New Member With Questions

Hi! My name is Kathy and I am hoping someone might be able to answer some questions I have in reference to possible uterine cancer. I had heavy perimenopausal bleeding with my periods from 2002 to 2005. My gyno  biopsied me each year and the tests and Paps always came back negative. He did note in 2002 that my uterus was enlarged which he said could be related to my weight and borderline high blood pressure.

The past few years the bleeding has been normal and my periods are now about 3 months apart. However, I had an abnormal Pap for the 1st time in my life last year, but the gyno said it was not of concern as it was probably hormonal as I enter menopause.

I went for my annual Pap this week and he scared me by asking me (after the exam) if 'I would be upset' if he ordered an ultrasound. He pointed out he had not done one since 2002 and wanted to see if my uterus had enlarged any. I was caught off guard and didn't question this request except to ask 'what if the uterus has enlarged since 2002?' His response is what scared me as he said 'then it could either be fibroid tumors or a bad tumor." I said 'a bad tumor as opposed to a regular tumor?' and he just shook his head.

I am now scared that he felt something during the exam and it is a huge, terminal tumor he is looking for on the ultrasound! My logical side is saying he meant cancer when he said 'a bad tumor' -not necesarily a terminal and huge one.

My questions are: has anyone had a similar experience? Why would he wait 6 years and suddenly decide he wanted to check the size of my uterus again? And when he noted the uterus was enlarged in 2002 should he have been monitoring it with ultrasounds yearly in case something did develop?

I would appreciate any words of wisdom anyone can share. My ultrasound isn't for another week and I can't get his words off my mind!

Thank you!

On 3/28/2008 Greenkat wrote:

Hi! My name is Kathy and I am hoping someone might be able to answer some questions I have in reference to possible uterine cancer. I had heavy perimenopausal bleeding with my periods from 2002 to 2005. My gyno  biopsied me each year and the tests and Paps always came back negative. He did note in 2002 that my uterus was enlarged which he said could be related to my weight and borderline high blood pressure.

The past few years the bleeding has been normal and my periods are now about 3 months apart. However, I had an abnormal Pap for the 1st time in my life last year, but the gyno said it was not of concern as it was probably hormonal as I enter menopause.

I went for my annual Pap this week and he scared me by asking me (after the exam) if 'I would be upset' if he ordered an ultrasound. He pointed out he had not done one since 2002 and wanted to see if my uterus had enlarged any. I was caught off guard and didn't question this request except to ask 'what if the uterus has enlarged since 2002?' His response is what scared me as he said 'then it could either be fibroid tumors or a bad tumor." I said 'a bad tumor as opposed to a regular tumor?' and he just shook his head.

I am now scared that he felt something during the exam and it is a huge, terminal tumor he is looking for on the ultrasound! My logical side is saying he meant cancer when he said 'a bad tumor' -not necesarily a terminal and huge one.

My questions are: has anyone had a similar experience? Why would he wait 6 years and suddenly decide he wanted to check the size of my uterus again? And when he noted the uterus was enlarged in 2002 should he have been monitoring it with ultrasounds yearly in case something did develop?

I would appreciate any words of wisdom anyone can share. My ultrasound isn't for another week and I can't get his words off my mind!

Thank you!

Hi

Some doctors need shooting for their bed side manner, i had a similar experience a few years ago, I could feel a lump in my stomach and eventually went to see about it, the Dr said to me 'havent you felt this lump'.

All i could focus on was the word lump, I had myself dead and buried, it turned out to be fibroids which are generally harmless, and i am pleased to say after a hystorectomy i am fine, my dr also said that he had recorded a bulky womb when i had my daughter which i didn't know about. try not to worry as you seem to have all the signs of fibroids,

when you go back tell him how he frightened you.

Good luck

Norma