What else could this be?

FormerMember over 4 years ago

3 replies
118 subscribers
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Hi all.
i had a contrast CT scan that highlighted a 5cm “mass” in my ascending colon, followed by a colonoscopy for biopsy that I am now waiting for the results of.

my lymph glands were inflamed on either side of the mass, and aside from being inflamed, the mucosa looked unremarkable according to the notes.

The doctors seemed to be unsure of what the mass could be, and so they are discussing my case at a meeting this week.

my thoughts would be that if this was a cancer it would “look” familiar to an experienced doctor who does this sort of thing every day.

i have all the regular symptoms (gas/cramps/fatigue etc)

Does anyone have any experience of any conditions that this could be other than cancer? It seems odd to me that I have a lump that is inconsistent with the expected visuals, and I’m not looking forward to a week of waiting for biopsy results!

Marianne26 over 4 years ago

My original Colonography in April '19 also showed 'a grey area' on my descending Colon & I was referred for a Colonoscopy two weeks later. At that time, they couldn't get through the colon because of the mass. Following the procedure, the Consultant said 'he thought it was cancer' but because they couldn't get close to it, they were unsure. However, I was immediately booked in for a left Hemicolectomy in May '19. Mine was also 5cm, which, after biopsy was determined to be cancerous.

Did they manage to go right through the entire length of your Colon during the colonoscopy?

Likewise, I had terrible gas & cramps at the time, though little else. I'm afraid I have no knowledge of other conditions that it could be, but I'm sure that there might be others here that can advise you further with that. Yes, the waiting for results/ scans is awful (I'm awaiting mine after a Lung ablation a month ago.)

If it does turn out to be cancer....remember, that it is very curable!!

Wishing you all the best.

Marianne

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to Marianne26

Hi Marianne,

yes - they were able to get through my whole colon during the colonoscopy, and the size of the tumour that was visible was 3cm - i don’t know if this means there was 2cm on the outside wall, or if it was just a more accurate measure than from the CT.

the tumour itself didn’t look like the polyps that seem to be constantly talked about - it was more of a big lump - like someone had stuck a ball of gum inside the wall of my intestine!

all the way through, the doctors have said they are concerned it’s cancer, but I haven’t had an actual diagnosis yet - i assume I will just have have to be patient and await the biopsy result

Takayasu over 4 years ago

I had a pet scan that showed highly suspicious primary sigmoid cancer . I like you wondered what else it could be . The Colorectal surgeon has requested a sigmoidoscopy which I’m waiting to have .