Mum who discovered she had cancerous cyst while pregnant with twins reunites with doctors to thank them for saving her life
A mum who was carrying twins when doctors discovered a cancerous cyst is being reunited with the NHS staff who found the cancer and helped deliver her 'miracle' boys safely, and said their expertise, and her pregnancy saved her life.
Lucy Miles was attending a routine scan at Queen's Hospital Burton to determine how far along she was in her pregnancy when Sonographer Rachel Hine made the surprise discovery that Lucy was expecting twins and also seemed to have a small cyst in her ovary.
After some initial blood tests which came back clear, doctors decided to keep an eye on the cyst as Lucy's pregnancy progressed and her 12-week scan showed no significant growth. However, at Lucy's 20 week scan the cyst was 15cm, the same size as a small ruler.
Lucy said: "The consultant gave me options and one of those options was to remove the cyst, but I didn’t want to take that risk and put the boys in danger. I was so nervous I would go into pre-term labour and they wouldn’t survive. I didn’t want for it to be my fault and I wanted to give them as much chance as possible so I chose to keep going and the boys kept growingly amazingly, but unfortunately so did the cyst."
Lucy, who is 28, said: "It was scary but the positivity of the staff at the hospital kept me going. I wouldn’t have gotten through it without the team at Burton they were incredible from start to finish and I trusted them completely. I put mine and my boys' lives in their hands and they did everything they could to care for us and keep us safe."
On 28 February 2023, Ronnie and Reuben were born and were cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where they required some support with feeding and breathing.
Lucy said: "I was just so happy it went well, and the team were able to get my boys here safe and remove the cancerous cyst."
After returning home with her boys to meet their big sister Isla, Lucy received a call asking her to return to the hospital. Subsequent tests on the cyst after it was removed showed that it was cancerous, and it was actually a Grade 1 mucinous carcinoma which was confined to the ovary. The diagnosis is one the team would not have been able to make whilst Lucy was pregnant, and they are pleased they were able to remove the cyst during Lucy's planned caesarean section.
Lucy said: "It was a shock because cancer hadn’t even crossed my mind. But the doctors assured me it was an early ovarian cancer, and it was removed successfully so I just feel very grateful.
"It is quite rare to have ovarian cancer at my age so in some ways I feel like this pregnancy saved my life. My boys are such miracles. Not only have they saved my life but there was a strong chance they wouldn’t make it and they are here happy and healthy.
"Because of the amazing doctors and nurses in Burton's maternity department, NICU, gynaecology and theatres, I am here, I am alive and I have got my beautiful boys. I will never be able to thank them enough."
Dr Nicole Pope, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, worked alongside Consultant James Hollingworth to perform Lucy's caesarean section.
Dr Pope said: "Lucy's case is rare. The cyst was diagnosed during an early scan, and it grew. We knew there was a risk of miscarriage with removal which Lucy didn't want to take so we reviewed her case and her scans and worked with Lucy to make plans to remove the cyst during the Lucy's caesarean section, which we were able to do.
"After analysing the cyst it was found to be cancerous so Lucy had another procedure to confirm there was no cancer left and she is now well.
"This pregnancy potentially saved her life and I am delighted we were able to listen to Lucy's wishes and safely deliver her babies and give her the additional treatment and reassurance she needed."
Results from a recent biopsy came back clear and Lucy will continue to be monitored by the oncology team for the next three years.