Terrified of cancer after hysteroscopy and biopsy

[Ohforfucksake]

Has anyone here had any experience of this?

I went to the GP after years of heavy irregular periods, and she booked me in for a routine ultrasound and gave me Mefnamic acid.

At the ultrasound I was told 'all looks fine!' and I didn't think twice about it, happily skipped off.

Next day I get a call from the hospital saying Ive been booked into Emergency Gynae and to come the next day! Aargh I think. They couldn't tell me why, just that Im requested to go. So a sleepless night later and a trek through the snow, and Im told I have to have a Hysteroscopy!

They have sent away tissue samples for a biopsy but I dont really understand whats going on... I only went in for heavy periods. They said the lining is thick. Is that always very bad outcome?

I have to wait 2-3 weeks for results and Im so confused and worried. Feel asleep hugging my boys last night thinking 'Oh Sh*t!'

Any advice or fellow stories greatly appreciated xx

I had a hysteroscopy and biopsy because on an ultrasound i had a thickened endometrium and a big polyp. Symptoms had been spotting between periods, I did have very heavy periods too. All was fine! Biopsy came back normal. When they did the hysteroscopy i was awake, but they couldn't take the polyp out because it was too big, and he said i had a generalised polypoid change, so it needed to be done under GA. That freaked me out, i can tell you! It was all fine though, the biopsy of the polyp was also normal. I'm sure they're just being thorough, and would have told you at the ultrasound if anything was concerning. Did your gp put though the referral to gynae at the same time perhaps? And just forgot to mention. Try not to worry... and don't Google!

I'm in a different but similar position after I decided to have a private scan rather than bother my GP about my bleeding and found I have a large mass in my uterus that is probably just a polyp but it got me googling.

All my googling has generally showed that the chances of cancer are very small before menopause, they are more than likely just being on the safe side.

Years of irregular heavy periods? The fact that you've had years of it is actually re-assuring. Lots of women can have thickened endometriums - the Drs just need to be sure it's nothing serious. Don't worry and definitely do not look on google.

I just wanted to say to all of you - THANK YOU!!!!! You have single handedly stopped me from hyperventilating!!! What a great support :-)

Just to add I have also had a couple of hysteroscopies (all under GA) with biopsies, one for polyps which were snipped off and sent away, and one for a tumour - which sounds scary but was actually completely benign. Ooh I also had one following some dodgy cervical cells and they spotted some endometriosis, I’ve also had years of irregular bleeding and in my last hysteroscopy they popped in a mirena which has reduced bleeding to four days a month and very minimal.

I understand the wait for results though, be very kind to yourself x

My mum had a thickened womb lining and very heavy periods. Her hysteroscopy found cancer of the womb lining. She had a hysterectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. Five years on she is still cancer free and doing great. Just wanted to say that even if it isn't good news there is a good chance of a good outcome. Good luck xx

She was 57 and had no symptoms of menopause.

I've had hysterscopy and biopsy 4 years ago, came back negative. Now got hysterscopy, biopsy and resection of fibroid on 13th.

Hoping its nothing for you. I think when they suspect cancer the biopsy is rushed through so think you should be OK.

Thank you so much for sharing all of your time and experiences with me - sending so much love and thanks in return

There is usually a cut off of 5 or 6 mm and it is routine to do a biopsy if the lining is thicker than this. This happened to me and the biopsy was inadequate so had to do a hysteroscopy.
Try not to worry it's very common and will mean that any abnormalities can be picked and treated at an early stage.

The typical cut off measurements are 15mm pre menopausal and 5mm post menopausal

OP A lot depends on when you had the scan in your cycle.

If you had not had a period for some week, then yes, of course the lining would be thick. If you had for example not had a period for 2 months you could have a very thick lining.

If you had a scan immediately after a period, the lining would look very different.

As others have said, a normal endometrium before menopause can be as high as 18mm thick. After menopause they prefer it to be 5mm and under, unless on HRT when there is more leeway due to the effects of HRT.

I suspect you have been caught up in red tape; your lining showed up as 'thick' and the next step is a biopsy.

I've had 2, and a hysteroscopy both without a GA or a local- just straight in. It was fine. Don't worry.

I had a hysteroscopy 9 wks ago today and still haven't had any results through the post.... I'm petrified of calling the doctors, and keep thinking that no news is good news... anyone else had to wait a long time for results?