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janaes
janaes Member Posts: 799 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

Hi I'm glad to find this forum.  I had Hodgkins Disease 23 years ago and thought I was in the clear.  Really i got on with my life.  About a month and a half ago I had a biopsy because the doctors found a cyst that had grown in a month time.  The byopsy showed I had uterine cancer.  Two weeks later I was in the hospital having a hyserectomy.  I am currently recovering from my surgery and waiting to know what treatments  are best for me.  I was diagnoced with stage 2 utirine cancer.  Im at peace some of the time as I wait but other times i get depressed and worried about my future.  Its hard to let thing go.  I want so much to hang onto my current life.I hope to find others from this forum that might help me feel comfortable with what is require of me as I go forword.

Comments

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    #2
    Janaes, welcome.

    I am so glad that you have found us.  I read your post on another thread.  You say that you were diagnosed with Stage 2 uterine cancer.  Have you gotten copies of your pathology report from the surgery?  That should include not only the stage but the grade of your cancer as well as the type of cancer.  All have a bearing on what kind of treatment might be called for after surgery.  As you move forward through this, be sure to get copies of all scan reports, bloodwork, and pathology for your records.  They will also come in handy should you seek a second or third opinion.

    It is not all that unusual for members of your medical team to disagree about what treatments might be best.  I myself went through that as far as radiation goes.  It does point out that there are different opinions within the medical community on how best to handle certain cancers.

    I know it's hard not to be depressed and worried, but if you look around this board, you will see that there are many women who were diagnosed with Stage 3 and 4 cancers who are doing very well and living full and wonderful lives.  There is no reason you cannot be among them.

    Hope you are healing well from surgery and building your strength up for whatever treatment plan you and your doctors decide upon.

    Peace and strength,

    Chris

     

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,811 Member
    #3
    Janaes, I'm glad you found us

    Janaes, I'm glad you found us as well. You will find lots of advice, opinions, support and love here.

    I agree with everything Chris said.

    You are part of the way there already having had your surgery!  Once you know what kind of cancer and develop your treatment plan, things will get easier to deal with. Having a plan in place and executing to it will ease your mind. It is the unknown and waiting from this diagnosis that is the hardest.

    Please come back with any questions. And, let us know your next steps.

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    #4
    Building your strength

    Hi Janaes, I agree with everything that Cindi and Chris stated. You have come to the right place and we will be with you along your journey as long as you need us. At this juncture, just focus on healing and building your strength. Your life can return to normal - maybe it'll be a "new" normal - but normal nonetheless.

    If you don't have one already, you should seek out a gynecological-oncologist. They are the experts in this type of cancer and will know the most up-to-date treatments and guidelines. Once you find one that you like and trust, you may even start to feel like you have a little control back in your life. 

    Remember that this is a marathon that you're embarking on and not a sprint. Take it slow and steady. Treat yourself with love and compassion. You deserve it.

    Wishing you strength and peace, Kim

     

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,678 Member
    #5
    Welcome

    Janaes, you are going to be so glad you found this group.

    Kvdyson, love the marathon/ sprint analogy.

  • janaes
    janaes Member Posts: 799 Member
    #6
    Kvdyson said:

    Building your strength

    Hi Janaes, I agree with everything that Cindi and Chris stated. You have come to the right place and we will be with you along your journey as long as you need us. At this juncture, just focus on healing and building your strength. Your life can return to normal - maybe it'll be a "new" normal - but normal nonetheless.

    If you don't have one already, you should seek out a gynecological-oncologist. They are the experts in this type of cancer and will know the most up-to-date treatments and guidelines. Once you find one that you like and trust, you may even start to feel like you have a little control back in your life. 

    Remember that this is a marathon that you're embarking on and not a sprint. Take it slow and steady. Treat yourself with love and compassion. You deserve it.

    Wishing you strength and peace, Kim

     

    Thank you for your replies,

    Thank you for your replies, love and encouragement.  It is so nice not to be alone in this stuff.  Its so hard because so many dont understand my feelings and how hard things are especially my family at times.  I love them dearly but i have feelings the y dont understand.  Kydson, you said something that I though about.  You told me to get a gynoclogical oncoligist.  I have one and along with my gynocoligist he did my surgery.  When I went to see him a coulple weeks after surgery he told me I wouldnt need chemotherapy and just some internal radiation.  I was excited about that and did feel like since he was the gynocalogical oncoligist I could trust him.  I like him too.  He just makes me feel comfortable when I am around him. I feel at ease when i am with him.  I went and saw my radiation oncoligist last week.  He answered all my question and listened to me intently.  He respected  the Gynoclogical oncoligists opionon but didnt nessasaraly agree with him.  He told me what the differences of internal and external radiation are.  Of cource since I have had radiation before I new how that was.  That is part of my problem i dont know quite who to trust.  Im glad  he was willing to call my gynocalogical oncoligist and in a way am axious to here back.  Thanks again for all three of your comments and love.

  • BabyCoach
    BabyCoach Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2016 #7
    You have found the

    RIGHT PLACE! Sad we all have to meet under duress but we are happy you found us. You will learn a lot here. Back posts still retain a lot of value so scroll through for what you may need. All of us have been in your hot seat and can relate to all of your feelings - low ones and the high ones. We'll take them all.  NOT knowing what is ahead sometimes the hardest part. You will know soon. My advice is to keep in mind that a second (or third) opinion is a normal and totally accepted part of the process. Get the information you need to Take the steps that you are convinced are right for you.  

    We are all on your team!!

