I Have A Surgical Appointment This Friday

If anyone has had or is undergoing treatment for endometrial cancer I am interested in any information regarding treatment and side effects, staging etc.  I have been newly diagnosed with a grade I cancer, the doctor believes it is in a very early stage.  Part of the surgery is a complete hysterectomy, and removal of the lymph nodes in the groin.  I am wondering if there are any other methods to stage this cancer other than removal of all the lymph nodes, I don't see a problem with the hysterectomy( uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, & cervix). If anyone has had a similar experience, please respond.

Finches 

On 4/24/2007 Finches wrote:

If anyone has had or is undergoing treatment for endometrial cancer I am interested in any information regarding treatment and side effects, staging etc.  I have been newly diagnosed with a grade I cancer, the doctor believes it is in a very early stage.  Part of the surgery is a complete hysterectomy, and removal of the lymph nodes in the groin.  I am wondering if there are any other methods to stage this cancer other than removal of all the lymph nodes, I don't see a problem with the hysterectomy( uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, & cervix). If anyone has had a similar experience, please respond.

Finches 

 

Dear Finches,

I was in your position about a year and a half ago, stage 1 endometrial cancer.  During surgery it was discovered that the tumor had grown between the wallls of the uterus,  I came out of surgery with a stage IIIC,  my 1 and a half centermeter tumor had become 7 c, the only reason that it wasn't a stage 4 was due to the cancer not affecting the bladder.  I had several lymph nodes that were positive in different areas including areas up to the aortic channel.  I underwent radiation and chemo, I was hesitant of the chemo but since my cancel was not a clear cell cancel it was explained that I would need something systemic in case some cells had broken loose.  The type of cell that I have is shaped like a spiral, if one breaks loose it can travel the blood stream and attach to another organ, therefore my cancer is never in remission.   I am doing well and plan each day at a time;  its so important to learn from the experience, life is precious, don't sweat the small stuff.

I hope this finds you recouperating well and in good spirits, attitude is so important.

Let me know if I can do anything, take care!

Sylvia 

I was diagnosed on Monday with endometrial cancer and today I had an appointment with a gynecological oncologist.  My OB/GYN called me yesterday to say that the ultrasound showed that it had not yet moved into my ovaries.  I think that I was more grateful to hear that than any news that I've ever had.  But when I spoke with the oncologist today he told me that there was no assurance of that or that it had not spread until surgery.  I have  some serious hyperplasia, and 2 ovarian cycts...one OB/GYN doctor told me that he thought that the large one was 4 cm. I'm going to have surgery in 3 weeks and have everything removed...including my lymph nodes and my appendix because he said that cancer can "hide" in there.  He said that we''re going to assume that it's Stage 1 until then.  I really like the fact that my oncologist is very direct and up front and very qualified, but this problem began when an endocrinologist who was treating me for a thyroid problem put me on straight estrogen for a year and a half with no progesterone, so I'm vey gun-shy.

In general, I'm feeling very positive and hopeful that this is the situation (that it's contained)and I do have alot of faith (I'm married to a minister and that's a huge plus!)  My concern is this:  Sylvia, after reading your response, I was really shocked  at what happened to you and how your diagnosis stage I jumped to a stage IIIA once you had surgery.  Do you, or anyone else, know if this is a common occurence or more of an exception?  

In general, I'm feeling very positive and hopeful that this is the situation (that it's contained)and I do have alot of faith (I'm married to a minister and that's a huge plus!)  My concern is this:  Sylvia, after reading your response, I was really shocked  at what happened to you and how your diagnosis stage I jumped to a stage IIIA once you had surgery.  Do you, or anyone else, know if this is a common occurence or more of an exception?  

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Beth 

On 5/11/2007 Prickly wrote:

 

On 4/24/2007 Finches wrote:

If anyone has had or is undergoing treatment for endometrial cancer I am interested in any information regarding treatment and side effects, staging etc.  I have been newly diagnosed with a grade I cancer, the doctor believes it is in a very early stage.  Part of the surgery is a complete hysterectomy, and removal of the lymph nodes in the groin.  I am wondering if there are any other methods to stage this cancer other than removal of all the lymph nodes, I don't see a problem with the hysterectomy( uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, & cervix). If anyone has had a similar experience, please respond.

Finches 

 

Dear Finches,

I was in your position about a year and a half ago, stage 1 endometrial cancer.  During surgery it was discovered that the tumor had grown between the wallls of the uterus,  I came out of surgery with a stage IIIC,  my 1 and a half centermeter tumor had become 7 c, the only reason that it wasn't a stage 4 was due to the cancer not affecting the bladder.  I had several lymph nodes that were positive in different areas including areas up to the aortic channel.  I underwent radiation and chemo, I was hesitant of the chemo but since my cancel was not a clear cell cancel it was explained that I would need something systemic in case some cells had broken loose.  The type of cell that I have is shaped like a spiral, if one breaks loose it can travel the blood stream and attach to another organ, therefore my cancer is never in remission.   I am doing well and plan each day at a time;  its so important to learn from the experience, life is precious, don't sweat the small stuff.

I hope this finds you recouperating well and in good spirits, attitude is so important.

Let me know if I can do anything, take care!

Sylvia 

 

 

Hi Beth,

Let me know how your surgery went, hopefully this finds you in good spriits.

You asked whether it's common to find a difference in staging after surgery.  I was told since the tumor was hidden between the walls of the tumor it could not be fully detected by the ultrasound or scan, only the nucleus would show since it's the larger portion of the tumor.  I'm happy to report that I'm doing well, watch what I eat and attend my 3 month oncology and obstetrics oncology visits.  I've decided to have my ct scans only once a year now since the tumors have to be a centimeter to be detected.  I've had some fall out from the radiation, mostly the brachetherapy (internal radiation) but nothing that can't be tolerated.

I wish you well, keep us posted.

Sylvia