MRI - AND a CT scan. Rectal bleeding.

[Oatywitch]

My mum has been quickly asked to go for both. Doctor felt a lump on an internal examination. Blood test showed low iron. I’m trying to stay positive - could this just be a polyp/cyst?

I was expecting them to suggest a colonoscopy - I wasn’t expecting CT and an MRI. Would this suggest a high level of concern?

All lumps need to be investigated. I imagine the CT will be a whole torso one, chest, abdomen and pelvis looking for wider issues; the MRI specifically for the rectum.

Both standard.

Hope it all goes okay.

She’s getting a colonoscopy now too. The doctors say she ‘thinks it’s a tumor’.

I’m telling myself that it’s not possible to tell without a proper investigation. Hopefully the doctor has stated this because she wants her to be referred quickly?

She'll be on the 2 week wait pathway so they can do all the investigations and get a diagnosis ASAP.

Sorry you're going through this but the quicker she gets diagnosed, and if it does turn out to be bad news, the quicker she can start treatment.

Thank you so much @Miljea Even though the doctor said tumour - they can be benign, premalignant - or malignant?? I’m glad all three procedures are being done so quickly. This is all for the best outcome.

It is.

I can't lie, the chances are the news won't be great (tho I obviously hope for the best for you!). The issue is degree of spread. By and large, the MRI is the important scan, here. That will dictate the treatment.

I can't cite the statistics, here, because I don't know them!- but the sooner the diagnosis is made, and, if needed, the stage is ascertained, the sooner treatment, if needed, can begin.

Everything crossed!