    Mary Ann

  • janaes
    janaes Member Posts: 799 Member
    #8
    termanology

    Thanks BabyCoach.  I have been reading others comments about the grade and they have been more specific to what kind of utrine cancer.  There is alot of terms I am tring to understand.  When I went and saw my radiation oncoligist last week i thought I had the name of my cancer in my head but when I  went to right it down in my post I couldnt remember all the other terms that went with my stage two cancer.  Can any one help me with some of the terms associated with stage to uterine cancer.  Maybe they are associated with the other stages too.  Im not sure.  Could use some help.  Im trying to read my pathology report aand its confusing to me.

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 789
    edited June 2016 #9
    janaes said:

    termanology

    Thanks BabyCoach.  I have been reading others comments about the grade and they have been more specific to what kind of utrine cancer.  There is alot of terms I am tring to understand.  When I went and saw my radiation oncoligist last week i thought I had the name of my cancer in my head but when I  went to right it down in my post I couldnt remember all the other terms that went with my stage two cancer.  Can any one help me with some of the terms associated with stage to uterine cancer.  Maybe they are associated with the other stages too.  Im not sure.  Could use some help.  Im trying to read my pathology report aand its confusing to me.

    Types of uterine cancers

    Hi Janaes, below is a list of different uterine cancers that I found online. It may not be complete but hopefully it helps you get started as you read your pathology report. Kim

    ********

    Endometrioid adenocarcinoma: This type of uterine cancer forms in the glandular cells of the uterine lining. It accounts for as much as 75 percent of all uterine cancers. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma is commonly detected early and has a high cure rate.

    Clear cell adenocarcinoma: About 5 percent of uterine cancers are of this type, which is primarily diagnosed in women who were exposed in utero to an estrogen drug known as diethylstilbestrol (DES). From 1938 to 1971, DES was prescribed to some pregnant women to prevent miscarriage. The female children of women exposed to DES have an increased risk of rare types of uterine, cervical, and vaginal cancers. This form of adenocarcinoma tends to recur (come back after treatment) or metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body.

    Serous adenocarcinoma: These tumors are more likely to spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. About 10 percent of uterine cancers diagnosed are of this type.

    Adenosquamous carcinoma: This rare form of uterine cancer has elements of both adenocarcinoma and carcinoma of the squamous cells that line the outer surface of the uterus.

    Carcinosarcoma: This rare form of uterine cancer was previously thought to be a type of uterine sarcoma. However, it is now felt to be a uterine (endometrial) cancer. It has elements of both adenocarcinoma and sarcoma. These tumors have a high risk of spreading to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

    Uterine serous carcinoma (USC), also known as uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) and uterine serous adenocarcinoma, is a rare form of endometrial cancer that typically arises in postmenopausal women. Unlike the more common low-grade endometrioid adenocarcinoma, USC does not develop from endometrial hyperplasia and is not hormone-sensitive. It arises in the setting of endometrial atrophy and is classified as a type II endometrial cancer.

     

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
    Kvdyson said:

    Types of uterine cancers

    Hi Janaes, below is a list of different uterine cancers that I found online. It may not be complete but hopefully it helps you get started as you read your pathology report. Kim

    ********

    Endometrioid adenocarcinoma: This type of uterine cancer forms in the glandular cells of the uterine lining. It accounts for as much as 75 percent of all uterine cancers. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma is commonly detected early and has a high cure rate.

    Clear cell adenocarcinoma: About 5 percent of uterine cancers are of this type, which is primarily diagnosed in women who were exposed in utero to an estrogen drug known as diethylstilbestrol (DES). From 1938 to 1971, DES was prescribed to some pregnant women to prevent miscarriage. The female children of women exposed to DES have an increased risk of rare types of uterine, cervical, and vaginal cancers. This form of adenocarcinoma tends to recur (come back after treatment) or metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body.

    Serous adenocarcinoma: These tumors are more likely to spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body. About 10 percent of uterine cancers diagnosed are of this type.

    Adenosquamous carcinoma: This rare form of uterine cancer has elements of both adenocarcinoma and carcinoma of the squamous cells that line the outer surface of the uterus.

    Carcinosarcoma: This rare form of uterine cancer was previously thought to be a type of uterine sarcoma. However, it is now felt to be a uterine (endometrial) cancer. It has elements of both adenocarcinoma and sarcoma. These tumors have a high risk of spreading to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

    Uterine serous carcinoma (USC), also known as uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) and uterine serous adenocarcinoma, is a rare form of endometrial cancer that typically arises in postmenopausal women. Unlike the more common low-grade endometrioid adenocarcinoma, USC does not develop from endometrial hyperplasia and is not hormone-sensitive. It arises in the setting of endometrial atrophy and is classified as a type II endometrial cancer.

     

    What's the difference between UPSC & serous adenocarcinoma?

    I was wondering what the difference between UPSC & serous adenocarcinoma is given that they are both serous cells?  I'm classified as endometrial although I have a mix of 75% endometrial and 25% serous.  When I asked my doctor, he said anytime serous is diagnosed, they treat it as all serous.  Thanks for the info.  Hugs Nancy

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #11
    Nancy, they are the same disease

    Serous endometrial adenocarcinoma is the same disease as Uterine Papillary Serous carcinoma.  it sounds like you were diagnosed with 75% endometriod (another type of endometrial Ca) and 25% serous.  If you are diagnosed with 10% or more serous cancer than it is treated as serous cancer alone. 

    Endometriod cancer can be graded 1 through 3, with grade 3 being the most aggressive form of the cancer.

    I hope this helps,

    Cathy

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