Mom's Rare Cancer Misdiagnosed as Perimenopause, Anxiety

A 43-year-old mother of three experienced persistent pain, bleeding, and abdominal swelling for months, symptoms doctors initially attributed to perimenopause and anxiety.

Nicola Crymble, a resident of Northern Ireland, shared her experience, stating that medical professionals dismissed her concerns, telling her "it was all in my head." However, unknown to her and her doctors, a rare tumor was growing within her abdomen.

The Onset of Symptoms

Crymble's health issues began after she had a copper IUD, a hormone-free birth control method, inserted. She experienced pain and bleeding, prompting her to have the IUD removed while she was in Kenya for mission work. Upon returning home, the symptoms continued, leading to repeated consultations with doctors who suggested perimenopause and anxiety as the causes.

By December 2024, ten months after the initial symptoms, Crymble's condition had worsened. She reported constant bleeding and significant pain. It was during this time that she discovered a palpable lump in her abdomen, which grew to a size that made it difficult to zip up her jacket. Neighbors and acquaintances mistook her appearance for pregnancy.

Despite her concerns, doctors again dismissed the lump, suggesting it was constipation. However, Crymble felt certain it was something more serious. A subsequent scan revealed a growth near her cervix. Doctors informed her it was likely a cyst and would be removed by Christmas.

Diagnosis and Spread of Cancer

In February 2025, Crymble underwent surgery to remove the mass, opting to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as well. A month later, she received a diagnosis: Female Adnexal Tumor of Probable Wolffian Origin (FATWO). This is an exceptionally rare cancer originating from remnants of the Wolffian duct, a structure typically present during fetal development that usually disappears in females.

Doctors informed Crymble that FATWO is one of the rarest cancers globally, with only 150 documented cases worldwide. Despite the hysterectomy, the cancer had not been entirely eradicated. Shortly before a scheduled six-month scan, Crymble experienced a severe pain under her ribcage. A hospital visit, initially attributed to gas, revealed through further scans that the cancer had spread to her liver and vaginal vault.

Her doctors determined that the growths were too close to vital organs for further surgical intervention. While most FATWO tumors do not spread, Crymble's case is notable for the aggressive behavior of her cancer, making standard treatment insufficient.

Current Treatment and Future Outlook

With surgery no longer an option, Crymble began chemotherapy on October 13, with a planned six rounds of treatment. She has stopped working due to her condition, finding it challenging to manage her health and her role as a mother. She has also cut her hair to cope with potential hair loss during chemotherapy.

Crymble and her husband, Andrew, are actively seeking information about this rare disease and are concerned about securing their daughters' financial future, as their life insurance coverage had lapsed. Her husband expressed the family's desire to raise awareness about the cancer in hopes of connecting with someone who might have knowledge or insights into its treatment.