QuestionHi Kristy, thanks so much for your help. I was worried before because the people that were doing the tests would just tell me stuff and I did not really ever know what was going on and I never get to talk to my doctor about anything. So thanks so much for helping clear stuff up for me. I just wanted to also ask you if you know of any reason why the fibroid that the doctor saw when he was doing the hysterosalpingogram did not show up on my ultrasound that I took less than three weeks ago. Could fibroids just pop up like that? Just wondering. Thanks again for all your help.
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi, thanks for your response. I talked to my doctor's receptionist today and she said that the doctor wanted me to do another ultrasound in October after my next period and she also wants me to do the CA-125 blood test. The receptionist also looked at the results of my hysterosalpingogram and read parts of it to me. She said that it was saying stuff like "possible uterine fibroid, patient should get blood pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy since this did not show up in patient's ultrasound done approximately three weeks prior. She said when we did the next ultrasound we could find out if I was pregnant. I told her that I took a home pregnancy test and it was negative. So she said it was probably a fibroid then. Although she said it was pretty strange that the fibroid did not show up on the ultrasound from three weeks ago. So now I have to wait over two weeks to get another test to find out what is going on. I guess if the doctor isn't that worried about it I don't need to be either, right? Also, I was wondering if the CA-125 is just a standard test that they do everytime there is a complex cyst. Thanks for your help.
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I went to my gynecologist because I have having a lot of spotting between my periods and have been trying to get pregnant but nothing has been happening. She ordered some tests. A few weeks ago I had an ultrasound and a 5 cm complex cyst was found. Today I had a hysterosalpingogram and he said my tubes were fine but there was something in my uterus. I asked what could be in there and he kept asking if it was possible I could be pregnant. I said it was possible but I didn't think I was. So he said maybe it was a fibroid. I am worried because before the procedure he said my doctor should have the results in a few days and then at the end he said he was going to give her the results tonight and for me to call her first thing tomorrow. So I am very worried what this could be. I just took a pregnancy test and it was negative so now after looking up things on the Internet, I'm thinking it could be cancer. Also, while I was having the hysterosalpingogram done, my doctor called my cell phone and left a message that they needed me to do another ultrasound but they were leaving and for me to call them tomorrow. So I just don't know what could be going on here.
Answer -
Hi there,
Aww sorry to hear that you are going through this. Unfortuently, it leaves us to think the worst.
Well, you know this could be other things, then cancer. You can have uterine cysts, or fibroids, these are both common conditions with women.
You also could have a miscarried fetus, that for unknown reasons hasnt removed itself. This is rare, but not unheard of.
Ofcourse, you could have a tumour. Its always the first thing we think of when something suspicious is going on with our bodies. But remember, it can be other things as well, and the chances of being something else, is quite significant.
Just keep in mind, that the reason why we have pap smears done yearly, is to detect uterine, and cervical cancer..so as long as you have been having your yearly exams, and they have come back okay, then I think you should be okay.
I am sorry that I dont have one conclusive answer for you. And this is only because as I said, it could be one of several things.
Have the ultra sound done ..and take it from there. I think you are worrying, while they are being thourough with your testing. And I cant say I blame you, because its nerve wracking and the doctors make it worse at times, with their ways of talking about the situation.
If you could write back to me and let me know what the doctor says today, perhaps I can give you more insight. The information is vague, and thats not your fault, you just dont know. But if they anything more to you today, do a follow up and perhaps I can give you more information.
Thanks for writing, and try and stay calm ..okay?
-Kristy
Answer -
Hi Brigette,
Well truth be known, I was more leaning towards a fibroid, if anything. But I really cannot come out and say that, without facts, or by going by what you tell me. I just went by gut feeling, knowing statistics with women who showed symptoms like yours. Basically the results you did get, confirmed exactly what I thought. However, I was in a position where I had to go into different scenarios, and possibilites of all aspects.
And yes, you are right. If they for once, thought you had a malignant tumour (cancer) you get bet your butt, you wouldnt be waiting for your next ultrasound ..you probably would have been under laproscopy by now. So, since they are in no rush, indicates that this isnt a rush, or and extremely serious situation.
And yes, its routine to have a CA125 blood screen done, for all cysts, and fibroids. This blood test measures the antigens in your blood, in the event of a malignancy is found. In simpler terms, they are testing to see if your blood is showing any sign of cancer in the ovaries, or uterus.
Again, please dont let this frighten you. This is ROUTINE. I cannot stress it enough, because I dont want you to be scared. Whenever, a cystic situation is suspected, even if the doctors are almost positive its not cancer, they have to do this test. Its routine. So please done be frightened by this ..okay?
Let me give you a scenario.
And this is a true story.
I had a baby a year ago. I gave birth to my son, by c-section. I have no problems, or any unforseen problems.
So, my son is delivered. After his birth, I requested that I have a tubal done. So, the doctor proceeded, and found a cyst on my right ovary, the size of a grapefruit. It had been there some time. I never had symptoms, and it went undiagosed.
End result. My doctor ended up having to take my right ovary. She said to me, that the cyst was not cancer. She came to this conclusion, just by viewing it.
BUT ..
She had to send it to pathology, to completely exclude the possibility of cancer. She had to send it, because its ROUTINE, when removing any cyst, or growth. Its protocol, and must be done.
Same goes, for the CA125 blood test ..so dont worry, okay?
If you have any more concerns, or questions, dont hesitate to write back ..:)
I am sure, you will be just fine :)
-Kristy
AnswerHi Bridgette :)
Cysts and Fibroids can be very slow growing, or they can grow very rapidly.
So, its very possible that this fibroid you have, was quite small, and went undiagnosed with the first sonogram. It could have just grown rapidly, now making it visible.
Its the same as my situation. Its estimated that the ovarian cyst I had removed had been there atleast 2 years. It was a slow growing cyst, but the moment I got pregnant it just thrived. Still on every single sonogram I had, it went unseen.
When my son was born, it was so big they couldnt cut it out, and they had to remove my entire right ovary. So over a 9 month span, it basically grew 30 times faster, then it did when it developed initially.
So, I gather that could be the reason, yours was missed, as well as other factors. There could have been fluid in the way, or it could have been mistaken for a shadow. It happens all to frequently ..
And I am happy that I was able to help make sense of all this for you ..I know it can be so confusing dealing with medical proffessionals at times. And trying to understand everything, and getting bits a peices of information from different people, can make it so hard to peice together.
But I am sure now, you have a clearer understanding, so that makes me happy :)
If there is anything more I can do, just say the word :)
Thanks for writing :)
-Kristy
