Is this a possible Cancer?

[shawnahinch]

Just got my results for a pelvic ultrasound yesterday..
Left ovary is not visualized well on today's examination. Right ovary identified and appears unremarkable. Right ovary volume measure 7.2cc. Uterus shows hypoechoic nodules first identified along the anterior wall measures 1.6cm x 1.5 cm, second measured along the posterior wall measures 3.6cm x 3.5 cm and the third appears intramural in location measures 1.7cm x 1.5 cm, sonographically suggestive of multiple uterine fibroids. Nabothian cysts are identified within the uterine cervix. Endometrial echo thickness measure 8.6mm. Uterus measures 8 cm x 3.6 cm.    

Now my questions are I any of this cancerous??  And do I need a Hysterectomy?  I have an appointment with a specialist on may 8th.. I also have a ton of pain when menstruating (before and after) I also get a period anywhere from 1 1/2 weeks to to weeks apart...so I am always menstruating....it's very painful and frustrating..

[shawnahinch]

Thanks and I already have an appointment with a new Dr.. lets hope it's a good one, one I feel comfortable with..(and don't think is a whack job)  lol

[HVAC]

I think a second opinion would be good. You have to trust your doctor. I never got a second opinion until I had one doctor I did not like. I did not get a second opinion and I wish I had. The guy neglected me almost to death. I changed doctors just in time. Now if I get a funny feeling I switch.

Alex

[shawnahinch]

Iron is good...   I would rather have a hysterectomy, as I have already been in menopause for years already... and as for the Lupron shots , (yes that is what she wants to put me on) I don't want to take it as I have not read anything good on it. It causes problems, and the fibroids can grow back... the other medicine is a pill called fibristal... it also has many side effects and have not read anything good on it either.... the fibroids also can grow back after this treatment.. I think I will find another Dr... this one scares the hell out of me... thanks everyone..

[old_before_my_time]

I presume this medication that will put you into severe menopause is Lupron?  It can cause some permanent problems too. It sounds like even if your doctor would do a myomectomy to remove just the fibroids, she may not be skilled enough to remove large ones if she is suggesting Lupron.

Since the uterus has lifelong anatomical, skeletal, hormonal, and sexual functions, it is important to  know about uterine sparing options. The ovaries of women who have all their parts produce hormones well into their 70's and possibly beyond. Hysterectomy is known to have a fairly high risk of ovarian failure causing a surgical type menopause. And if you are near menopause, you may be able to wait it out while monitoring your condition.

As the other poster mentioned, heavy and/or prolonged bleeding can cause iron deficiency anemia. Did your doctor do blood tests for this to see if you need to take iron supplements ?

[Azl49]

Assuming that you will get eventually diagnosed with fibrosis, I would like to share with you a real life story of my friend who started with the same symptoms as you have. Every gyn she saw insisted on hysterectomy and she did not want it. Then she found one who convinced her that - as she close to menopause age - it will "shrink by itself naturally" and put her on some supplements. As she was having heavy periods, often 1-2 weeks apart, she lost a lot of blood and consequently low RBC. That affected seriously heart function, ended up with severe chronic anemia. Got hysterectomy anyway but the overall health is ruined. So even if hysterectomy is overused in this country, one should weight her options and take into consideration all important aspects (age, how heavy is bleeding/pain, are babies wanted in future etc etc) as every situation is unique. I would certainly go to two-three second opinions on that. Forcing yourself into "early menopause " somehow does not look appealing.

[HVAC]

Shrinking the lumps does make some sense. If you have any doubts I would get a second opinion. I ended up at a better hospital when I switched doctors three months out. I wish I had gotten a new doctor sooner.

Alex

[shawnahinch]

Also had a Biopsy done on my uterus. Dr. is checking for cancer.. although every other test done has already said NO Cancer...  Feeling like I have a quack for a Dr..  and feeling very frustrated..(get those test results back end of next week)

[shawnahinch]

Dr. refuses to do a hysterectomy, and wants to put me on medicine that will put me right into heavy duty menopause... (medicine has all kinds of complications that can arise) she want's to stop all hormones and try shrink the lumps.. Makes no sense to me, as I would get surgery to remove them afterwards.... if I get some kind of lump removal surgery, why put me through more hell for 3 months before surgery???  Makes no sense to me... just do the surgery to remove the lumps and work from there... :(

[shawnahinch]

Thank you for the advice, I will be doing my research.

[old_before_my_time]

I agree with HVAC - these uterine growths are probably fibroids which are very common and can cause irregular bleeding and sometimes pain. The uterus and ovaries have lifelong functions so it is best to hang onto them forever if possible. Unfortunately, hysterectomy is grossly overused in the U.S. and some other countries (only 2% are done for cancer in the U.S.) so you really have to research and advocate for yourself to get organ-sparing treatment. I have read that fibroids under 4cm can be removed via hysteroscopy and larger ones via myomectomy preserving the uterus and its non-reproductive functions...that is if you have a surgeon with these skills and good ethics.

[HVAC]

Good luck and keep us posted. I hope they can help with the pain. That is no fun at all. The thing about Ovarian Cancer is it is pretty much painless that is why women do not know they have it.

Alex

[shawnahinch]

Thank you and I will definitely be asking to keep my ovaries if possible..

[HVAC]

I am not a doctor but it sounds more like fibroids which are not cancerous. Your lifetime cancer risk is low unless you have the BRCA mutation (which causes ovarian and your issue seems like fibroids).They will probably suggest a hysterectomy. I would definitely keep my ovaries since they are so important to a woman's life time health. I had to have my ovaries remove due to ovarian cancer. I have lost my sex life all together which is tough when you are married. I would not have otherwise had my ovaries removed.I do not know how hard it would be to just remove the fibroids. Someone else can answer that better.

Alex