Awaiting diagnosis

[bongosmama]

This is not so much a question as a rant! Well - firstly a question, though. What is a 'normal' upper limit to the thickness of the endometrium? I am a 39-yr old woman, with a +/- 8 month history of irregular periods, along with extended bleeding days and really bad cramps. I have 3 children, the last of which is 13. Yesterday, my gynae found (by ultrasound with doppler) a mass that encompasses my left ovary (which is enlarged) and appears to also be attached to the outside of my womb. The endometrium was also found to be 25mm thick. There is significantly increased blood flow to the affected ovary. I am going in on Monday 8 June for hysteroscopy, D&C, biopsy and CT scan. Is there anything else this could be, rather than cancer?

[dian07]

YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.....it is imperative, especially with your family history, you have a gyn/oncologist perform your surgery, or, as Chris suggested, at least be on call!  If there is a chance it is cancer, why don't they run a CA125 and do the CT hoping to learn more about what they might find?
Regarding your question about whether it could be something other than cancer.....of course it can!  I think it's  95% of tumors are benign.  Still, I wouldn't move forward without a consult with a gyn/oncologist.
Good luck, and please do let us know how things turn out.Peace.
dian

[ChrisP2236]

Let us know how it goes. We hope it isn't, but if it does turn out to be cancer the ladies on this board are a wonderful source of support and information.  If you can't have a gyn/onc operate at least request one be on standby, but I really hope you can have the surgery done by a gyn/onc.  I don't think anyone ever is ready to hear this diagnosis and again, I hope you don't.  Chris P

[bongosmama]

Thank you, Chris. The gyn/oncologist question really concerns me, because I am on a particular medical plan where I am forced to be at one hospital and use their doctors. However, I am certainly going to ask whether this an option for me when I get there on Monday! Reproductive cancers have killed every woman on the paternal side of my family, so this is beyond scary for me. I so didn't imagine having to face this so soon... Oh well, who does?

[ChrisP2236]

I don't know the answer to your questions but I would caution you that if cancer is suspected have a gyn/oncologist perform your surgery.  They are specifically trained to deal with gyn/reproductive issues and will do staging, pelvic washes and any necessary biopsies if it is found you need them.  They also know how best to operate to prevent spillage or spread of cancer if that is what they find.  Hopefully it is not cancer but you want to give yourself the best opportunity for dealing with it if it is, and that would be a gyn/onc.  Best wishes, Chris P