possible uterine cancer

[llcoolbeans]

Here is a quick history:
In late 2004 I had a bad pap followed by a colposcopy.  The final results showed a slight dysplasia, but my doctor said everything looked good.  I had a follow pap in 2005 that looked good.  In late 2006 I began heavy bleeding and passing large clots.  The doctor did an ultrasound and found a polyp.  He followed up with a hysterscope and a D&C in Feburary of 2007.  They found about a half dozen polyps which all tested negative for cancer. This was supposed to solve all my problems.  It didn't do a thing.  I continued with extremely heavy periods and passing clots the size of Texas.  I lived with it for about a year before going back to the doctor due to poor insurance during that time.  Now he feels it could be endometrial cancer or a return of the polyps.  My fear is that I have had cancer this whole time and he missed it the first time around.  Shouldn't I have had a reduction in the bleeding at least for a short time?  I am only 39 yet very overweight which greatly increases my chances.  I feel it is highly unlikey that my scheduled ultrasound will show polyps.  I also have been experiencing a weird intermittent burning sensation about 3 inches over from my navel and an inch or so down from there.  Along with urinary incontinence.  i need to urinate immediately after drinking and often leak urine through the day.  My biggest worry is that the cancer has spread and that is why I am having these other symptoms.  Please share any info you might have

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hey There,
a D&C may help. There may be more to the polyp deeper inside.  Sometimes bleeding can be due to a benign fibroid that is distorting the cavity of the uterus. In that case, a D&C may not help
best wishes

[keepingthefaith911]

I have same bleeding as llcoolbeans - my doc found a polyp today on my cervix and sent a biopsy to the lab to rule out uterine cancer.  If the polyp is negative, I also have a 2 cm fibroid on top of my uterus.  Which one of these growths is responsible for my heavy bleeding and will a D&C get me back on track?

keepingthefaith in Virginia

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Thee,
You have had a really good evaluation. A D&C is the gold standard test for diagnosing endometrial cancer. It sounds like you had benign polyps. So we know that there was no sign of cancer one year ago.
Bleeding can be from many causes such as fibroids, polyps, , infection, pregnancy, adenomyosis (a benign condition of normal endometrial glands growing into the muscle wall of the uterus.) And of course endometrial cancer presents with abnormal bleeding.

A repeat D&C is absolutely the right thing to do.
best wishes