HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Could MRI scan results mean my colitis has turned cancerous?!?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/17/2011 10:27 AM (GMT 0)

Hello all,

How are you keeping. I havent posted in a long while! Was busy enjoying my pregnancy after the first initially worries and scares if you can remember!! Thank you all for being so helpful and supportive!

I gave birth naturally to a baby girl on the 2/May she weighed in at 8lb 11, which was a surprise. Shes a healthy, happy baby may god keep her that way and i love her to bits!

Since her birth my colitis has been under control and im symptom free, joint wise too! However before i fell pregnant i got some MRI scans done to check my pelvis and possibility of AVN. Thank goodness results came back ok. However my concern was the scan picked up on a prominent thick walled sigmoid and a small volume of mesentric lymph nodes (2-3mm) visualised within the pelvis. So there is alot going on near there.

My worry is the obvious! Being pregnant i couldnt get a colonscopy and didnt want to risk putting my baby through any complications. I have one booked for the 26th of August. But i cant seem to function, not sleeping or eating well dreading results come back with the 'C' word!

My question to you all is, has anyone had similar MRI scans and it just being caused by a flare/inflammation. What do you think those observations mean?

I know i wont know what it all is untill i get the results. And although i know what advice i'd give someone else in my position its hard to take it myself. Ive not had a colonoscopy since 2003, and worry i've developed something nasty.

Posted 7/17/2011 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
Was diagnosed in 2003! symptoms started late 2002. (signature error)
Posted 7/17/2011 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mia....I haven't had that experience, but I think you need to do a LOT of research and make a list of questions as to what it all means, the measurements, what tests would be required, blood testing, etc.

I would definitely think cancer in myself because that's just what my mind does, but the research and more research, notes, questions to the doc, etc will help focus that worry.

Since you do have a lot going in that area, much to do with inflammation, I would think that the probability of the lymph nodes reaction would be in conjunction with that.

Did you have any blood tests that would match the lymph node increase in size?

Would pregnancy have an effect on them as well?

Hang tough...I can relate to the scariness of it when PSC was first presented to me. I cried for 3 weeks thinking my life was over. But the research helped me propose questions and I ultimately made a decision to NOT go forth with the ERCP.

quincy xx
Posted 7/17/2011 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Did you ask the doctor who did your MRI if those results could be indicative of a flare/inflammation? If you didn't have a chance to, could you possibly call and ask them or call your GI's office? Aug. 26 is a long time to wait for answers...

Good luck and let us know what you find out.
Posted 7/17/2011 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
I just had a 17 day stay in hospital for severe pancolitis, (after 3years of no colitis), and my cat scan showed the same exact lymph nodes swollen. They went away tho when the inflammation went down as shown with a cat scan a week later. Lymph nodes swell all the time and alot of times people don't realize it. it is most likely nothing to worry about. I agree with quincy tho and make sure you stay on top of it with getting tests/blood, etc just like you have to be on top of everything while having colitis.

Vin.
Posted 7/18/2011 9:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the replies they are much appreciated!

The scan results were the onset of a very negative start to my pregnancy. I was adament i had cancer and was in a real state. It was a very very testing time for me emotionally and mentally.  A colonscopy wasnt advised the first 3 months and after then i had come to a decison to wait untill after the pregnancy. I didnt want things to get messy and wouldnt have forgiven myself if result came back fine and something had happened to my baby.

Basically i was tested by the rhumetology department, i was suffering in ALOT of severe groin and hip pain hence the scan. On the report it says;

"incidently the sigmoid colon is noted to be somewhat prominent and thickwalled. While it is difficult to confidently assess the bowel in the unprepared status, this might be in keeping with colitis".

The lymph nodes found were visualised within the pelvis, im hoping this was due to the excrutiating hip inflammation i was experiencing. I even opted for a steroid shot which just made the pain worse to be honest.

