I recently had an MRI for a suspected IBD. Those results came back fine, but I received urgent referrals for an ultrasound and hysteroscopy for a 'lesion' in my uterus. Now, I've had fibroids before and realise it's probably this, but this was an MRI and I'm worried that if they can't see what's what clearly on there, they're never going to.
Also, I'm 51 and thought I was going through menopause - a gradual winding down then no periods from last February until December, when I suddenly absolutely haemorrhaged and destroyed a good carpet! Since then, two heavy bleeds, pink discharge and soreness. So, it could be a fibroid but why didn't they just say so on the report? How much can they see on an MRI (considering they were focusing on the bowel)? Should I stop panicking?
Hi heathers
Welcome to the Womb group.
I am sorry to hear of your bleeding, discharge and soreness. I can understand that it must have been worrying to be told that the MRI picked up a lesion in your uterus when they were checking your bowel.
With the lesion that was spotted on the MRI, along with your bleeding further investigation would be normal. It is usual for this to be done on the urgent cancer pathway and the purpose is to try to rule out cancer where there are symptoms that in some people could be cancer. It doesn't mean that it could not be a benign condition- just that the more serious potential reasons need to be ruled out first.
I do not personally know much about MRIs but if you have had a pelvic MRI to look for any bowel issues then the area where the womb is is also covered. So I would imagine that they noticed this legion and are referring for a more detailed look by the specialists in that area (gynaecologists) rather than the bowel specialists.
With ladies who have gynae symptoms and are on the urgent pathway, the ultrasounds are normally done first. Once is done of the tummy area (almost like a pregnancy scan) and one is done internally. This picks up a clearer picture of the area. They normally also measure the thickness of the endometrium.
The hysteroscopy is where they use a tiny camera to have a closer look inside the womb and also take a few tissue samples. These samples are the only thing that can say whether any cancer is present.
I think the thing to focus on at the moment is that they are just having a closer look to rule out cancer. There can be different types of lesions in the uterus, some are more serious than others but until they do the testing they can not be totally sure from the MRI alone.
I hope that your ultrasounds and hysteroscopy can be done quickly so that you can find out exactly what is going on and whether or not you need any treatment. in the meantime we are here if you need us. We also have the Support Line if you feel like talking things through would help.
Jane
That sounds a bit more clearer. I would imagine that they are wanting to do the investigations to make sure that there is no cancer present in the polyp and that the fibroid is just a fibroid and nothing else. They are pretty good at recognising these things but always err on the side of caution- so still need to rule out anything serious and decide on whether any treatment is needed. But sounding more hopeful. Sometimes polyps can be removed during a hysteroscopy but not sure on size but they will talk you through it all. Good Luck
