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Avatar universal

Worrying about cancer

Post-menopausal, aged 61, about 7 years since last period. Tiny specks of blood on toilet paper after wiping (seen once) and then noticed all my (laundered) panties have pink-tinged stain. Urine samples show microscopic blood. Recent pap smear normal - never had abnormal smears. Trans-vaginal ultrasound abnormal - showed small cyst on ovary, fluid in womb and 'some irregularities' of womb, though my womb is small and the lining is not too thick.

My mother died of uterine cancer at my age. I've never had children which I understand puts me at higher risk. Never been on HRT or birth control pills. I'm making myself ill fearing the worst. I know these things need checking out before I can know anything for certain. I'm waiting to see a gynaecologist. I also have to repeat the first part of the pelvic ultrasound (not the transvaginal part) as my bladder wasn't full enough for them to get a clear view. Could there be non-serious causes for my symptoms?
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Avatar universal
Update:

I went to have my hysteroscopy and biopsy under general anaesthetic. When I woke up from the anaesthetic I was told that they had been unable to proceed because my cervix is closed. The attempt made me bleed and I'm still spotting five days later. I'm due to see a gynaecologist in about a week to see what can be done now.

I'm also waiting for a blood test result regarding the cyst.

For the blood in urine I'm due to have another ultrasound, this time a renal one to look at my urinary tract and an abdominal aorta. I don't understand why I'm to have the abdominal aorta.
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Avatar universal
Thanks, Kaneda and Tinabudde, for taking the time to comment. I very much appreciate your responses.

I'm now on standby to have a hysteroscopy (with a general anaesthetic) to check out the irregularities in my womb lining and take a biopsy. They seem more concerned about these than the cyst. They said it's a small, simple cyst - I think they said 2.5 cm, and they feel it's safe to leave it and just keep checking with ultrasound to make sure it doesn't grow. I'll be jumping every time the phone rings now until I get this hysteroscopy over with, but I feel better knowing that at least things are moving.
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1686908 tn?1307193790
HI jeanie,  It could be that the cyst ruptured.  I am on lupron therapy for a 10.1 cyst that is now down to 2.3cm.  I had blood too and was terrified, I'm a cancer survivor of 18 years and oh man all I could think of was now I had ovarian cancer or uterine.  It turned out the cyst ruptured and I also had endometriosis and fibroids.  So there are other things that can cause bleeding.  They could probably do a cat scan or MRI of the abdomen to rule out things but since your urine showed blood, there might be an infection somewhere.  Bladder infections are noted for causing blood.  Try to relax and wait for the doctors report and the next testing.  I know that's easier said than done but there are other causes.
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1728693 tn?1332165262
According to medicinenet.com -

"The causes of gross and microscopic hematuria are similar and may result from bleeding anywhere along the urinary tract. One cannot readily distinguish between blood originating in the kidneys, ureters (the tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder), bladder, or urethra. Any degree of blood in the urine should be fully evaluated by a physician, even if it resolves spontaneously.

Infection of the urine, stemming either from the kidneys or bladder, is a common cause of microscopic hematuria. Kidney and bladder stones can cause irritation and abrasion of the urinary tract, leading to microscopic or gross hematuria. Trauma affecting any of the components of the urinary tract or the prostate can lead to bloody urine. Hematuria can also be associated with renal (or kidney) disease, as well as hematologic disorders involving the body's clotting system. Medications that increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), or clopidogrel (Plavix), may also lead to bloody urine. Lastly, cancer anywhere along the urinary tract can present with hematuria."

It could be something benign or, if it's serious, you know that caught early enough it can be dealt with - my father (in his late 70s) had bladder cancer and they appear to have caught it soon enough - It would seem sensible to me to get  it checked out as soon as you can.
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