Bulky cervix, 2 week pathway

[Rebs94]

I came off the injection in February in order to conceive our third DC. I have now been continuously bleeding since September, some days heavy, others light but nonetheless nonstop.

I visited the doctor last week who has referred me to the gynae in the meantime, but also had me booked in for a nurse to take some swabs. This was done last week, and the doctor phoned me up late that night saying he is now putting me on the two week wait for possible cervical cancer as my cervix is very "bulky" and he said it is looking rather abnormal.

I would just like to know others' experiences of these problems, in particular, what the doctors means by "bulky". It's such a strange word, imo to use so I just wanted a better understanding of everything that is happening!

My appointment is on Thursday, so I know I don't have long to wait, but I'm obviously worrying and will continue to do so until the appointment!

Many thanks in advance for any experiences/knowledge about this topic!

[Rebs94]

Hopeful bump!

[catnidge]

Hi @Rebs94, my experience is not exactly the same but this may be some use to you.

Bulky isnt really a very helpful term. It just means something is larger than expected. This could be for a number of reasons and it is good your GP has referred you for further testing. It is a horribly worrying time though.
Do you know what your appointment on Thursday will entail?

I had 3 months of abnormal bleeding. I had a routine smear call up in this time which showed high grade Cgin abnormal cells.
I had further testing and received a diagnosis of endometrial cancer. I've had treatment for both and it was caught early.

Statistically most 2 week referrals don't lead to a cancer diagnosis, but the wait is dreadful.
In my case they used the word bulky to describe my womb.

Wishing you lots of luck for
Thursday.

[Rebs94]

@catnidge thanks so much replying.
The hospital letter just states it's an appointment for suspected cervical cancer following cervical abnormalities but it does not state what testing will be done.

I've read that the majority of referrals for the 2WW do not lead to cancer diagnosis and I am happy with the statistics backing this, but as you say, it's still such a worrying time leading up to the appointment. Can I ask what tests you had to confirm your diagnosis? I've been reading about possible testing they will do, but would like to know more if you have any other information?

Also, if you don't mind my asking, do you know how this will affect my fertility if it is that scenario? As you can see from my OP, I have said we have been TTC, so obviously I'm rather nervous about whether or not I will be able to have any more children!
Thanks again for your advice.

[catnidge]

Hi, first I had an internal scan which showed large complex cysts and polyps. I had then had a colposcopy appt following the abnormal smear. At the colposcopy appt I had some biopsies taken.
My gp had referred me for a hysterscopy which the colposcopy team then got fast tracked.
Under GA I had an extended Lletz treatment, polypectomy, and hysteroscopy. They took a number of biopsies
5 days after this I was called and asked to come in and see the surgeon. The found cancer in my endometrial lining and cervix. Mri and ct scan happened that week.
Cancer was confirmed to be endometrial with cgin in cervix and some endo cancer cells shed onto, but not growing in the cervix. The polyps and cysts were benign.

Have a look at Jo's cervical cancer forum. They have a number of forums for people going though testing right the way through to post treatment.

Unfortunately, I can't give much advice on fertility sparing treatment as my family is complete. There will be info on treatment on Jo's forum. Also may be worth looking at the mcmillian cancer forums for support and advice.

There is also a wonderful cancer support thread here, in General Health. You don't have to have a diagnosis to post there.

Any more questions ask away.
I do remember how alone I felt going through all the tests.

Sorry if this is a bit garbled, I'm at the vet with the dog.

[Rebs94]

Not argued at all@catnidge, very helpful in fact! I will take look through the board and that website now thank you!

I've got a great support network and my husband is being amazing with it all, so I'm extremely lucky in that sense. Like you say, the waiting game is just so scary!

I think my worry at the moment is how my fertility will be affected - we've been trying since February for our last child, now the prospect of having no more is hitting me hard. Everyone else is concerned about my health etc, but I just want to know whether I can have more children! It sounds silly as it should be the least of my worries right now, but we've been living in hope of becoming pregnant for 8 months sorry I know that sounds so superficial when I already have two beautiful DC, I haven't been able to really discuss that side of things with my OH as he is only concerned for me, so coming on here and getting that off my chest should help! 🤷‍♀️

[Rebs94]

@catnidge sorry that should have said garbled! Silly autocorrect

[catnidge]

@Rebs94, no I can totally understand how you feel. Having another child is very important to you and it's a goal you want to achieve.
Its strange how when it's your own health you worry in a different way to the rest of your family. I know my husbands main concern was my health and getting things done as fast as possible on the treatment front. Whereas sometimes I almost needed a little breathing space to attempt to process things.
Is you husband going to your appointment on Thursday?

[Rebs94]

@catnidge he has taken the day off to come with me for support thankfully. And my parents have taken the day off to watch my two preschoolers for me - like I say I'm so lucky to have such a great support network.

I will keep this thread updated with news on Thursday - I wonder how long the appointment will take? The hospital letter states I need to go to the colposcopy department so I'm assuming that is all I will have done then and possible further tests at a later date?

[catnidge]

OK, good to hear you have lots of support
Have you ever had a colposcopy before? It's usually a colposcopist and 1 or 2 nurses
The will have a look and possibly take some biopsies for which you do a cough as they take them.it wasn't painful.
They may carry our a lletz procedure to remove abnormal cells there and then. If that happens you will be given an injection of local anaesthetic.
They can refer you for further tests, as mine did and send you for some blood tests.
Good luck.

[Rebs94]

@catnidge I had a colposcopy between my two children as I had abnormal bleeding after intercourse and they suspected an ectropian but this was not found and was supposedly sorted through a change in contraception. As you can tell, I have had many gynae problems over the years so this is just adding to it!

[yoshimi]

Hi rebs I just wanted to say good luck with the tests etc... as Catnige said they may well do a lletz treatment with high grade cells- whole thing takes about half an hour and they’ll be able to answer all your questions. Hope the outcome is good for you- it’s so hard not to worry!

[Rebs94]

Thank you @yoshimi for the messages of luck, they are very much appreciated right now! Fingers crossed it will all be over by the end of Thursday and I can put the last week behind me and forget about it!

Thanks again for writing, I will update on Thursday with news

[catnidge]

@Rebs94, good luck, thinking of you today.

[Rebs94]

Thanks @catnidge the doc - that was very painful! But she looked and said she is happy with my cervix so now just to wait for the biopsy results! Such a relief. Many thanks for all your help the last few days

[catnidge]

That sounds postitive @Rebs94, hope the biopsies come back and put your mind completely at rest.

[Rebs94]

So a further update for anyone still there... received a letter from the gynae confirming I have a bulky cervix and HPV changes in my cervix, and my biopsy results will confirm whatever is happening. So, now I feel like I'm back to square one with the worry!

[Hellbentwellwent]

Sorry to hear you’re still waiting for your results. What a crap time of year to be worrying. Just wanted to send some sympathy

[catnidge]

Sorry to hear you are still waiting for news.
I know when I had my colposcopy they said the results would take 4 to 6 weeks.
Hoping you hear soon and it's good news.

[Rebs94]

Thank you both for your concern. I'm still trying to keep positive, I guess Christmas is helping as I'm so distracted with it all that I can almost forget about it! Fingers crossed for good news before the big day!

[mumsnoangel]

@Rebs94 hope you're ok?

[Old22]

Hi how did you get on?