Waiting for biopsy, have a questions...

I agree with Pato about getting a DAnd C. I couldn’t have the other biopsy. My cerviix woulnt open. Prayers for you! You are being proactive so I hope you get some positive answers.

1971, good for you for wanting info and trying not to get too far ahead of yourself.  To answer your Qs:

1. does the biopsy hurt? It is not the DnC one- just the suction one- what can I expect?  My gyn bailed trying to give me a biopsy and went for the D&C.  I am glad she did - I think it was probably a more complete sample.

2. What does the leg and back pain connected to Uterine cancer feel like? Is it sharp and really painful? or could this mild cramping with sometimes shooting pain be connected? could the pressure feeling on my tailbone be connected? Everyone is different - please try not to get too far ahead of yourself.

3. Is swelling connected? my feet and ankles swell often.  Everyone is different - please try not to get too far ahead of yourself.

4. could these sypmtoms also be part of  Hyperplaisia?  Everyone is different - please try not to get too far ahead of yourself.

5. Could my swollen stomach be connected to cancer? Everyone is different - please try not to get too far ahead of yourself.

I will say, if they find you have cancer in the gyn track ask to work with a GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGIST.  You do not want a gyn only - the gyn onc took extra training in this area and, if they keeep up on the changing times, all the better.  There are different types of cancer, believe it or not, they even refer to one as a "typical garden variety type" - what the heck?  

I never even THOUGHT about cancer when I had my D&C - and yet, here I am, 5+ years later.  My advice is take a breath and know that we are here should you need us.

Hello, 1971. My experience with the “regular” endo biopsy was, frankly, excruciating, my post-menopausal cervix was shut tight. I called a halt and scheduled a d&c. Do yourself a favor and go for d&c right off the bat, if possible. They will get a more complete sample and you will know more definitively if you do or do not have cancer.

Good luck, please keep us posted.

I've had three tries at having an endometrial biopsy done – once for what turned out to be a benign polyp many years ago and twice for my current cancer saga. While I don't consider myself to be a total wimp when it comes to pain, in each case I nearly jumped off the table. It felt like an icepick was being shoved into me. None could be completed.

I was happy to have the D&C instead, especially in the most recent case since we learned that my cancer was an aggressive type. That information helped the gynecological oncologist plan pre-surgical steps (CA125 test, CT scan, and colonoscopy) and also directed his approach during surgery.

cmb said:

Also agree with CheeseQueen57 and Mrs. Berry

I've had three tries at having an endometrial biopsy done – once for what turned out to be a benign polyp many years ago and twice for my current cancer saga. While I don't consider myself to be a total wimp when it comes to pain, in each case I nearly jumped off the table. It felt like an icepick was being shoved into me. None could be completed.

I was happy to have the D&C instead, especially in the most recent case since we learned that my cancer was an aggressive type. That information helped the gynecological oncologist plan pre-surgical steps (CA125 test, CT scan, and colonoscopy) and also directed his approach during surgery.

...those biopsies HURT like a MOTHER and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I have a high pain threshold but that one made me holler; they had to stop until I could take my own motrin and Xanax, god forbid they had prepared me. [Yet another reason I hated my first young, female, insensitive gyne/onc.] And, if they don't 'grab' from just the right place, it's all for naught. It's like taking a punch sample out of anything: if the punch instrument doesn't hit just the right spot to locate bad tissue, they just get a bunch of regular tissue. Of course by the time my cancer was discovered it had covered 99%++ of my uterus so there was no problem in identification, but that's another story. If you do proceed with a biopsy, make them give you drugs or at least take your own in advance. 

1971 said:

CMB

Thank you, I hope that being prepared and taking some pain meds before hand will help, I think I have a good pain tolerance - and will be mentally prepared for it hurt, I hope that you are doing okay, for taking the time to answer my questiona! It does sound like the DnC would be the best option! 

I know that some women have had the endometrial biopsies with little or no pain. Unfortunately that wasn't the case for some of us. And as derMaus noted, the sampling has to hit the spot where the tumor is in order to accurately determine what's going on.

In my case, my insurance company wanted me to try the less invasive approach first before they would authorize the D&C. That may be the case with your insurer as well.

You may also want to ask your doctor if using misoprostol before the procedure would be helpful. I did use this before my two D&Cs, but have wondered if I would have had an easier time with the biopsies if I had dilated the cervix beforehand.

As Northwoodsgirl noted, this initial period before you know completely what is going on is very difficult for everyone. Keep us posted on what you learn as testing proceeds.