Poll - Who Had Ovaries Removed?

markatger

Hello Ladies,

I was wondering if you could help me out, by sharing whether or not you had your ovaries removed after your colon cancer diagnosis.

I had rectal cancer and received the standard radiation for that. I am very likely in permanent menopause at age 34. Before my rectal surgery last year, I decided to keep my ovaries in the off chance that they might regain some function. Also the radiation and regular oncologist both didn't think it was necessary to remove them...However one of the surgeons did recommend it.

I now am having second thoughts about my decision to keep them. I recently have come across a couple stories of women whose colon cancer metastasised to their ovaries and also a women in a support group I attend had hers taken out during her colon surgery.

What factors helped you to decide to remove or keep your ovaries?

Does anyone know of data showing risk of colon cancer metastasizing to the ovaries. I have heard conflicting reports on this.

Thanks much!
Maria

KathiM

Me! Me! Pick me!
Total hyster during bowel resect...but I'm 50, so I hadn't used those organs for...humm....over 20 years...hehehe.
Also, my mom had endometrial cancer, and mine was squamous cell...same type as in that area. I didn't want to take a chance, I was peri-menopausal before this whole mess started, anyway.
My beau, who is a fertility specialist, put it very short and sweet...my eggs were already dust...uncaring brute (sob, sob). (hehehehe)
Hugs,
Kathi

Susanbm

Maria, my surgeon asked me just prior to wheeling me into surgery about my ovaries and he said that if they looked okay he would rather not take them out since they were functioning. One turned out to have a benign cyst so he removed it but left the other one. It threw me into menopause! I too, am now worried that my cc might come back in the other ovary and wished he would have taken them both out. My gyn says not to worry but like you, I can't help but wonder...

Betsydoglover

Hi Maria -

No one even suggested to me having my ovaries removed - you guys are scaring me!

I had my colon tumor removed last June and that's all.

I cant help you with your decision, but I am sure wondering if this is an option that should have been proposed to me and plan to ask my oncologist when I see her in two weeks.

Betsy

tkd3g

Hi Maria,
I had rectal cancer at age 43. Both my radiation oncologist and surgeon spoke to use about the ovaries.

My decision to take them out, along with my tubes was based on the fact that the large amount of radiation would have "fried" them up. ( sorry) I was pretty sure I was done with having children, and I figured it would be one less place that cancer could settle.

So I am ovary, tube, 95% rectum and cancer free!

So why am I heavier now without all those body parts?

Barb

JoyceCanada

When I spoke to my radiologist he did mention that there was every probabilitiy that I would be infertile after treatment. Since I'm 60 I didn't get too upset with this prognosis.

On a more serious note I wonder why the surgeon didn't just get rid of these organs?

It never entered my mind that colon cancer can met to the overies...it wouldn't have caused me any problems to just remove them for safety.

markatger

Thanks Gals for your all your quick, informative (and humorful) responses so far!

I just got back from seeing my oncologist. (By the way, got PET scan result - NED!!) He said a couple things...There are some women who may have more risk of colon and ovarian cancer link based on genetics. Also, he said even without a genetic disposition, that it is a possible site for metastasis.

I'm having my ileostomy reversed in May. I'm considering having the ovaries taken out then. I guess the only thing holding me back is the miniscule chance that they could produce some amount of estrogen that I very much need at age 34.

Betsy and anyone else, sorry! I don't mean to cause alarm...When I originally asked the doctors about this it was because I had rectal cancer that had broken throught the bowel wall. I was concerned about the proximity to my reproductive organs. My oncologist said then that it was by no means standard procedure to remove women's ovaries when they have a colon cancer diagnosis. But on the other hand my liver surgeon seemed to highly recomend that I have it done. Who do you trust? I made the decision to use the oncologist advice since he IS the cancer doctor.. and also people told me jokingly that surgeons are too eager to cut stuff out of you...HA! (I think my liver surgeon was excellent though).

