cyst rupture or uterine cancer?

Hello nightingale19

Welcome to the group! I think you’re doing the right thing getting checked out. I hope your GP will refer you under the 2 week rule, which means you should get an appointment with a gynaecologist very quickly. The gynaecologist will probably order various tests such as an ultrasound scan, a trans signal scan and possibly a hysteroscopy where they look round inside with a tiny camera. All of these tests will help to rule things in or out so please do try not to second guess anything as no one can say anything for sure until all the relevant tests are done.

My experience was that just before my 56th birthday I noticed some watery, pinkish discharge. It was so slight I almost convinced myself it wasn’t there but then it turned to spotting blood. My gp said it was probably a polyp and nothing to worry about as 90% are benign. The hysteroscopy showed a large polyp which was subsequently removed at another hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic. Unfortunately it proved cancerous and I needed a hysterectomy followed by adjuvant treatment as the histology from the hysterectomy showed it had jumped into a single pesky lymphnode even though it hadn’t spread anywhere else in the reproductive system. Please don’t think I’m saying this will happen to you, it’s just my experience. Lots of ladies on here have only needed a hysterectomy and womb cancer caught early is highly treatabke.

There are one or two older ladies who I’m sure will pop in soon to share their experience with you. Meanwhile, sending you lots of good wishes and hoping you can relax enough to enjoy the rest of your holiday x

Hi Nightingale,

I was 72 when I was diagnosed. One day I had a slight pinkish mucus coloured discharge, not enough to think anything other than I might have hurt myself. Three weeks later I had a steak of blood. The next day I was at the doctors who referred me straight away. Funnily enough I had no more bleeds until they operated on me, so it would have been very easy to ignore it.

I was fit, didn't feel ill, but kind of knew something was wrong. I had a hysterectomy by keyhole surgery. What a marvellous invention!!!

Don't leave this. The sooner its sorted out, the better. Whatever it is.  xxxx

Thanks for this. I realise the dangers of too much time self diagnosing on the internet, but did want to find out what is supposed to happen when a fluid filled cyst ruptures,  to compare ieth my experience. This has proved almost impossible to track down, even in the ovarian cyst forum  havehere.I  been  quite surprised how conflicting much of the available nformation seems to be in this area. One "authority" writes that benign ovarian cysts only occur in women under 40, another says they occur at all ages. There are warnings about ruptures with torsion and severe pain but nothing about a fluid filled cyst which ruptures without it. This is making me wonder just  worry much doctors know about it....

HI nightingale19

As others have said the main thing is to make an appointment to see your GP when you get home.  There can be various reasons for your symptoms but is important to remember that any postmenopausal bleeding should result in a 2 week referral.  I was 76 when I went to my surgery with a bleed and at first they tried to tell me I had a UTI and send me away with a prescription!   I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer .  Although I had a definite bleed I also did also experience a copious pale pink flow while I was waiting for surgery.  I was early stage and had a hysterectomy.  This was  followed up by radiotherapy to reduce the chance of recurrence.

Like most of us I was apprehensive about the surgery - I hadn't been in hospital for over 50 years but it turned out to be quite uneventful and I recovered quickly and during the period of treatment I  was able to do most of the things I usually did.   We older ladies are spared the trauma of a sudden menopause  and don't have the worry of returning to work too soon! 

I am nearly 5 years down the line now and on yearly check-ups. .I think I am doing pretty well, like you, I am not on any meds.  Last night we went to the theatre, the show ended at 10:00pm and we wanted to catch a train @10:21.  Got the tube, walked up and down ALL the escalators and caught it with 5 minutes to spare, in bed by midnight , not bad for two 80 year olds!

So my story is similar to yours and should  the news not be the best when you get home, I hope you too will have a good outcome.   I was told that womb cancer is among the most easily treated.

Thank you for this. :)

Hi Nightlngale,

I have some experience of ovarian cysts. My daughter and a young friend both had one in their 20's. There can be two types apparently. One composed of hair and bones and is hard (as my daughter had) It was the size of an orange and she had several months complaining of inability to pass water and pain, before she was diagnosed. They had to remove the ovary as well as the cyst.My young friend had a fluid filled one and at first they said she was 8 months pregnant!! They removed that, but could leave the ovary alone. xxxx

Well it seems I spoke too soon. I requested an appointment with my GP on line. I thought I did. Turns out she is on leave next week and there are no regular appointments  at the surgery until  10th June. ( I live in a respectable area and my practice  is advertising for new patients but we still have a 3 week wait for appointments. I think it is because the senior partners only work part time.) I could take my chance  and phone up first thing on my return for one of a few on the day emergency appointments they set aside but they tend to get booked out early.  So I have made an appointment to see the locum GP on saturday morning at the local GP hub, which our local doctors were more or less forced to set up as so few practices opened outside working hours and the Local GP lead ooh service is one of the worst rated in the country.

Anyway I  was resigned to this when this morning the bleeding started up again, only more so. This was a real blow. I got the ambulance out thinking they would cart me off to  the local A &E  22 miles away. Not so. Having checked my vital signs were ok they suggested Inp drive myself, profuse bleeding not withstanding. They gave me a pad to out on my car seat. The chief crew member,  female with a seriously unsympathetic manner, added that there was no on call gynecologist in A & E and I would not get an ultrasound either, without pre booking. The best I could hope for was a fast track referral ,- bit pointless when I am on holiday here. When asked about the bleeding,  she just shrugged. 

I thought there must be s better way to get a grip on things. ( I have no guarantee  the locum GP o Saturday will have any gynae expertise.)I need to  know  possible causes and treatments.  With all this drama I have unspent holiday money so I made a private appointment to see the consultant gynaecologist at the local private hospital tomorrow and ask about what should happen next and how to control the bleeding.

Sorry to hear you've had more trouble. I would have thought the ambulance crew might have been more sympathetic and helpful. Good luck for tomorrow. xxxxx

Hello nightingale19

Im very sorry to hear that you have had a profuse bleed. It must have been a very frightening and stressful experience for you. I hope you get some answers and support from the private consultation today. Please let us know how you get on x

Hi nightingale,

how did you get on today? If you don't get any joy from the private consultant you could try your local sexual health clinic, I went there for a coil whilst I was waiting and they gave me some advice about medication too. 

Lots of love 

xxx