Urgent referral after ultrasound - trying not to worry

Hi there,

Following a transvaginal ultrasound on the weekend my GP called to tell me that she was making a 'fast-track' 2 week referral to the gynaecologist (they've now also called and I've got an appointment Wednesday next week). It's knocked me for six a bit and although I'm thankful that the wait isn't too long it feels like forever and I'm finding it tough, knowing that the 2 week referral can be because cancer is a possibility.

I've been getting symptoms (spotting and a bit of pain in my pelvic area) for around 6 months and in October had the most excruciating period pains and heavy bleeding, which has happened every month but one since. I knew something was up as that's not normal for me, so saw the doc in Feb, who referred me for the ultrasound. I'd convinced myself that my symptoms pointed to endometriosis, so when the ultrasound technician mentioned that I'd be referred to a gynaecologist to talk to me about my uterus lining, and she seemed surprised that I hadn't been experiencing symptoms for longer, I figured that maybe it was endo.

Then I got the call from my GP yesterday to say that the ultrasound showed thickened uterus lining and said she was making an urgent referral to gynaecologist, where they may do MRI or hysteroscopy. She mentioned a one-stop shop, not sure what that means? She then mentioned something about that they may find it's fibroids or polyps, but that they need to rule out cancer too. It was the secretary who called to book me in for the gynae appointment, and she said I'd be sent a letter with more info, so I guess that may give me a better idea of what tests they might do and what will happen at the appointment? 

Tried to talk to my mum about it to relieve my worries but she lives a long way away and is quite matter of fact about medical issues (she had problems with fibroids and had to have a hysterectomy, so has been through similar), which I do appreciate but I felt I wanted to be able to talk her about it more. 

Sorry for long post, would really love to hear from anyone who's been through/ going through similar. Just reading other's posts has been a big help.

Liz

  • Hi Bethza27. Welcome to the forum.

    I should mention I have no personal experience of gyne problems because I have a different set of equipment! 

    It's a bit alarming when you get sent on a two week "urgent" referral.  However, the reality is that GPs are encouraged to use these pathways when someone meets particular criteria. The idea is to catch any cancer as quickly as possible, but statistically only 1 in 10 of these "urgent" referrals turn out to have cancer once all the tests are completed. I personally have been sent on three of them.

     When you go for the first appointment, you'll be assessed and a series of tests decided. In practice, everybody who is referred usually gets the full gamut of tests, so you'll probably get an MRI, plus a few others. Don't be alarmed, you're not being selected for special treatment. When the first test (or first battery of tests) have been done, you'll be called for a follow up, and don't be surprised if further tests are scheduled. Again, don't be too concerned, since they are as much to rule cancer out as to rule it in. So while this is obviously a worrying time, try not to be too worried. Your doctor is being ultra cautious.

    Now let me tell you about the three urgent referrals I've had.  One was when my irritable bowel flared up and I had repeated attacks of diverticulitis. I was urgently referred for a colonoscopy, which proved to be clear. 

    Another was quite recent when I was urgently referred to ENT for a persistent sore throat. Over a period of a few weeks, I had a nasal endoscopy, an MRI, then finally a "panendoscopy" with biopsies under general anaesthetic. All clear.

    Finally, I was referred to urology for suspected prostate cancer because my PSA was slightly raised.  I was given an initial assessment and a cautious wait and see, with the proviso that I would be monitored and have regular hospital appointments. These appointments were every 3 months, and my PSA never settled down and never rose above 4.9.  Sometimes it would be a little higher, sometimes a little lower. Then, after two and half years, it suddenly rose. Now I was given a biopsy and MRI to check for prostate cancer. It was found, and as you might expect, it was very early stage. I had surgery to remove the prostate, and I haven't needed any follow up treatment. 

    So my personal experience is that these pathways have ruled out cancer twice, and on the third time found it very early so that I could have treatment in good time. 