I think I may need to talk to gynecologist about the chance of my ovaries functioning at all ever again.

Thanks ladies!
Maria

chynabear

markatger said:

Thanks Gals for your all your quick, informative (and humorful) responses so far!

I just got back from seeing my oncologist. (By the way, got PET scan result - NED!!) He said a couple things...There are some women who may have more risk of colon and ovarian cancer link based on genetics. Also, he said even without a genetic disposition, that it is a possible site for metastasis.

I'm having my ileostomy reversed in May. I'm considering having the ovaries taken out then. I guess the only thing holding me back is the miniscule chance that they could produce some amount of estrogen that I very much need at age 34.

Betsy and anyone else, sorry! I don't mean to cause alarm...When I originally asked the doctors about this it was because I had rectal cancer that had broken throught the bowel wall. I was concerned about the proximity to my reproductive organs. My oncologist said then that it was by no means standard procedure to remove women's ovaries when they have a colon cancer diagnosis. But on the other hand my liver surgeon seemed to highly recomend that I have it done. Who do you trust? I made the decision to use the oncologist advice since he IS the cancer doctor.. and also people told me jokingly that surgeons are too eager to cut stuff out of you...HA! (I think my liver surgeon was excellent though).

I think I may need to talk to gynecologist about the chance of my ovaries functioning at all ever again.

Thanks ladies!
Maria

I had just turned 27 when I was diagnosed and it was never even mentioned by any of my team of doctors.

I have an appointment Monday for a CT and blood work so I'll pose the question to my Onc now.

My treating Onc mentioned that I would be about 40% less fertile but never once suggested I take the ovaries.

Maybe it has to do with how the cancer started (mine from a juvenile polyp), whether we had radiation (no), and if / how much the cancer had chance to spread (yes, to one lymph node directly outside of bowel wall)?

Interesting topic.

BTW, congrats on the NED status again, Maria.

Tricia

suezav

bmaria,
my daughter was only 22 when she was dx with stage 3 rectal. no one ever suggested removing her ovaries. we were told that, of course, if they looked abnormal they would come out during surgery. they were fine so the surgeon pinned them up and out of the way and placed metal clips on them so the radiation oncologist would be absolutely sure where they were located when mapping out the radiation. alot of time and care was taken to protect them. the doctors say that it can take up to a year for normal function to return so we can only wait and see. ideally, we would have had her eggs frozen, but time was not on our side and it couldn't be done. has anyone out there been through radiation and not gone into early menopause? it would be nice to know that things can get back to normal. susan

terril

Hi Maria!!!
I had my ovaries, tubes, and uterus removed because my cancer (in the cecum) spread to all of these organs. I went into menopause at once. It was rough, but I did it!!! Now I am dealing with a recurrence located in my pelvic wall. My situation was already advanced and we had to get the cancer out. I was 51 at the time of the operation. I also had a positive wash. Sometimes the cancer will spread to the ovaries. This disease is so bizarre you don't know where it will be headed. My gut feeling is to take them out. Terri

jerseysue

My colon cancer spread to my ovaries and uterus so everything is out.

KFalvey

Hi Maria,
First congrats on the NED news and hope it continues.
Now for the bad news; I didnt have my ovaries removed during my colon surgery because my surgeon didn't think it was necessary even though I told him it was okay with me to remove all my female organs if anything looked suspicious. I did have multiple cyst on both ovaries and fibroid tumors on my uterus. He decided not to take any of them, but did do biopsies and found all benign. I was 54 then and hadn't started menopause yet; the chemo immediately started menopause and it continued for 6 months after completing chemo. When I went for my 6 month checkup post chemo, I got the bad news of a rise in the CEA. Petscan showed a spot in the left abdomen. Cat scan showed a small mass thought to be a lymph node. My oncologist and surgeon decided to surgically remove it and I had that done 3 weeks ago. It was in the left ovary and it was recurrent colon cancer. I also had another tumor between the rectum and vagina that was cancer. My surgeon was going to do a total hysterectomy, but changed his mind and only took both ovaries and tubes and removed one of the fibroids from the uterus. I'm really hoping I don't end up with uterine cancer next year. I don't mean to scare you with this news, but if you are having surgery soon, you may want to have the ovaries removed. I sure wish I had last year. This now makes me Stage 4 and facing another regimen of chemo soon. Best of luck to you. Kandy

