Symptoms: Hyperplasia versus cancer

dervishgal · New User Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 4

Hi everyone,

I'm a complete newbie here and have a question about symptoms - if anyone could give me their perspective I'd much appreciate it.

After a year of ignoring my bizarro periods I've finally gotten around to seeing a gyny and she's sending me off for a pelvic ultrasound. But of course I can't wait until then, so I was wondering whether I could sort out whether I'm just suffering from hyperplasia (fingers crossed) rather than cancer.

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2001 and I'm obese (but have this year had lapband surgery to try and get my weight-down). Anyhow, I've always had wacky periods, but this last year they have gone totally topsy-turvey, heavy, no rhyme or reason to the cycle (anyway from a few days to over a month long, with similar days to month-long breaks) flooding with huge clots coming out. I passed it off as a fibroid that I knew I had, but just this past two periods, the blood itself has changed into being very smelly, dark brown, and watery. This last change has got me concerned.

My question is thus - can the dark brown, watery, smelly blood be also a symptom of hyperplasia, or is that more likely to be a symptom of cancer?

Thanks for your time
Dervishgal

Pixie · Experienced user Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 73

Hi dervishgal,

I can only tell you about my symptoms, like you I have also always had "wacky periods" since I was a teenager. Sometimes I would have one or two a year, I think I even went 2 years without properly bleeding. About 6 months ago I started bleeding constantly, sometimes just a pink color and other times great big clots.

I knew it was not right but thought this was normal for me and put off getting it seen to until it was nearly too late.

A far as I know, the pelvic ultrasound will only show how much blood is in the womb, you need a biopsy to check for any cancerous cells.

I never experienced having dark brown, watery, smelly blood but I presume that's just ols blood comming out.

Take care of yourself and get it checked out Laughing

_________________
Endometrial Adenocarcinoma FIGO stage 1b, Grade 2. Diagnosed September 2009. Hysterectomy followed by 4 sessions of Brachytherapy.

rmaureen · Moderator Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 337

Hi dervishgal,

Welcome to the forum. I concur with Pixie, I think you need something more substantial than an ultrasound. Ultrasounds did not detect cancer raging in my body--it did detect cysts and fibroids--but not cancer.

I went on Google and found a this according to Merck:

A vaginal discharge is considered abnormal if it is

* Heavier than usual
* Thicker than usual
* Puslike
* White and clumpy (like cottage cheese)
* Grayish, greenish, yellowish, or blood-tinged
* Foul- or fishy-smelling
* Accompanied by itching, burning, a rash, or soreness

*The article continues by listing some possible causes:
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch242/ch242b.html

I am not trying to alarm you, but push for better testing. Time matters if it is something very serious, but even still, you need relief from those symptoms.

Rhonda
_________________
Diagnosed Sept. 2005
Stage III-C Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Grade 2
My Story:
http://fierytrial.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/my-diagnosis

dervishgal · New User Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks Rhonda and Pixie,
You're right of course. I suspect my gyny wanted to get the ultrasound to look at the fibroid (although it turns out I have two) and then I am guessing she will do a biopsy at the next consultation - I'll certainly be pushing for it, as at the ultrasound exam the technician said my lining was a bit thick and looked cystic (which when I googled it, is a symptom of both hyperplasia and cancer).
I'm sort of in a 'holding pattern' at the moment. Not sure what to think. I know that even if it is 'just' hyperplasia I might be looking at surgery *sigh*. Seems I want one thing and God wants another when it comes to family planning.

Pixie · Experienced user Joined: 15 Sep 2009 Posts: 73

Waiting is the worst part. At least when you get a diagnosis (even if it's a bad one) you know where you are and can get on with treatments.

I hope for you the outcome is good Very Happy

_________________
Endometrial Adenocarcinoma FIGO stage 1b, Grade 2. Diagnosed September 2009. Hysterectomy followed by 4 sessions of Brachytherapy.

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