Worried about biopsy on vulva

[AnxiousJ]

NC for this.

Feeling very anxious as I wait for results of a biopsy, sample taken on Tuesday and follow up appointment to discuss results booked in for two weeks from then.

In the last ~6 months, I’ve developed odd marks on my labia, the only way I can describe them is as blood blisters. There are approximately seven (it’s hard to see!) and they seem to be getting more noticeable and/or bigger and/or more of them. They are itchy and also a bit painful, but it’s more like discomfort or irritation. Some of them seem to be in a line, following a blood vessel.

The GP wasn’t really interested and fobbed me off. Saw a second GP who also rolled her eyes and said it’s “the ends of my capillaries” (wtf? Just appeared out of nowhere?!) but did a general referral to a gynaecologist. The appointment came through for 3 months time. Luckily I have private health insurance, so made arrangements to see a private consultant.

The private doctor confused me as she said it’s “probably nothing sinister” but then said it might be a melanoma. As I said, a biopsy has been taken. Does a biopsy mean she’s thinking about cancer? I’m not really sure.

Obviously, Doctor Google tells me I’m dying of some very rare vulval cancer. It’s all I can think about has anyone experienced anything similar? Would it be unusual for a cancer to present in several marks on the same area? I’m so worried.

My anxiety really is getting the better of me; I’ve been trying to work out how I would break the news of the diagnosis to my husband (who knows about the test), family, best friend, other friends, work etc. Getting way ahead of myself, but I just can’t stop.

Hi again.
Our minds can be our own worst enemy at times like this and you do sound really anxious. Do you suffer with anxiety generally? Does your husband know how worried you are? I know my OH sometimes doesnt realise when I'm anxious but if I spell it out to him, he's annoyingly good at putting things in perspective and making me feel a bit more positive.

but I’m terrified that I’ll get a call asking me to come in beforehand

Even if you do get called in earlier it doesn't mean it's bad news. When I had biopsies done on my legs, I had an appointment for 2 weeks later but they phoned me after a few days, said they had the results and made an earlier appointment. It wasn't anything awful, the department just seemed really organised.

Yes, I do suffer with anxiety and health anxiety in particular, but this is a whole other level of worrying. I’m obsessed

Good to hear that your early callback didn’t mean good news, I’ll try to bear that in mind if I do get called in earlier. Thank you for your kind support.

My GPP told me that vulval cancer always apears on the hairless parts and as mine was on the hairy bit it was definitely not cancer. That was years ago and it never returned - it was a small tender spot.

I read that vulval cancer is rare but also easily cured. Good luck with the results.

Yes, I do suffer with anxiety and health anxiety in particular, but this is a whole other level of worrying. I’m obsessed

That sounds tough. But just try to remember that it's your health anxiety making this feel much worse. You haven't been rushed for tests, the doctors so far haven't been overly concerned and this type of cancer is rare. I know it's really hard and I can imagine the 10 day wait will seem very long. Keep talking on here if it helps. But maybe read some random threads to take your mind off it....there's some madness on here lately !

Try and stop thinking about breaking bad news to your family etc, you’re jumping the gun here. We are not even on the racetrack let alone lined up awaiting the starters gun. All will be well. Stop punishing yourself by stressing out. And it’s true that if they do call you in early it may just mean they didn’t have much work on this week and are well organised so don’t jump the gun if that happens too. You need to find ways to take your mind off things. As another poster said, there is plenty to occupy your mind on this site. It’s mental. I’ve learned today that lying to your insurance company doesn’t prevent them providing third party liability insurance to anyone your car injured, even if you’re not the driver. Bizarre, but every day’s a school day! Who knew! There, bet that took your mind off your worries for a few seconds! All will be well. When you catch yourself spiralling just tell yourself “all is well in my world”. (Quote from Louise Hay, her stuff is really inspirational) Take a breath in and centre yourself. It does help.

Thank you both I did manage to take my mind off things for a while this evening, practicing a new hobby which I have to really concentrate on. It did help. But then DH & I had sex and I cried like a baby afterwards what is that about?!

Today is Monday... waiting for the phone to ring. Distraction doesn’t last long.

Strangely, I feel a little less anxious this morning. I think it might be to do with reading your kind messages and reassurance that my thinking is not “real” (iykwim), then sleeping on that, has really helped.

I'm glad to hear you feel a little less anxious. If it flares up again and no doubt it will as that's the awful nature of anxiety, just keep saying to yourself that your brain is making this feel worse than what has actually happened at the moment. I read somewhere that anxiety is like a bully in your head, something that needs to be shut down as much as possible, not something that should be reasoned with and given your time, if that makes sense.