When I saw my GI he didnt seem to be worried, and said that it could be to do with the flare i was experiencing which was ongoing at the time. He wasnt keen on me getting a colonoscopy while pregnant. But my OB said that if i really wanted it done then i could do it.

To be honest im now in a situation where i dont feel unwell, and torn between wanting to know and not wanting to know. Since booking the colonoscopy im crying constantly as i am really dredding the worst!! As its been my gut feeling all along that those result mean i have cancer.

Since giving birth i have had routine bloods done and everything is within range apart from my ESR which is 27 no way near as high as it usually is. And my platelets are high which was a concern when i was pregnant currently 554.

I have called up the nurse and left a message to try and bring the appointment forward. But honestly if things god forbidden are on the bad side, i really dont know what i will do with that information. Really sometimes ignorance is bliss!

I hate this darn disease and everything else that has come with it!! I pray everyday my daughter is protected from it! Im the only one in my entire family to ever have something like this. I just hope it stays that way.

Thanks again quincy, sara14 and vin.xxx This forum really is the best! As much as im lucky to be well supported and surrounded by loved ones its not the same as talking to people which similar issues!

Posted 7/18/2011 11:09 AM (GMT 0)
Just to update you my scope has been brought forward to this Thursday. I am really bricking it, well i literally will be when i start the prep!

Please keep me in your thoughts, praying for the best news possible!!

Posted 7/18/2011 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
Mia,

It's good you were able to move your colonscopy up to Thursday.

Good luck with it, and I will definitely keep you in my prayers.

Let us know what happens.

Posted 7/18/2011 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Mia, I am sorry you are having to deal with this so soon after giving birth. I bet these results are related to your UC. Your UC can be active even when you are symptom free. I wish you the best of luck. I had a colonoscopy 8 week after my son was born - not fun.
Posted 7/18/2011 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for your good wishes!

Im just dredding the results, i hope all this panick and worry will have a positive and happy outcome.

Thatfield your right its not the best of timing but i've left it long enough while being pregnant. Time to bite the bullet, just hope after it all this comes good news and i can continue enjoying motherhood and not be faced with any other horrible dilemmas!

 

Posted 7/18/2011 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I think having the scope NOW is the best possible move to finally relieve you of extreme increasing anxiety over the next month. That's a good thing.

You have to realise ignorance only serves a purpose for a short time...actually denial is what replaces it.
It ultimately doesn't change what's going on anyway, and you will never stop thinking about it...so best to bite the bullet as you say.

Always have copies of all your results so that your research formulates questions to get you answers you can deal with. Making decisions based on information is better than avoiding in denial.

Are you usually awake (nicely stoned) during the scope or asleep?

Ask for the doc to speak to you after your awake if at all possible, or to give the nurse info so that she can write it down as per the visuals. Request an appointment to speak with the doc when your results come in rather than just getting info over the phone. This is just my opinion, because it's easier to ask questions face to face and make further treatment/testing plans for the future.

Hang tough, we do understand the fears you're going through.

q xx
Posted 7/18/2011 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you got your appt. moved up. Try not to worry too much until you know anything for sure. Have fun with the prep...heh heh. :)
Posted 7/19/2011 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! What a healthy size she was, too. Sorry that you have such worry over the past MRI results-- those tests can register things that really are no big deal. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for assessing the condition of the colon, and since it's a very intrusive procedure, you did right by your baby to put it off while pregnant. Try to think positively now that you got the scope date moved up. Soon it will be over and you'll get the clarification you need to relax & enjoy your family. All best wishes! / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 7/19/2011 8:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Old Hat im praying that the outcome is a positive one! As the day creeps closer i finding it harder and harder to anticipate my nerves!

x

Posted 7/22/2011 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
Just wondering how your scope went. Hope it was good news.
Posted 7/22/2011 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
bump....hope all went well.
q
Posted 7/25/2011 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hello there!
Thank you all for your well wishes!

