biopsy the myometrium layer?

Can an endometrial biopsy check out the "muscle" layer of the uterus? If my US showed a cystic myometrium (sp?) will the biopsy be able to see those cells?

Thx again!
Christi

I would say probably not... They usually just scrape the endometrial layer when they do a d&C... they might go a bit deeper with the biopsy, but I don't know how far in they would go. But with today's technology, they may be able to target those cells.

I was told a biopsy is only of your endometrial lining. They can have you get a MRI and CAT Scan to take a look at the muscle of your uterus to see if any cancer is present. True pathology and staging, as it was explained to me, cannot be done until they remove your uterus.

Hi, looking at the ultrasound report you posted previously, I don't see mention of cystic myometrium, just cystic spaces within the endometrium which could be adenomyosis, fibroids or polyps, all of which I have plus a cystic space within the myometrium, Have you had another ultrasound which says the cystic space is within the myometrium?

I am now consulting with a gyn/onc (once I get appointment!) because 4 yrs after my ablation my uterine lining is almost 10mm thick ( should be 2-3 mm) and I am finally in menopause Before that, although my lining has been consistently high for that last 4 yrs, it could always be put down to the fact I wasn't actually in menopause( on the cusp but not quite) and maybe the ablation had failed.

Unfortunately just over wk ago I had a D&C with hysteroscopy which also turned out to be a waste of time, as the gynecologist could not dilate the cervix even after 40 mins of trying. So now I have no alternation to a hysterectomy to rule out cancer. I am hoping its is just signs of degenerating adenomyosis but I also aware I am a typical candidate for EC as I am obese, type II diabetes with cholesterol issues and started my periods when I was just 10.

You seem to have done all the right things, ultrasound and biospy. Your lining doesn't seem to be outwith the norm and you say that you have had 2 c-section, so the cystic spaces could be adenomyosis. You could have a D&C with hysteroscopy which would look at your uterus and is better way of examing the lining than a biopsy. However, if you have adenomyosis, the only way at the moment to deal with this is to have hysterectomy. When I had my ablation I didn't know I had adenomyosis. If I had known, I would have probably had a hysterectomy instead, because although I was 48 at the time, no-one knows when menopause will really happen.

Good luck with the journey we women seem to have endure but as you can see from this site, even if it is the worse news (no-one wants to hear the word cancer) most cases are resolved quickly with a hysterectomy and it is not the end of the world. :hug

Thank you all for the information.

I did have another US and it says the myometrium and endometrial layers were cystic. In my first report it didn't mention the myometrium. I am going back in next week. I will see what they say. They couldn't get a good look at my ovaries in the last US, so they want me to come in and do another US. They said my bladder wasn't fully emptied and there was gas (how embarasing). OH well...lol

Thanks again.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. May you all be well.

just to say Christils, the doctor didn't seem concerned at all with the cystic space in the myometrium as it was most likely to be adenomyois. Her only concern is the lining which she had hoped to sample via the D&C. Good luck with the next scan. Have you scheduled a D&C with hysteroscopy yet? Apart from a hysterectomy, that is really the only way they can truly assess the uterus and even that depends on the skill of your doctor.

Just want to add re the D&C, in some cases while it may detect precancerous cells, it may not detect cancerous cells or a tumor inside the uterus. Only a hysterectomy which allows dissetion of parts of the uterus can 100% determine if cancer is present. So even if a doctor has impeccable skills, the cancer may not be detected until during or after the hysterectomy.
OTOH, If there are no precancerous cells found during the D&C, this could be another indicator cancer may not be there. Of course if there are precancerous cells this does NOT mean there is cancer either. Your doctor has to take into account all your symptoms, test results, his/her collective experience, etc. to come to a conclusion whether cancer may be present and thus if surgery is needed.
s.

Hi Peggiesue, thanks for adding that. I was trying (but failing) to say, most scans are just a guide that can indicate a problem but the only way, I know, at the moment, despite all our technological advances, is look at the uterus directly. Unfortunately that mostly by hysterectomy but D&Cs are a good back up.

There is so much information out there. I get confused. I try to jump the gun some times . It all makes my head spin Thanks for explaining all the in's and out's (literally) I will just have to be paitient and "wait and see" what the dr's plans are. If they aren't concerned, I guess I shouldn't be. I am sure I sound paraniod.

Back in 2006 I had pericardial effusion and was rushed into surgery where they drained the paricardium and biopsied my heart sac for cancer. Thank goodness it was benign. My CA125 was 157 and they thought perhaps I had Ovarian Cancer. They found fluid, but no cancer/tumors were found (whew!) It was a whirl wind and I was in and out of the hospital for months following that ordeal. It's hard to believe that my heart would react in such a way for no reason. I am healthy now, and thankful for that! Never got an answer as to why it happened, because they just don't know. This is why I am a little jumpy now about things.

I started having periods at the age of 11 and have had regular periods up until about 10 months ago. My bleeding lasted longer and longer that they began running into each other. I had my IUD removed a few weeks ago and have only been spotting. The dr thinks that since my lining was thickening, the IUD was creating it's own Polyp, but isn't sure. That is why she wants to wait and see what the next US shows, and to see how long next period (or heavy bleed) lasts. She also wants to know why my uterus is large and why the uterus is thickening. Depending on what the US says, we will do a hysterscope to see where the bleeding is coming from next. I did not have a D&C yet just an in office endometrial biopsy. She doesn't seem real big on D&C's.

I guess you could say I am now a medical student...lol

Sorry this is so long. Thank you Thank you Thank you for everything.

I can understand your continued concern. When our bodies act differently we want to know why. You are seeing your doctor and she is monitoring thing. IMHO it is good she has not rushed into a hysterectomy. I am not sure if this doc is a gyn or gyn/onc, if not the latter and forgive me if you've alreayd seen one, I'd suggest for better peace of mind that you consult with a gyn/onc.
Like you I had an incident where I was rushed to emergency room actually twice with a suspected heart related problem. It took them over a year of multitude of testing before they concluded they "did not know" what had caused these problems. As time passes and the problem does not surface again we breath more easily. I keep reminding myself we don't often get complete or sometimes even an answer. We are unique individuals and medicine doesn't "know it all;" my favorite doctor, who actually it one of the top expert in US in his field, always notes the latter adding we are working on finding out. This man is brilliant yet very humble and for that I have much respect and trust in him.
May you find answers with further testing and a hysterectomy not be in the future. Again, pls consider the visit to a gyn/onc and keep us posted. I'm sending positive thoughts.