Can someone help? - Cancer: Colon Message Board

RAG · 08-28-2002, 04:16 PM

Hi.
Okay, some background. For the past several months, I've been peeing a lot...it's like my bladder never totally empties and I end up having to go quite frequently. I went to a urologist and while doing an ultrasound of my bladder, she said the bladder is being pushed to the left. She felt around my stomach and felt a suspicious area in my right abdomen. On top of these symptoms, I'm quite anemic. My dad had colon cancer so there is a history. I am only 31, though. Does any of this sound like it could be colon cancer and I have some tumor pushing against my bladder? I'm going in for a CT scan soon but I was wondering if anyone could give me some thoughts in advance. Thanks.

Jay Tor · 08-30-2002, 01:34 PM

Some possibilities:

a) Bladder/kidney infection and the pushed-aside bladder may just be an oddity and have nothing to do with your bladder problem.

b) Prolapsed uterus - the uterus is no longer correctly supported and therefore drops on and interferes with the bladder. Some women have a 'tilted' uterus [the tilt can be along any of the 3 axes] or a 'bicornute' [two-horned] uterus. After childbirth, because the uterus doesn't always shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size, these shapes may cause some trouble.

c) Ovarian cysts - this should have shown up on the ultrasound. Ovarian cysts can sometimes grow to the size of grapefruit. Men have a smiliar problem when an enlarged prostate interferes with the plumbing.

d) Inflamed and/or encysted appendix - in a very small number of people the appendix may develop a 'pin-point leak' and for some reason the body manages to prevent damage to itself by producing scar tissue around the leak as well as the entire appendix. Because of this, the rest of the organs in that vicinity tend to get pushed away/out of position.

e) Neoplasm [small growth of undifferentiated cells/tissue] on the exterior wall of the intestine - usually benign but if large can interfere with the function of internal organs.

f) Muscle weakness within the bladder itself - Kegel exercises can sometimes help strengthen these muscles, while there are meds to help reduce the urine output.

There are probably many other non-cancerous possibilities and that you have two or more ongoing conditions. Good luck on your tests.

Uterine prolapse: [url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001508.htm"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001508.htm[/url]

Colon cancer: [url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000262.htm"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000262.htm[/url]

RAG · 08-31-2002, 11:20 AM

Wow, Jay Tor, you are wonderful for sharing all that knowledge. Well, I got the CT results and I have an enlarged asymmetrical uterus and cystic lesions on my ovaries. Do you have any knowledge on that stuff? I have to schedule a pelvic ultrasound but I'm hoping someone can tell me if I should jump to the cancer conclusion or what? Anyway, thanks for the info. you did have...

Jay Tor · 09-01-2002, 03:21 PM

Suggest you link to the MedLinePlus articles I originally posted. Hope you read the prolapsed uterus article because this article does touch on differently shaped uteri. You can also look up ovarian cysts at this site. BTW - there is a strong statistical relationship between ovarian and breast cysts. This would be something else for you to read up on and possibly discuss with your doctor.

I'm not a doctor. Pls keep in mind that only your doctor can tell you what you have. In general, doctors will treat you for the likeliest problem [diagnosis]. If the problem does not resolve, then they will explore the next likeliest diagnosis. BTW, a cancer diagnosis typically requires a biopsy although SOME cancers can be detected using special blood/DNA tests.

RAG · 09-01-2002, 05:07 PM

Thanks again for your help. I actually mistyped the exact diagnosis (I'd just learned of it and was a little on the emotional side to pay attention). It's an asymetrical mass in my uterus and the uterus is enlarged...then there's the cystic lesions on the ovaries to boot. And, the anemia. I just wonder if all of these things in combination make my prognosis worse. I can't do anything about it until after Labor Day, though, but I will certainly read all the info. you've suggested as I believe educating myself will ultimately help. Thanks!