kerry

Maria,

I did not have my ovaries removed, but wish I had. None of my doctors thought it would be a problem to keep them, but if I have to undergo the knife again, they are coming OUT!

Kerry

taraHK

Good topic. I was diagnosed with low rectal cancer at age 44. I had radiation pre-surgery. That fried my ovaries and put me into instant menopause. Removing the ovaries at the time of surgery wasn't discussed (altho of course they had a good look at all close-by organs). When I had a recurrence, it was in my lung (treated now). Since I went into early menopause, I decided to do hormone replament therapy for a few years. I know this is a controversial topic, and it was certainly one which I investigated thoroughly. Anyway -- that was what I decided. Best wishes.

cal79

Hi Maria,

Glad your surgery went well and you are NED!

I had a low rectal cancer for which I had j-pouch surgery performed. I was 25 at the time of surgery, so my team decided that protecting the ovaries was an absolute priority. The only problems I should face if deciding to have children are with the actual birth (natural = apparently very bad for j-pouch due to sphincter damage and c-section = apparently very bad due to build up of scar tissue from previous surgeries...).

Good luck with your decision.

Cal

Moesimo

I kept my ovaries, they said there was no reason to remove them. They were fried during radiation and I went into instant menopause.

Maureen

scouty

I had my ovaries removed laproscopically (piece of cake surgery!!!!!!) due to painful inlclusion cysts. I had that done before my cancer surgery. I was already in menopause so I figured what the heck. I was 51 at the time.

Lisa P.

NanD

Wow-this has really opened the floodgates on a variety of experiences. My surgeon asked me if I would like to have my ovaries out and I declined. At the time I thought my tumor was confined to the sigmoid colon and I was a healthy 47 year old having pretty regular periods still. After I found out I had spread to 13 nodes I was a little more concerned. Then when my follow up CT's showed enlarged ovaries I ended up having transvaginal ultrasounds to diagnose cystic ovaries-1 ultrasound to diagnose, 1 to follow up-anyway at this point I wish they were out. I also now have a polyp in my uterus they want to do a DNC for-in retospect I would tell you to get those ovaries out. We have enough follow up for our cancer without throwing in all these extra tests and procedures. Good luck!

2bhealed

Hi maria,

I was told that colon cancer can mets to the ovaries for the ladies, but I kept mine. My tumor was right near one too.

But I don't live in any more fear that it will move to my ovaries than I do that it move to my liver or lungs or thyroid or brain (the typical path colon cancer takes) so I surely didn't have any of them removed due to the "chances" of a mets there. I would like to keep any organ I have thank you.

I like keeping everything that I can. I happen to like my ovaries and my cycles and everything that goes with having them.

My sister had radiation and she had them line her insides with lead to protect her ovaries. She was 29 when she had her initial surgery. Her 1st radiologist kinda scoffed when she said she's like to save her ovaries and he basically told her she didn't need them--she had cancer. She FIRED him on the spot and got a radiologist who would work with her.

She went on to conceive and have a beautiful healthy baby girl. She died 5 months later, but she was able to carry a baby to term and breastfeed her for 6 weeks (before she did some more chemo).

I wonder how many of these male doctors would like us to yank their testes outta them just because they may get cancer in them at some point?? Uh, I don't think so.

Yeah, I'm keeping my ovaries as long as they stay healthy.

peace, emily who is attached to her organs