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Growth on outside of sigmoid colon

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/14/2016 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
I had a laparoscopy yesterday to check for a possible GYN source of occasional severe lower left abdominal pain. They didn't find anything too interesting GYN-related, but they did find a nearly two inch long growth of some kind on the outside of my sigmoid colon. He showed me a picture (sorry if TMI) and it's very dark - almost black against the much pinker tissue.

The gyn said he didn't think it was cancer, but he wouldn't biopsy or remove it because it involves my colon and that could "get complicated." He says it "has to come out" - and to prepare myself for a second surgery that might be more involved. He theorized that it might be a fistula or diverticulum. He said to followup asap with my GI and a general surgeon.

I was sort of groggy when he spoke to me and now I'm thinking - wouldn't he know what a fistula or diverticulum looks like? What could this be that so mysterious?

Any ideas?

(Am recovering today - but plan to call my GI tomorrow. He's the one who referred me to the gyn because he didn't think the pain was CD related.)
Posted 7/14/2016 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
No ideas at all, but when you find out what it is, let us know - I'm intrigued.

I'm sorry about needing another surgery though. Hope it goes smoothly and the dark stuff isn't anything serious.
Posted 7/14/2016 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
The only other thing that I can think of is a hemangioma but in relation to the colon I've only heard of them forming inside of it though theoretically it can form any where (I still have remnants of one I was born with). Do let us know how it goes. Hoping it is an uneventful surgery!
Posted 7/14/2016 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks ncot and labradorite -- it will take me awhile I'm sure to get the follow-up appointments..will keep you posted.

Not sure what I'm hoping for :-)
Posted 7/14/2016 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes tumors can grown on the outside of the bowel. I think you should check it out sooner than later.

Hopefully it will be something simple to deal with.
Posted 7/21/2016 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice!

First appt this Friday - but I have a feeling I've got a several tests and specialist consults ahead of me before I really know...

Will keep you posted -
Posted 7/27/2016 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Update after follow up.They are not sure but don't seem to feel it's CD related (not sure whether that's frustrating or reassuring).

Best guess is a "duplication cyst" (just over 3cm) but they won't know until they remove it which they want to do because the dark color indicates bleeding or activity.

The good news is that the surgeon feels she can remove it without touching the actual colon. This method (like an appendectomy she says) will leave a little bit of tissue attached to outside of colon. Just a day surgery.

If pathology comes back malignant, would require a more extensive surgery of course to get a wide margin. But nobody seems to think this is malignant, so they feel it's worth it to do the simple excision first rather than a more extensive colectomy to start. Am relieved.

So, am scheduling for late August. This is a general surgeon working in conjunction with my GI, but I'm still considering getting a second opinion with colo-rectal surgeon. (My GI does not feel this is needed.)

Let me know if anything about this seems familiar - thanks!
Posted 7/27/2016 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Nothing about this is familiar to me in the slightest. Just posting to wish you well and say that I'm glad the growth doesn't appear to be malignant.
Posted 7/28/2016 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
I hope all goes well with the surgery. I know it's so hard to wait! If getting a second opinion would be re-assuring to you, then you should do so.
Posted 8/26/2017 5:54 AM (GMT 0)
Wow - sorry I never closed this loop. Am writing with the diagnosis in case it's helpful to anyone in the future.

After the surgery last September 2016, the growth was evaluated by three different hospital labs and determined to be Endosalpingiosis, an unusual type of endometriosis that is actually fallopian tube tissue that grows elsewhere in the abdominal cavity. I guess it's associated with higher cancer occurrence, thus the three consults on the labs.

My results were benign, thank goodness and the GI could not identify a connection to Crohn's. But, all four doctors involved (GI, Surgeon, GyN, Uro-Gyn - 3 men and a woman) recommended I get a hysterectomy - at least removing my fallopian tubes. I'm 54 so don't need these things for reproduction any more, but I had just had two surgeries and was reluctant to schedule more. I remember was annoyed that they didn't offer me this option when I was already there having the surgery - would have saved me a third procedure.

As of Summer 2017, I've done nothing - but it's in the back of my mind.
At least for now - mystery solved. Not a CD story after all, but perhaps it will be helpful to someone on the forum someday.
Posted 8/27/2017 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Cheers for finishing the story :p
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