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Avatar universal

Waiting and Waiting

I am a 42 year old female who has been playing the waiting game and the longer it goes the more scared I get.  
In the summer when I had my routine bloodwork done they found I was anemic and so as a start they did an occult blood stool test.   That came back positive for blood so they had me do another one and the second one came back negative.   They reteasted my iron levels and found I was still anemic.   At that point I was refered to a Gastroenterologist.   The Gastroenterologist told me that it was becuase I was sill having menstral cycles and was not happy when I pushed back about why this had changed.    I was then scheduled for a colonoscopy which I had on December 28th.   During the colonoscopy they found an ulcerated mass in the rectum.   The doctor tried to remove it but it was hard and they could not.    Samples were taken and they immediately sent me for a CT scan that same day.  
I followed up on January 2nd with the doctor who told me that every thing was fine and that it was not cancer but they have scheuled me for a flexable sigmoidoscopy on Feb 4th and a follow up appointment for Feb 25th.    In the weeks that have passed I have continued to pass blood (varrying amounts at varrying times).  
As I never heard the results of the CT scan I requested copys of the report this week.    The biopsy report states: "No diagnostic features of carcinoma are present in this scant material.  Re-biopsy may be indicated as this material may not be represetative of the mass noted endoscopiclly."  (Thus the Flexibal Sigmoidoscopy to take new biopsys).    The CT report is now where I am scared.   It states: " Mild perirectal lymphadenopathy mesuring 6 mm in shortest axis noted with in the postierer perirectal fat.   Conclusion: Eccentric wall thickening involving the rectum with mild perirectal lymphadenopathy concerning for rectal carcinoma."
Now I am really worried.    Anyone else have this to have it be benign??  
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1806721 tn?1554333407
Hi, you didn't mention where the tumor is located and the size of the mass.  If it measures >2.5cm, there's a 50/50 chance of malignancy.  My tumor was removed during colonoscopy - it's 2.5cm and hard. They can't take out the whole thing. I had a piecemeal polypectomy.  I'm surprised that your doctor didn't send you for an endoscopic ultrasound which may reveal useful info re lymph nodes.  Anyway, don't worry too much.  Even if it's cancer w/ lymph spread, it's still highly curable!
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Avatar universal
Today was the flexible Sigmoidoscopy.   Prior to the procedure the doc stopped in the room to see me and stated that he was surprised when the last biopsy came back benign.   He thinks that the lymphoid involvement may just be inflammation.    He took another round of samples today and sent those with photos to the path lab.   During the procedure he stated that he had never seen anything like this and was not sure what the issue is.   He did say (and I can confirm) that the masses did not look as bad today as they were prior.   I am now very confused as this is so weird.  
I was kind of wondering if they are not some kind of miss placed endrometriosis as today they looked better and I was at the end of my cycle as opposed to being in the middle of my cycle before.  
I do feel some what better as the doctor was confident that we would have the same begin results again with these biopsies and with the explanation of they inflammation.    Now we just wait.   My follow up is not till the 25th.
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Avatar universal
Sorry, but no.  Make sure they take plenty of samples to biopsy when they go in for a second look.  If you can't get good answers, get a second opinion.  You want the second opinion to see the original slides, don't let they give you re-cuts.  

I hope it turns out well for you.  Be sure to let us know what you discover.
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