As you all know i had the scope done on thursday, was awake through it all and got to see everything. A polyp was found at my splenic flexure so just where the colon bends around. There is active inflammation present from my rectum up untill the hepatic flexure. So im now back on the sulphasalazine again to calm things down. As i came off meds for about 4 months to breastfeed.
My GI took biopsies of each part of the colon and and sent those off along with a biopsy of the polyp to be tested in the labs.
After the scope my GI came out to discuss what he saw and gave me a mini report. Basically he said that there are different types of polyps and that the one he saw looked like a inflammatory one. However to be sure he said it needs to be tested. In terms of the MRI he has said all along the thick walled sigmoid represents the inflammation present. The lymph node must corespond with that along with excrutiaitng inflammation i had in my pelvis area at the time.

I got a call today from my GI nurse and results have come back. The polyp is benign and is in keeping with a inflammatory polyp, and the biopsies of my colon all just show active UC. My GI is away on holiday for 3 weeks so im booked in for a chat in a months time.

So glad it was nothing sinister, i was going crazy with worry. Now i can focus on my baby, get back on my meds and just get back to 'normal'.

Thank you all for your support, i really appreciate it!
Posted 7/25/2011 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hello there!

Thank you all for your well wishes!

As you all know i had the scope done on thursday, was awake through it all and got to see everything. A polyp was found at my splenic flexure so just where the colon bends around. There is active inflammation present from my rectum up untill the hepatic flexure. So im now back on the sulphasalazine again to calm things down. As i came off meds for about 4 months to breastfeed.


My GI took biopsies of each part of the colon and and sent those off along with a biopsy of the polyp to be tested in the labs.
After the scope my GI came out to discuss what he saw and gave me a mini report. Basically he said that there are different types of polyps and that the one he saw looked like a inflammatory one. However to be sure he said it needs to be tested. In terms of the MRI he has said all along the thick walled sigmoid represents the inflammation present. The lymph node must corespond with that along with excrutiaitng inflammation i had in my pelvis area at the time.

I got a call today from my GI nurse and results have come back. The polyp is benign and is in keeping with a inflammatory polyp, and the biopsies of my colon all just show active UC. My GI is away on holiday for 3 weeks so im booked in for a chat in a months time.

So glad it was nothing sinister, i was going crazy with worry. Now i can focus on my baby, get back on my meds and just get back to 'normal'.

Thank you all for your support, i really appreciate it!

Posted 7/25/2011 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad it turned out this way - as you said you can now be at ease and enjoy your baby!
Posted 7/25/2011 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Cool experience to be awake, isn't it?

I'm amazed at the quick results, good thing the polyp is benign. The oral meds should help that too once the inflammation has receded.

What about rectal meds as well?

Are you using probiotics and fibre supplements too?

Thanks for the update!

q
Posted 7/26/2011 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
Being awake really is. This was my first time i got to see everything, be alert and ask questions while the camera was still inside me. I would do it the same way next time!
I live in UK and results take 2-3 days. I had the scope brought forward because my GI saw how worried i was.

My inflammation is getting better already the sulfasalazine has been quite effective since i started it last year. I have taken rectal meds before too, but thats usually when im bleeding with mucus.
I have to to say i havent tried fibre supplements its something i've been wanting to look into, can you recommend any particular brands. It can be a little different over here but im sure i can find something.

Thanks for the support, glad i didnt wait until the 26th i would have gone out of my mind!
Posted 7/26/2011 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, that's the only way I do my scopes...nicely "stoned"..and seeing the best show!

You really need to use the enemas again...NOW. Waiting till bleeding just means it's more active with worse inflammation.

Rectal meds...I cannot stress that enough!!!!

q

Posted 7/26/2011 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
So glad to read that you got thru the scope very well. Hopefully the sulfasalazine will continue to work for you; there are several older female members in the U.S. posting here who have benefitted over many yrs from taking it. You may know that one needs to supplement folic acid daily while on it; if not, it would be a good idea to discuss that with your doctor. All best wishes & enjoy your little daughter! / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply