Help understanding blood results and tests please

hi a family member has been told she has free fluid in the pouch of Douglas from an ultrasound that then generated a hysterscopy with biopsy, smear and blood test last Monday, she received a call the following day to book her in for a polyp removal 4 days later, on day of the polyp removal she received a call asking her to go in for an urgent CT scan, she couldnt make it that day due to the polyp procedure, which unfortunately was unsuccessful due to her already horrific bleeding, and booked for the Sunday for the ct scan , she received a letter yesterday stating the finding of the free fluid in the pouch of Douglas and that due to high Cea and ca125 bloods which one of these were reading 246? And this is why a ct scan was requested , we've heard nothing since as yet but we are now worried , can someone tell me if these results are of concern? Many thanks in advance 

Parents
  • Hello Jay1010 and thanks for posting, 

    I am sorry to learn about your aunt and can understand that having tests done can create a lot of uncertainty and stress.

    I am not sure exactly when your aunt will be told about the CT scan results, but as she has been seen on the 2 week wait pathway for suspected cancer,  I would have thought she should find out quite soon, by the end of next week or beforehand.

    The free fluid in the pouch of Douglas and the raised Ca125 might be connected but they don't have to be - this probably depends on how much fluid there is. As you know raised CA 125 levels in the blood aren't only caused by cancer and small amounts of fluid in the pouch of Douglas can be normal, but it sounds like overall with the bleeding, polyp and possible other things we don't know about, the doctors need more detail from the CT scan to be sure what is the matter. 

    I expect these CT scan results will give the doctors a better picture and hopefully you will know more soon, I am not sure that you can find out much else for the moment.  Waiting is seldom easy but try and keep an open mind for now until you know what the doctors think. 

    Give us a call if you want to talk anything over,  our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are around from 9-5, weekdays. 

    Best wishes,

    Julia

  • Hi not sure if anybody would know but as my auntie has to go into hospital for a discussion this coming Monday as requested by the hospital yesterday and knowing hospitals are strict with only the patient attending appointments, are they allowing patients to take another person with then into these discussion appointments? As feel that she shouldn't be going in on her own

    thankyou

    jane 

Reply
  • Hi not sure if anybody would know but as my auntie has to go into hospital for a discussion this coming Monday as requested by the hospital yesterday and knowing hospitals are strict with only the patient attending appointments, are they allowing patients to take another person with then into these discussion appointments? As feel that she shouldn't be going in on her own

    thankyou

    jane 

Children
  • Hi Jane, 

    Our nurses won't be back in the office until Monday but if you or your auntie get in touch with the hospital they should be able to let you know what their rules are about having someone in attendance.

    I hope you're able to get some answers and wish your auntie all the best with her appointment.

    If you or your auntie would like to speak with one of our nurses they will be available from 9a.m on Monday on 0808 800 4040 .

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hello Jane, and thanks for posting.

    As our moderator Steph has said it is best to contact the hospital where the appointment is. At the moment things are happening a bit differently in each hospital or trust so it is very much a local decision about outpatient appointments rather than a national one, so it would be difficult for us to know whats happening near you. 

    I'm aware that her appointment is now today, so hopefully you have this sorted.

    Take care, and if there's anything else you want to talk through do contact the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040, and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Sarah.

  • Thank you for your reply 

     we attended today for the discussion and I was allowed to go in with my auntie, unfortunately she has been told she has womb cancer and they have seen a mass on the ct scan, she has been booked in for a MRI scan this Wednesday and then back to the consultant on the 25th to discuss as he needs the MRI to decide how he will operate after they have had a MDT meeting, if there is a mass then full surgery and if a simple cyst then key hole, hysterectomy removing  the womb, ovaries and lymph nodes, she has been told she will need chemotherapy and radiotherapy after, we are in a state of shock tbh, we were given the Macmillion information booklets on the cancer and care etc but my aunt has refused to take them home and read them, I've got these now and have been trying to fully inform myself of what's to come but my aunt is burying her head in the sand, it's very difficult as she's the full time carer for my grandma who turn 100  in January ... how long from the next discussion with the consultant would the operation take place and when would chemotherapy start? 
    thanks 

    jane 

  • Hello Jane and thank you for the update about your aunt,  

    I am very sorry to learn what the consultant has said and can understand that this has come as a shock. 

    There are cancer waiting time targets in the NHS which you can read about on our website at this link , but I can't be sure exactly which date your aunt will be given for her operation. There is a 31 day target from what is called the decision to treat date which is usually after the MDT has recommended a treatment, the clock starts from the day the patient agrees to have it. Some people may have surgery sooner, but the target is to have it within 31 days from then.

    Chemotherapy can't usually start until everything has healed up after surgery, so possibly about 4-6 weeks afterwards, but again I can't be exact. 

    Everyone processes news like this differently and some of us are a step ahead of others for a while until they catch up.  This is inevitably a stressful time as there is uncertainty to cope with which isn't easy. I hope that the consultant can provide more information on the 25th and clarify what the timescales will be for your aunt's treatment. 

    Call us if you want to talk anything over and feel free to pass our number on if you want to.   The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the best, 

    Julia