  • Hi telemando, Thanks so much for replying, it's helped to put my mind more at rest. It keeps running away with me so it's good to be able to rein it back in! That's good to get an idea of what might happen at the appointment. My GP didn't give me a great deal of info so I'm hoping that the letter from the hospital will tell me a bit more once it arrives. A friend suggested it's a good idea to take someone with me to the appointment, although if it's going to be more tests I'm not sure if I need to? Thanks again for replying, and I'm glad to hear that in your experience the pathways worked well and that when they did find something they caught and treated it quickly.
  • Hi Bethza27.

    If you have someone who can go with you, then I would take them with you. 

  • Hi Bethza

    Dont know your age but in my case I was fast tracked because of my age and symptoms.

    Please try not to worry as it can be other thing as your GP mentioned.  Its good that you are being seen quickly because you dont want to carry on with the symptoms you have.  Dont know about the one stop shop but after my ultrasound I was sent for an MRI scan and then couple of weeks later for a hysteroscopy without having to go back to the GP.  I was then seen by a consultant at the hospital for the results, so all done quickly.

    Keep us updated. River

     

  • Hi Bethzar27,

    I was also referred on the two week pathway, Drs do this under NICE guidelines, not because they think necessarily you have Cancer, but because they want to rule it out. If they think it’s Overian they will also do blood tests as there is a marker for this. They may well refer you for a CT scan too.

    i know it’s a scary time. Try to take one day at a time and definitely take someone with you. It’s not so scary with company! You should be given the name of a nurse practitioner or similar who will be your point of contact. Call them if you need clarification, they will tell you if you need information and don’t think you know what happens next. You may well forget; I certainly did! Nothing wrong with asking again :) 

    Good Luck :) 

  • Hi River & Julia62, Thanks very much for replying, it's so reassuring to hear from people who've gone through it. I'm 36 so don't think they fast tracked because of my age. I got the letter through from the hospital today and they've included a leaflet about outpatient hysteroscopy so very likely they'll do that at the appointment. I've read that it can be painful for some women but I'll grin and bear it as just want to know what's going on in there. My sister is going to come to the appointment with me, which will help a lot
  • Hi bethza28

    I'm in the same boat as you, although my GP hasn't referred me for an urgent 2 week gynaecology appointment. I have a scan next week because I have a rather large mass that you can feel on my left ovary ... I've also had extreme pain, irregular periods, bloating, bleeding between periods and after sex /bleeding after... Haven't been able to eat either, I've lost a lot of weight because of it over the last 6 months . Terrified off going to the doctor about it .

    I'm also trying not to panic, as I'm 30 and have 4 children under 10. It's hard to "not" panic and think the worst in these situations I guess.

    I really hope everything goes well as can be for you, please do keep us updated? X

  • Hi Samilou87,

    Yes, it's so hard not to panic and a day feels like an age. Your symptoms do sound similar and l can totally sympathise as it's so unpleasant and draining. 

    That's good that you're booked in for a scan and will get some answers soon hopefully :-) 

    I'll keep you updated. Let me know how you get on too x

  • Bethza27 

    I will

    Sending healing and caring thoughts your way for whatever comes next for you x

  • Hi I am glad to have found this site, I am sitting at my desk with my mind going everywhere. I work for the NHS so know a bit too much for my own good. I had an internal U/S Monday (2 dyas ago) & got a call from GP surgery saying he wants to see today as my results are back & I need an urgent apointment with Gynae.

    I asked was it as two week wait as I deal with them every day & he said it was. In 2014 they found a thikcening on the back of my womb but said it was ok & for the last two years I have been going to GP saying something was wrong, I get major period pains that keep me off work & I'm 64 now.

    I also have a Hiatus Hernia that causes problems. Earlier this yeasr I was so worried he sent me for the CA125 test for Overian Cancer as I have lost 2 cousins to Cancer in the Gynae area but the test came back within the Markers & now this so it must be my womb, my mind is racing so any advice would be great. Thank you.