Not good news at colonoscopy

[HelpIcantfindaname]

I had a colonoscopy today. They couldn't get the scope all the way round as they found a mass & it was in the way.
They said they are very worried about this mass. They want me to have CT & MRI scans as soon as possible.
When my partner came to collect me we had to talk to a specialist nurse. She talked about cancer.
I am trying to stay positive till I get biopsy results & know for definite, but it's hard.
Has anyone else dealt with similar before?
Was your mass cancer? Or something else?
How did you cope?

I didn't want to read and run
My DH had a colonoscopy that found cancer and a CT scan
He had surgery to remove part of his bowel and lymph nodes
Everything cancerous was removed no need for chemo or stoma
3 years later he is still cancer free, but still has 6 monthly blood tests and consultant phone chats
Hugs for you - the waiting can be awful, but I hope for the best for you

Not the same, but I’ve recently had the same thing for masses found on my ovaries. I was rushed through for a CT scan (by some miracle it was the next day), then an appointment with the oncologist for results. It’s terrifying. The moment they brought in the specialist gynae oncology nurses I knew it was serious. I still don’t have an answer for myself (beyond the CT showing there is “only” 2 masses, one on each ovary) and I am also waiting on biopsy results from some abdominal fluid they drained, but am booked in for a total hysterectomy in a few weeks regardless. At 36 that’s not something I had prepared for.

I know how terrifying the wait is, and how lonely and awful it is. Happy to talk via PM if you want to have a moan/rant/chat.

You must be very concerned, but it isn't necessarily cancer. What symptoms did you have to mean a colonoscopy was required?

There are growths called polyps that can be quite large and block the colon. I am not a doctor but I had similar to you. It turned out to be a series of polyps that were actually quite large and they could not remove them all on the first go. Got them on the second try via colonoscopy and I had to wait a while for pathology to see if they were sinister or not. Thankfully they weren't.

I cannot say whether or not you have cancer, no one can. I wonder if they took any samples during the colonoscopy? I wish you well.

Thank you for the replies..

They took biopsies. They didn't mention polyps.

I had changes in bowel habits, pain & bloating after eating & blood in stools.

Similar symptoms to mine really. I had a massive bleed and was very ill. The polyps had bled internally for some reason. I hope that polyps are what you have, and I would maybe contact the specialist nurse to see whether polyps are there or not. Very sorry for your troubles, and I know what the waiting is like, it is just very worrying. No point in me saying not to.

Hopefully the scans will give you more information and if it turns out to be sinister in any way, there are colon groups out there, and plenty of you tubers who seem to have had the worst possible diagnosis and are doing very well now.

If you feel up to it, you might post again to update your situation, as reading many of the posts here helped me enormously at the time. All the best.

FIL had similar, it was a rather large polyp! Even if yours is malignant, there are very effective treatment options
The waiting is incredibly hard, please don’t feel like you’re alone, post on here or reach out to your specialist nurse/the Macmillan support line

I just want to echo what everyone else has said, it could be a number of things and not necessarily cancer, and even if it is there are lots of treatment options. I know how terrifying the wait is, I’ve been through something similar and all turned out to be okay. Hand hold here while you wait 🌸

My mum had this and it was a large polyp. Had to have the biopsy, thought for a while it was going to be very serious but turned out well. Good luck to you.

@HelpIcantfindaname I have ovarian cancer so not the same but I'm familiar with the waiting for a diagnosis, which for me took nearly 3 months from the CT scan with all the faffing about that went on. The waiting truly is the worst part, it's torture, your mind is in overdrive. Once you know what you're dealing with, you will feel better, I didn't believe it but you'll have a treatment plan and feel a little more in control. It may not even be cancer as others have said. Please come over to the cancer support thread on the General Health board, it's full of lovely kind ladies who will hold your hand whilst you wait, we support each other, whatever we're going through. Really wishing you the best outcome Xx.

Hi OP. I’ve had the same symptoms as you, sent of an FIT Friday. GP called to say confirmed large amounts of blood in the stool so I’m on the 2 week pathway for a colonoscopy now. Went through all this with ovarian issues last year and ended up having a full hysterectomy. Can’t believe I’m going through the same thing again in a different area of my body!

Its so worrying but at the moment I’m thinking it could be polyps too… it’s scary. I hope you have a positive outcome X

Just to clarify… I don’t mean I think you have polyps ( obviously I’m not a Dr ) but I’m just telling myself that about my own situation until I get the colonoscopy and the results. Fingers crossed for good news for us both x

Sorry to hear this... What were your symptoms to have the procedure?

My dad had something very similar, they found a huge mass during colonoscopy.

His biopsy showed it was cancer so they whipped it out a week later. It hadn't spread, he didn't need a colostomy bag & is still cancer free (regular check ups).

I can really appreciate how stressful this all is, especially the waiting. But know that even if it is cancerous, recovery odds are good. Hang on in there OP

My nan had years of very sudden, bowel urgency. She only saw the GP when she saw blood- and even then, I suspect it had gone on sometime longer. Age mid 80's- she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in the rectum. She required a loop ileostomy- a stoma bag- for about 6mths to let the intestine heal then it was reversed.

We assumed the worse, but she is still alive age 101 now! Obviously, we don't know your diagnosis OP or the cause of the blockage, but it certainly isn't always the end. I hope you have details of professionals to talk to for support also? If not, speak to Mcmillian or ask the hospital

It seems @StewPots is my medical twin. My red flagged colonoscopy is next week. Massive ovarian cyst and ovaries removed in emergency open surgery last summer. Hadn't thought of polyps for me, assumed hernia (growth wasn't easy to remove and was crushing my internal organs).

Hope all goes well for you both OPs. It's a stressful time but you're not alone 💐

@RaininginDarling oh my, yes very similar! Hope good results for you too!

Fingers crossed OP, I hope this is nothing serious. I was referred onto the 2 week pathway yesterday so am very worried like you.

i’m an ovarian cancer survivor of eight years. It’s the waiting and worrying that’s the worst part but somehow I got through it. I kept busy and did lots of small nice things, like going for coffee and cake, walking in the countryside, seeing lovely friends and family, retail therapy, etc. At one point I had some sleeping tablets from my brilliant GP, who was very supportive. So yes, you will get through it as we find strength we didn’t know we had. 🌻🌻🌻

Thank you for all of your replies.

And to those of you going through similar - I hope you are all ok & get good results.
Sorry, I don't know how to tag you.

I think with 2 bank Holidays coming up I just need to be patient. And try not to stress too much till I know what I'm dealing with. Easier said than done.

Thank you everyone