need help understanding MRI report

madeline, you are right, I am not a doctor and I wouldn't want to begin to tell you something that is inacurate because of my lack of education.  I think these are all great questions for your doctor.  I would ask them to walk you through and explain the entire report.  Perhaps some of the other ladies might know.

 Hello again Madeline:

 My first advice would be the same as those who have written before me.  I do know that if “ascites” were present, it would be defined as such.  My reports often say “no ascites present”.  That’s always a good thing.    So I think you can rule that out.  BluesMama has been helpful, but I would do as she has said, have your oncologist explain all the terms, take notes, write them down as he/she is talking.  And if you don’t understand, just say so.  You need to go home feeling like you know more than when you came.  Now I know that you are in the Canadian health care system, and your doctor’s are assigned to you, but you have been given a date of November 22^nd for your consult.  But I don’t blame you for wanting to understand as much as you can before that meeting.  Do you have a friend who is in the medical field?  Do you know any nurses?  While they will be reticent to say anything definitive about your particular case, they should understand more about the “new words” than you do. After all, they have been trained in that field. 

 Strangely enough, I was just reading about both “Adenomyosis” and “Endometriosis” tonight, and I think the references below will enlighten you a bit more.  These are two references that I found helpful in trying to understand your problem, maybe they will give you even more insight into how Endometriosis behaves. 

 We’ll be remembering you on that date.  And try as hard as you can, to find things to divert your attention away from the temptation to live in a constant state of worry.  We’re having some beautiful weather here.  Leaves are turning into shades of gold and red.  I have a grandson that lives in Michigan and he says that it is already turning cold there, so since you’re his neighbor, perhaps it’s already “coat weather” for you.  Try to find something that you enjoy doing right now, and DO IT!  I know the temptation to let worry rob us of today’s blessings, but time is precious, so pick out something you’ve just wanted to do, and do it.  You’re doing all you can for right now.  So try to balance “worry” out with some “positive thoughts” as well. I have to take my own advice.  When I start to figure out the future, and I haven’t even lived to next week and back, the Lord says, “Hey Loretta, get back to today.  It has enough problems.  Why worry about next week.  Only I’ve been there and only I know what it holds for you.”  And He brings me back to the day He has given me which is only one day at a time.  Life’s much more peaceful when I don’t try to delve into the world of the unknown and sink into the worry pit.  That’s an ever-present temptation but it can only lead to despair, so spare yourself some worries, and find something good about today, because really it’s the only day we have. 

 Will be praying for you especially on the 22^nd.  So make your list, and then lay it aside, and wait for the answers on that day.

 Love Loretta

 Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV

 P.S.  I would suggest you print out all of Reference #2.  There is a PDF booklet on Endometriosis that you can print out.  It is very helpful.  And I always find Mayo Clinic to be a “user friendly” site for a basic understanding of any given condition. 

 1.   http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adenomyosis/basics/definition/con-20024740

 “Definition

 Adenomyosis (ad-uh-no-my-O-sis) occurs when endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, exists within and grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. The displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — thickening, breaking down and bleeding — during each menstrual cycle. An enlarged uterus and painful, heavy periods can result.

 Symptoms most often start late in the childbearing years after having children.

 The cause of adenomyosis remains unknown, but the disease typically disappears after menopause. For women who experience severe discomfort from adenomyosis, certain treatments can help, but hysterectomy is the only cure…”

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  2.   https://www.asrm.org/BOOKLET_Endometriosis/

 “…Endometriosis is a common condition that affects women during the reproductive years. It occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrium) attaches to organs in the pelvis and begins to grow. This displaced endometrial tissue causes irritation in the pelvis that may lead to pain and infertility…

 Experts do not know why some women develop endometriosis. During each menstrual period, most of the uterine lining and blood is shed through the cervix and into the vagina. However, some of this tissue enters the pelvis through the fallopian tubes. Women who develop endometriosis simply may be unable to clear the pelvis of these cells.

 Early endometriotic implants look like small, flat patches, blebs, or flecks sprinkled on the pelvic surface. The flecks can be clear, white, brown, red, black, or blue. The severity and course of endometriosis is highly unpredictable. Some women may have a few endometriosis implants on the surface of the pelvis, the peritoneum, or pelvic organs, or they may invade the peritoneum and grow as nodules. Endometriosis may grow on the surface of the ovary as implants or invade the ovary and develop a blood-filled cyst called an endometrioma, or a “chocolate cyst.” Chocolate cysts are so named because over time the blood they contain darkens to a deep reddish-brown color. These cysts may be as small as a pea or grow to be larger than a grapefruit. Endometriosis may irritate surrounding tissue and produce internal scar tissue called adhesions. These adhesions can bind the pelvic organs together, cover them entirely, or involve nearby intestines. The adhesions may keep fallopian tubes from picking up the egg from the ovary during ovulation. Endometriosis also may grow into the walls of the intestine or into tissue between the vagina and the rectum…”

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3.   http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/side-effects/fluid-abdomen-or-ascites

 “Fluid in the Abdomen or Ascites

 Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 08/2015

 Ascites is the buildup of fluid in the space surrounding  the organs in the abdomen. When ascites is caused by cancer doctors call it malignant ascites. Malignant ascites is most common in people with the following cancers:

•  Breast cancer

• Colon cancer

• Gastrointestinal tract cancers, such as stomach and intestinal cancers

• Ovarian cancer

• Pancreatic cancer

• Uterine cancer

  Symptoms of ascites

  Ascites often causes a lot of discomfort. People with ascites may experience the following symptoms:

•  Weight gain

• Shortness of breath or dyspnea

• Abdominal swelling

• Sense of fullness or bloating

• Sense of heaviness

• Indigestion

• Nausea or vomiting

• Changes to the belly button

• Hemorrhoids, which causes painful swelling near the anus

• Ankle swelling

• Fatigue

• Decreased appetite…”

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