Hope you manage to keep busy today. I'm intrigued what your new hobby is? I'm not feeling great today, just the start of a cold I think, but I'm treating myself to a lazy day. Kids packed off to school, OH at work so I have peace, I'm going to try to find a good book to read.

Sorry to hear you’re not feeling well! Hopefully a lazy day and a chance to rest will stop it developing.

My new hobby is crochet I’m making a blanket... it’s slow going, but I enjoy it and find it really relaxing.

DH is off work today so he’s taken over childcare duties so I can go out for a couple of hours to have some time to myself. Currently sitting in Costa with a coffee and a book

Glad you're getting some peace and quiet

Not the same part of the anatomy, but my DD had what looked like a blood filled lump on her gum. I didn't think much of it, she was only about 12, so was in a complete mess when the dentist said that it looked suspicious and made an urgent referral to the consultant.

Thankfully, she was seen only 4 days later. The consultant, just like yours, said to me that it didn't look like anything to worry about but did a biopsy too. It was fine.

It is very standard to do a biopsy on anything they are not 100% certain is non malignant. It's a test to rule it out, not rule it in. Hopefully your results will come shortly and you'll be able to turn the page. That time in life is horrendous and certainly puts a perspective on the things we moan about every day.

That does sound very stressful, swing. I’m so glad your DD is ok and it was nothing to worry about. Thank you for sharing.

I don’t know if blood blisters is a very accurate description. They’re not like ‘wet’ lumps, iykwim. More like scabs... that look like blood blisters? 🤷‍♀️ Like little lumps of dried blood. Hard to explain. I’ve also been getting random bits of bleeding (well, spotting really) that I’m not sure where it’s coming from.

Hope you managed to relax yesterday with your coffee and a book. And crochet, I know a couple of people who do that as a hobby, I've never tried though.

How are you feeling today?

Hi Mon, thanks for thinking of me. Feeling very up and down today. I keep swinging between a) thinking that everything will be fine and I’m an idiot for getting so upset about it; b) massively worrying and upset; c) thinking along the lines of ‘well I know it’s going to be cancer so I just need to know how bad it is’ ... I don’t know which is worst! I’ve been keeping myself busy doing boring jobs about the house. And trying to avoid Google.

How are you? Hope you’re feeling better and not full of cold.

Hi. Sorry, I didn't see you message yesterday. You are bound to feel a bit up and down when you're so worried. It's normal, just try to keep perspective and keep your mind occupied. Hope you enjoyed your book and coffee in Costa the other day, it's nice when you get time to do something like that when someone else has the children. How old are your children?

I am now full of a cold, feeling rotten like my head is going to explode. One of my kids has kindly passed it to me.🙄 The joys of children ! I'm working at home today, just for a few hours, all I want to do is sleep.

Take care.

another lazy day for you, I hope!

My DC are 20 months and 5 months, so have got my hands full. The older is a little unwell so we had a rough night, but hopefully lots of cuddles and a day on the sofa will make it all ok.

Ah, lovely ages, although I imagine they keep you busy. Its horrible when they get ill, especially when they're so little. But the cuddles you get when they're feeling under the weather are the best. I hope a day on the sofa does the trick and your little one is feeling better soon.

I feel much better today, thankfully. I'm working at home so at least I don't have to go out in the cold. Heating is on.

I hope you are feeling ok.

Sorry for delay, we’ve had a lot going on here, and a relative passed away over the weekend. I’m trying not to think about tomorrow, but not very successfully.

Glad you’re feeling better @MonChatEstMagnifique

Vulval cancer is rare and does present like this but because it’s often spotted early and is slow growing it has a really high cure rate.

Oh I have the same blister things, and children of a very similar age. I just assumed it was ‘one of those things’ after pregnancy. Let me know your results. Xx

Thank you @Teddybear45, I know it’s highly unlikely to be that realistically. Doesn’t stop me freaking out though! I’ve decided that once I’ve got the all clear results, I’m going to stop being so anxious. Easier said than done??

Will update with outcome.

I hope everything is ok! Best of luck.

Hi again.Sorry to hear about your relative. 💐

At least you don't have long to wait now and hopefully the results will be good news. It is easier said than done, to decide to stop being anxious but it's good that you're thinking that way. Maybe see your GP to see if they can refer you on for some treatment for the anxiety. But one thing at a time, get your results first. I'll be thinking of you.

Thanks Mon. My appointment isn’t until the evening... private so have the ‘luxury’ of an out of hours appointment, after the Consultant has done all her NHS clinics. Will update after

Results today. Feel so sick. Had a rough night with the baby and anxiety. Have got no plans today, I know I should try to keep busy, but I’m hoping if I hide under the duvet it will all go away?