Hello,
A bit of an unusual first post and I do not have a diagnosis yet so hope someone may have had a similar experience?
At the beginning of July I had a post menopausal bleed - it was very much like a period with a beginning, a middle and an end, although was very mild. As my last period was in August 2022 I thought I'd better get it checked out and I was referred to Gynaecology for investigation.
I had an ultrasound which showed a slight thickening (7mm) and a small polyp - however, as the gynaecologist said - how did the radiographer know that it was a polyp and a biopsy would be required to be sure.
This is where it gets a bit complicated - he asked me there and then if I was happy to have the biopsy done in the office. I said I felt OK but he should know that I had some issues 10 years ago when my uterus was damaged by the removal of a coil and I was unable to have a new one inserted, even under GA. He dismissed this and said he was willing to give it a go if I was. I agreed and sure enough, he could not manoeuvre the instrument into the uterus so I was referred to the next stage to have the procedure done under local anaesthetic - unfortunately this also failed so I was referred onwards to have the procedure done under GA.
I was admitted for day surgery and once again I explained the back story but was re-assured they would be able to successfully take a biopsy and hopefully a polypectomy under GA. Unfortunately this also failed and a false passage was created resulting in me needing a course of anti-biotics and referral for MRI to see if that might help diagnosis.
I had the MRI the following week (last Monday) and am now waiting for the results.
My questions are:
1. Will the MRI show a clearer picture of the polyp or will it be able to detect cancer without biopsy?
2. Has anyone had a further biopsy done and was this via hysteroscopy again or is there another way of doing this? Eg, via laparoscopy?
I have been left feeling a little insignificant and can feel myself sliding down the waiting list - I know it's only a small polyp and probably nothing sinister but the extended wait is really starting to bother me now.
Is there a reasonable wait time before I contact them?
Any advice gratefully received.
Ali
x
Hi Ali
Welcome to the Womb group.
I am sorry to hear of your issues regarding the hysteroscopies.
In answer to your questions,
The MRI may well give a clearer picture but it is only a biopsy- where the cells are tested that can confirm whether cancer is present or not.
I am not sure what would happen next and whether something could be done laparoscopically - you could give the Support Line a call and ask one of the nurses. We are not medically trained on here so can only talk about our own experiences.
It is not unreasonable to want to contact them and find out what happens next. My feeling would to be to wait for when you get your MRI results back and then see what they suggest next. You could follow up with your GP but I would expect that they would want to have the MRI results back first. I would then perhaps think along the lines of asking whether the polyp should be removed laparoscopically as then that would give the opportunity for biopsy at the same time.
Hope you can get some answers soon.
Jane
Hi Caroline
You are not alone in having a failed hysteroscopy. For some ladies their anatomy can make it more difficult/painful.
We are not medically trained on here but you could give the Support Line a call and speak with one of the nurses.
From personal experience and from being on here.........
Hyperplasia can have different causes and there are different types.
My cancer was hormone positive so if I had been on HRT it would have encouraged it to grow.
A repeat scan at the end of September is a good idea to see if there has been a change. Its not too far ahead. I would discuss the HRT with the doctor.
Only a biopsy can tell for sure if cancer is present. I have not heard of one being done laparoscopically before but it may be worth asking. I would also be asking whether there would be repeat scans at say a 3 month interval to continue to monitor. It may well be that an initial biopsy could be clear but one a few months later would not be. From my understanding hyperplasia can develop in some ladies.
My gut feeling though, after my own experience is that the hysterectomy is an option worth considering. A hysterectomy these days is a much more straightforward operation than before, it is often done laparoscopically. I stayed in hospital one night only, had little pain and recovered quickly. I was going for walks the day after I got home.
I will pop a link
Endometrial Hyperplasia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (patient.info)
Side effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
I hope this helps a bit. But do give the Support Line a call and talk to one of the nurses.
Jane
