DRE by Gynecologist found something and I’m terrified

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GroovyGal702
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:36 pm

DRE by Gynecologist found something and I’m terrified

Postby GroovyGal702 » Wed Aug 01, 2018 2:12 pm

This morning I discovered a small firm lump while adjusting the position of my tampon. Thinking that is where the issue originated I immediately called my GYN and was seen within 30 minutes. She felt the bump and wanted to see if she could locate it’s origin. She performed a DRE and did feel something firm and abnormal, but couldn’t say what it was. I immediately go into panic mode. I have had intermittent rectal bleeding and was told by GP it was hemorrhoids and told to increase fiber. I did and bleeding went away. I’ve also noticed a groove going down the length of my stool these past months and chalked it up to an inflamed hemorrhoid. I was immediately referred to a colorectal surgeon for further evaluation. I’m terrified that I could have a rectal tumor. I just turned 31 years old and I’m looking for some advice and guidance here. My appointment is tomorrow morning and I’m absolutely scared to death that I have cancer.

WarriorSpouse
Posts: 220
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2016 9:02 pm

Re: DRE by Gynecologist found something and I’m terrified

Postby WarriorSpouse » Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:37 pm

Sorry to read that you are not feeling well. Most people here advise to get a colostomy to confirm what is going on inside. If it is something they can deal with on the spot they will, if not they will do a biopsy to see what is going on to come up with a treatment plan.

Lastly, even if things are ok, the best way to know is to have the colonoscopy. Evidence matters in the proper diagnosis of what is going on with you.
I wish you luck in uncovering the good and bad and moving toward a successful solution.
Good Luck!
WS
D/H 47 years old, 10/2014, Stage IV M/CRC, nodes 12/15, para-aortic, 5 cm sigmoid resection, positive Virchow. KRAS mut, MSS, Highly Differentiated, Lynch Neg, 5FU/LV and Avastin 1 YR (Oxi for 5 months), Zeloda/Bev since 01/2016. 02/2019 recurrence para-nodes, back to 5FU/LV Oxy/Bev. It is working again. "...Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other."-Walter Elliot

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: DRE by Gynecologist found something and I’m terrified

Postby NHMike » Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:12 pm

"Most people here advise to get a colostomy to confirm"

WarriorSpouse obviously meant colonoscopy here. That really is the best way to confirm it.

If it is suspicious, then they can do a biopsy and send it out to a pathology lab to determine whether or not it's cancerous.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
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2/19: Clean CT

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3816
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: DRE by Gynecologist found something and I’m terrified

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:32 pm

I'm sorry you're going through this and hope you will be able to get a colonoscopy soon!*hugs*
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

GroovyGal702
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:36 pm

Re: DRE by Gynecologist found something and I’m terrified

Postby GroovyGal702 » Mon Jan 07, 2019 11:21 am

Hello all,

It’s been a few months now and I’m really not satisfied. I’m probably a hypochondriac and my anxiety has been off the charts. I did see a colorectal surgeon and a DRE did show a lump and he was able to do a flexible sigmoidoscopy right then and there. The mucosa looked completely normal and nothing protruding into the bowel was seen so there wasn’t anything to biopsy. Because it was odd he sent me for a pelvic MRI with contrast. The mri report showed sigmoid diverticulosis and no “solid or cystic mass observed corresponding to the one felt”. Basically I have pockets in my colon and no mass. I still don’t understand what it was that may have been felt. The doctor did mention the possibility of endometriosis which would be honestly an ideal case scenario for me. My bleeding was chalked up to the numerous internal hemorrhoids and recurring anal fissure. I’m still worried I have cancer since the groove in my stool is still there.

RoroC
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2019 12:06 am

Re: DRE by Gynecologist found something and I’m terrified

Postby RoroC » Sat Apr 06, 2019 12:10 am

How are you doing? I have groove/indent on my stools too! Any updates?

natelaugh
Posts: 95
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2019 11:40 pm

Re: DRE by Gynecologist found something and I’m terrified

Postby natelaugh » Fri Apr 12, 2019 11:21 am

GroovyGal702 wrote:Hello all,

It’s been a few months now and I’m really not satisfied. I’m probably a hypochondriac and my anxiety has been off the charts. I did see a colorectal surgeon and a DRE did show a lump and he was able to do a flexible sigmoidoscopy right then and there. The mucosa looked completely normal and nothing protruding into the bowel was seen so there wasn’t anything to biopsy. Because it was odd he sent me for a pelvic MRI with contrast. The mri report showed sigmoid diverticulosis and no “solid or cystic mass observed corresponding to the one felt”. Basically I have pockets in my colon and no mass. I still don’t understand what it was that may have been felt. The doctor did mention the possibility of endometriosis which would be honestly an ideal case scenario for me. My bleeding was chalked up to the numerous internal hemorrhoids and recurring anal fissure. I’m still worried I have cancer since the groove in my stool is still there.


Have you done any blood test for CEA level?

Nate.
Caregiver to 80M
DX:CC,RC,desc
11/2018 rightPain
1/19/19 scopy,path
1/23 CTscan
2/19 surgery
2/26-2/28 NGTube
2/28-3/14 TPN bc ileus
3/2 2nd surgeryCloseOpenWound
3/4-3/28 woundVac
size: 6cm Adenocarcinoma
grade Poorly
Stage IIIC T3N2aMx
PositiveLymph:5of28
BaselineCEA:68
LVI:Y
PNI:N
Surgical margins:clear
MSI:MMR (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) Intact nuclear expression
Lynch status:N
Laparascopic, partial colectomy
CEA:3/28/19 2.8
Chemo:4/16/19-9/17/19 5FU,12cycles,every 14days,leucoverin,zofran,Dexamethasone


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