Cancer Research UK main site

Cervical ectropian but referred as urgent and for biopsies

Natty6
Offline

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me posting but I have myself worried sick and can barely eat due to the anxiety. 

I've had bleeding after intercourse and irregular bleeding in-between periods. Had a big bleed 3 days before I was due on so after having symptoms for months this really scared me, I also started to get alot of pelvic pain. 

I booked into the Dr's and she re checked my cervix she confirmed I have a small ectropian but has referred me as urgent for a colposcipy and biopsies.

I have constant pain in my pelvis and have started with a burning feeling the last couple of weeks, along with lower back pain now too. 

So worried its cervical cancer and that it's spread.  I have two children and am really struggling with the waiting around and not knowing. Seems like alot of symptoms. 

Not sure if anyone has been through this but is it likely a Dr would be able to tell the difference in an ectropian and cervical cancer. 

To anyone going through this, you're all amazing and inspirational I feel like such a failure at the minute as all I can think about is this. Everytime I bleed or have pelvic pain the worry comes back. 

My smears have all been normal and I had a transvaginal ultrasound which found ovarian cysts but this is the 4th time they have come back so I know what to expect with them. 

I've read about so many people having normal smears but then being diagnosed with CC. 

I feel awful and so insensitive worrying about this when people are going through it but with the biopsies etc I can't shake off the feeling, I've known something wasn't right for months. 

 

Thanks so much and sorry for the assignment but if anyone has gone through similar I'd really appreciate any advice please zx 

  • Offline

    Hi, 

    I am going through similar and just wanted to offer my story, hopefully it helps. 

    I went to the GP in October 2020 with irregular bleeding similar to what you describe and intermittent pain on the lower left side. She arranged a smear that week, took swabs to check for infection and referred me to gynaecology under the 2 week wait. 

    The gynaecologist confirmed ectropion. He took a sample of the womb lining and checked the scan for ovarian cysts which were both clear. He seemed a bit stumped, the womb lining was apparently thick but not worryingly so. Basically he said some people do suffer painful cycles.

    When the smear results came back they found HPV but no cell changes. (I've had yearly smears due to HPV presence for the last 3 years.)

    I was sent to colposcopy due to the 3 years of HPV. They identified there were actually CIN3 changes and I had Lletz to remove them. Unfortunately when they were biopsied they also found CGIN cells so I've had a second LLetz which I'm waiting for the results of. 

    I don't think that it would be possible to tell ectropion from irregular or cancerous cells to the naked eye unless they were very advanced. The colposcopy nurse used a substance to make the cells stand out clearly under the microscope.

    So my story seems similar to yours but I'm a little further along with the investigations. I know exactly how you feel an why you are worried but please try to stay positive. If it is just the ectropion that is described as benign and may not need treatment. (Albeit it is very frustrating and worrying.)

    If there is anything more you will be looked after, you're on the right path now. I've had to have treatment but I'm ok and it is all in hand. 

    The waiting is torturous, try to distract yourself, yesterday I baked all afternoon because I called the hospital and they warned my results will be another 2 weeks! 

    I'm sorry that was very very long and maybe some of it irrelevant but you are not alone in this. 

     

  • Offline in reply to Pinbadge

    Hi pinbadge,

     

    Thanks so much for responding so quickly. I appreciate it so much. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through the same thing. Sounds like you've been through alot. 

    It feels like such a long time when you're in the thick of it doesn't it. It's the waiting around and not knowing isn't it. What's CGIN sorry? I've suffered for years with endometriosis and cysts had previous operations but this side of it with the bleeding etc, pelvic pain, lower back pain is all new to me. 

    I'm trying my best to stay present in the moment but then I feel a burning, have a symptom and I'm back to square one

    I really hope the next two weeks flies by for you. Always here if you need a chat. It can be hard for others to understand the worry. My friends keep saying I'm fine and as much as they mean well. It doesn't feel fine when you're bleeding and in pain xxx

     

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.