8mm womb lining

My lining was measured as 8mm with free fluid in the womb back in August. My consultant tried to take a biopsy under GA on 18th October but was unable to dilate my cervix enough to get a sample. The delay was due to us having a holiday booked. The next week I had an MRI and the consultant rang me the next day to tell me I needed a hysterectomy. I had the hysterectomy last Monday, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed too, and am awaiting confirmation of the stage of the cancer. My consultant seems positive it has been caught early and I’m focusing on that though it is difficult.

Thank you for your reply.

I really hope it is early stage for you although I can imagine the waoting is very difficult.

May I ask what your symtoms were? 

Also, did they do the mri because they couldn't get a biopsy? 

I’m 64 so my symptom was a post menopausal discharge with very slight spotting.

I think the MRI was done because he couldn’t get the biopsy though the lady beside me at hospital told me she got an MRI after she had a biopsy done so they could see if her cancer had spread. So I’m not entirely sure what the norm is with regards to what tests they do.

I'm 61 so similar age.

I believe all hospitals do different things tbh. 

My consultant offered me a hysteroscopy before I had the attempted biopsy, so I think that she has the attitude of checking thoroughly to be on the safe side, which I'm glad about. I believe my family history had a lot to do with it too.

Sorry for all the questions but were your symptoms a one off or did they last for days/weeks? 

I had bleeding for 3 days, although I believe it was from my bowel...hence the investihations on my bowel, which were clear apart from some benign polyps.

Oh my discharge was ongoing for a few weeks. The only reason I went to my GP was because I was annoyed at having to use sanitary towels. I thought if I was going to be using pads for anything at my age it would be incontinence. The GP did both a smear test and a test for bacterial vaginosis which came back negative and that’s when she suggested a gynae referral. Cancer never entered my head until the consultant did the ultrasound at the first appointment.

Oh I see. 

I too was a bit shocked at the ultrasound. I didn't think a thickened womb lining was much to worry about until I Googled it.

I am glad that you have had a hysterectomy, and I will keep my fingers crossed for you that this has got rid of it. I think the consultants see this day in, day out, so they know what they are looking at.

I do hope you get your results soon. The waiting time, as I found out whilst waiting for my bowel results, is very hard to get through. Please let us know how you get on.

I am so grateful for your reply and also for these forums.

Hi Tilly

It is almost a year ago that I had two incidences of slight spotting that sent me to the doctors and then to the hospital for further investigations. My womb lining measured 7.8 mm and the consultant who did the TVS scan interpreted the results as masses on my ovaries which was somewhat worrying however the MRI showed that these were in fact fibroids but that there was a small area that needed investigation. I had the MRI  before my hysteroscopy which I had under GA as the TVS had been extremely painful.  The hysteroscopy confirmed early stages of cancer and I had a hysterectomy and all the bits at the end of Feb this year which I have recovered well from. There is a time line etc in my profile. 

I know it must be worrying for you with your family history and as everyone says on this forum waiting is the worst part. I was still working when I had my tests and operation which helped a bit and I found doing something repetitive such as knitting etc helped me to stop dwelling on things excessively.  

Hi Tilly123

Welcome to the Womb group.

I am sorry to hear that you have had some bleeding and some hyperplasia/cystic spaces.

I am also sorry to hear that your Mum had womb cancer and understand that this is an additional worry. My Mum had a related cancer and I know they asked a lot of questions at the time. 

There can be other reasons for these symptoms, other than cancer but they always try to rule out the most serious potential causes first. Here is some info on hyperplasia. 

Endometrial Hyperplasia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

It is not unusual for an outpatient hysteroscopy to be stopped and to be rearranged for under GA. Hopefully the procedure can be done quickly so that you can have answers. The biopsy is the only thing that can say for certain whether there is any cancer present. An MRI/CT can pick up that something is wrong but can not say for sure as they need to look at the cells. Scans tend to be used after someone has had a diagnosis to look at whether the cancer has spread. The hysteroscopy is normally done at the same time as the biopsy and it is a little camera where they can take a closer look.

It is good that your bowel has been screened. It can be hard to work out where any blood is coming from especially with an upset tummy. But it sounds positive that they could not find anything causing the bleeding there. 

I know it is hard but it is better to know what you are dealing with and then it can be treated. Your symptoms could be due to other things but you are doing the right thing in getting checked out. 

If talking things through would help, do give the Support Line a call.

Good Luck for the hysteroscopy/biopsy.

Jane

Hi Jane2511 and Hydrangea,

Thank you so much for your replies.

I actually had a phone call from the hospital today. The nurse said that they were hoping to do the hystoscopy and biopsy within the next couple of weeks, which is both worrying and reasuring at the same time.

I am really hoping that the blood had come from my bowel.

I had 3 small polyps removed during the colonoscopy. They were an aggressive type but all were benign...thank goodness. I am now on 3 year surveilance with that. I also have diverticular disease, so am hoping that the blood had come from those.

I am relieved to have a consultant who is 'on the ball.'

Again, thank you both for your replies. Thank goodness for this forum xx

Chrissie x

Hi again,

Sorry, could I ask if 'the small area that needed investigating' was in the fibroids or the lining of your womb? 

Thanks

Chrissie