my biopsy. A few hours before my procedure I was told..." + (show)
@tjperry

I was given misoprostol before my biopsy. A few hours before my procedure I was told to moisten a tampon and place two misoprostol pills on the end and then insert the tampon and leave it in until my appointment. It was extremely difficult to do but eventually I did and it softened my cervix enough for my GYN to get the biopsy.

I told her what a difficult time I had getting the pills to stick to the tampon and she said placing them near the cervix with my fingers and then inserting the tampon to keep them in place would have worked better but she doesn't know how some patient's would react to that method. Would have saved me some time and frustration! I also could have done it myself instead of finally getting my husband to help!

Maybe ask your GYN about this approach so you can get a good biopsy sample???

Jump to this post

That sounds uncomfortable. I was told to just insert the table with my finger as far as possible and let it work. That technique was completely effective.

REPLY
annaokie | @annaokie | May 3, 2023
In reply to @debra54 "Not sure I would be able to reach cervix....it's very high up and points down...even the..." + (show)
@debra54

Not sure I would be able to reach cervix....it's very high up and points down...even the dr has a very hard time getting to my cervix...sometimes it helps if he pushes down on my stomach...this is why they couldn't attempt biopsy in dr office but makes me wonder, how good of a pap smear are they getting..lol...thank you...I will check into it.

Jump to this post

It doesn't have to go right up to the cervix. I just inserted the tablet as far as I could the night before, and it worked perfectly.

REPLY
1 reply
debra54 | @debra54 | May 3, 2023
In reply to @annaokie "It doesn't have to go right up to the cervix. I just inserted the tablet as..." + (show)
@annaokie

It doesn't have to go right up to the cervix. I just inserted the tablet as far as I could the night before, and it worked perfectly.

Jump to this post

Thats good to know..
Thank you..makes me doubt my gyn dr cuz he should of recommend this..

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.