Hi, I'm new driving myself crazy waiting for results!

Hi Heidi

Welcome to the group.

Waiting for results is really tough. 

You have done the right thing in getting checked out and hopefully you won't have to wait too much longer to find out what is causing your symptoms. 

It is good news that your bowel is clear.

The ca125 is a blood marker that is useful in ovarian cancer but it is routinely checked where there are symptoms that in some people could mean a gynae cancer. Any level of 35 or under is considered normal. So yours is slightly higher than they would like and it is normal in these circumstances for them to do further investigations. CA125 can be raised for different reasons and infection is one. The levels can change which is why they are suggesting a repeat blood test. CA125 on its own does not diagnose or rule out cancer- it is just a marker. My levels were always within normal range and I had cancer. 

The ultrasounds that you had are the routine next step. Results can often come quickly- mine was done 5pm one day and I was called the following morning. It sounds like the fibroid may be what the doctor could have felt. Poorly defined endometrium at 10mm is saying that the endometrium is thicker than they would like and not as smooth/even as they would like. The hyperplasia (thickened lining) can have different causes- some are less concerning than others. 

After something is picked up on the ultrasound then a hysteroscopy/biopsy is the normal next step. They are simply have a closer and clear look and taking some cells for testing. 

When a small polyp is found, these can sometimes be removed however the position and size of the polyp are important. Some tiny polyps can be left if they are not causing an issue. However a polyp that is starting in the cervix and running into the uterus may be more difficult to remove as it is in a more difficult position. By testing it they can see whether it needs to be removed- depending on whether there is cancer present- it could affect the treatment. 

At the moment what they are doing is investigating further and trying to rule out the most serious potential reasons for your problems. ie cancer. They always try to rule out cancer first and once that is done they can then look at what may needs to happen next. 

The time taken for biopsy results to come back can vary a lot. It is simply dependant on how busy the pathology lab is and has no bearing on the results. My diagnostic biopsy results came back at around a week. My post op ones took 3 1/2 weeks. If you do not hear anything by the end of the week then it would do no harm to contact your GP as any results are likely to go to them. My GP always had everything sent electronically and would often receive things several days before I did. 

Hopefully your results will show that the fibroid and polyp are benign but if there is any cancer present- then endometrial cancer, where caught early is normally a very treatable cancer. 

It is hard to focus on much else when waiting for results so do give the Support Line a call if talking things through would help.

Jane

Thank you Jane for replying,

Everything you've said is all very logical and I know in my ration brain they are doing all the tests they can to find the cause of my symptoms - it's just the unknown!

I have quite a stressful full-time job and two teen daughters to run around after so I'm keeping busy but trying to focus on anything other than cancer at the moment is impossible! Thank you for the advice on ringing my gp - I will try early next week if I haven't heard anything  I do. 

I feel like a womb expert I've read so much in the past few weeks! x

Hello Heidi. It's normal to get ultrasound results very quickly, I was told immediately I'd need a hysteroscopy.  Reading other posts here I was very fortunate to have my similar polyp removed on Monday with local anaesthetic and gas and air.  The nurse did offer to wait and have it done under general anaesthetic and that seems to be the usual approach when they are really big. But she was very experienced and willing to try and I was keen to get on with it. I'm told I'll be waiting 2-3 weeks for the biopsy results (my CA125 was just in the normal range) then it's either no treatment needed, progesterone (they like a coil, I'd prefer tablets) or a hysterectomy. I suspect as you've probably finished your family and have heavy periods and some risk factors they'll offer you a hysterectomy regardless of the biopsy results.  The CA125 test is not brilliant and there are several reasons it can be high, my gp didnt want to do it at all but I insisted.

My consultant does keyhole surgery and the internet says 6-8 weeks recovery time for a keyhole hysterectomy, he was trying to convince me it would be 2 weeks! It will end those heavy periods but you'll be menopausal and some forms of HRT may not be suitable but it's not the end of the world.  At some stage you may get an MRI scan. Hopefully a hysterectomy will be enough but they will also biopsy anything they remove in case you need further treatment. 

Waiting for results is always tough so it may help if you mentally prepare yourself for a hysterectomy and if it turns out not be needed you'll just be relieved. It is possible you'll need other treatment but face that if it comes to it.

Thank you for your reassuring words

I've been called back this Thursday - it doesn't really give me much information in my letter except time/date and all the details about hysteroscopies so I'm not sure if I'm having another hysteroscopy or this is the appointment to have the polyp removed or it's for results?? I guess I will find out on Thursdays.

All I know is I feel totally out of control of my body during this waiting wondering of all the ifs buts and maybes!

I'm in quite a bit of pain/pressure feeling and keep trying to manage but it really it exhausting - I hope I have some answers soon x

Hi Heidi, I’d suggest that you give them a call to request clarification as to the purpose of this appointment.

Hi Marmite, I called on Friday, the secretary is away on annual leave until next week, I only got the answer phone message. I tried the unit and they.didnt know and said I should attend as planned. It's all very frustrating! 

Well at least it isnt a long wait. Try the secretary on Monday but I've also had the experience of phoning and they didnt know what would be happening. If your gpp is any use (mine isnt) they may be more successful in getting some information for you. I doubt they'll have the biopsy results yet. They may remove the polyp this time or they may just want to talk to you about a hysterectomy. If you cant get any information tomorrow take your painkillers an hour before and assume as they've sent the paperwork it's another hysteroscopy. They really ought to know if you are down for a GA or not.

Hi Heidi, if the secretary is on leave, someone will be covering his or her work - so I’d suggest calling the main number, asking for whoever that is and then asking them what’s happening. 

Thank you, I called today and spoke to another secretary..she said my biopsy results and blood results are back but haven't yet been reported on and to call back on Wednesday when my consultants secretary is back. She did say that Thursdays appointment is for a polypectomy even though the letter says hysteroscopy. So it must be the polyp they saw but said they weren't going to remove until results were back! This journey can be up and down and back to front all in the same minute!!! I'm all over the place 

I remember that feeling, I used to think I was going from far left of the path, to far right and on the odd occasion met with the path others were on. It all got much better when I finally knew what was what, and felt I had some control back. Good luck with getting the results and your appt on Thursday