Positive pelvic washing

HealNow

ratajczaktrudy said:

Hi everybody I hope somebody

Hi everybody I hope somebody replies to my post. I hope a lot of you are still alive. Going into this uterine cancer I more or less was told you take out the uterus and everything including the cervix you chance of cure is pretty good. I have read a lot of stuff talking about cancer mestasticizing to different parts if the body. Everyone tells me you will be fine,but as a nurse I guess I am thinking the worse. I guess I would have feel better if there was no positive pelvic washing, then I read a post from a woman with no positive pelvic wash her uterine cancer had spread. My doctor told me if you get cancer uterine was the best to get. I hope some of you people out there has some good news. Thanks

Positive wash

my experience so far....I had a total hysterectomy (Laproscopic/DaVinci) in January 2013. Tumor was grade 1/stage 1,  lymph nodes were negative, but there were endometrial cancer cells in my peritoneal wash. My doc suggested to treat it aggressively, but left the option to me. I chose to go aggressive. I am doing 6 rounds carbo/taxol chemo to hopefully destroy all those free floating microscopic cells. I just finished round 4. I thought that doing everything in my power now was better than wondering about what-ifs later.

All the best to all you strong women about there... Keep fighting.

Abbyldg

ratajczaktrudy said:

Hi Becky how are you doing

Hi Becky how are you doing now. I had a robotic total hysterecomy two weeks ago. I had positive pelvic washing which also saids metastatic adenocarcinoma which I think was said because microscopic cancer cells was found outside the uterus. My doctor put me on megace for a year to see if it will stop cancer growthIf he told me I would have a laparoscope procedure to see if there is any tumor growth. My sister thinks I should have radiation to kill the cancer cells. My cancer was in the uterine wall superficially to the myometruim. I am not sure if I want to wait for a year to see if the megace works From what I here it doesn't cure he cancer but slows its growth. I Am only 52 with teenage kidDMSO I would like to be around a while for myself and them. 

Positive pelvic wash

Hi! I hope you are doing well! I too had a positive pelvic was after robotic laproscopic hysterectomy.  My cancer was contained in my uterus was not outside my uterine wall at all. I had my surgery done in January 2012 in August 2014 I had a rectus sheath hematoma  in my abdomen muscle wall right between two of the incisions just above my naval. They did a biopsy & it came back negative. Here I am a year later, the same hematoma erupted again. Again a biopsy was done & this time it came back positive. I had a petscan done & it showed the cancer was contained in just this one tumor. The oncologist said it was the same cancer cells as the one I had in my uterus. He said things happen sometimes during surgery whereas the uterus gets punctured by an instrument and when the instrument is removed it drags the cancer cells & they fall off the instrument & get logged in another location in your body. He said not very common, but it can happen.  I am a lucky one. Right now I am taking medicine to reduce the tumor & will have it removed in January .  If it all come out clean then I won't even need radiation.  I am thankful that I got the hematoma twice.  It was very painful for about 2 1/2 weeks, but it was a good thing it happened.

Good luck!

Abbyldg

ratajczaktrudy said:

Hi Becky how are you doing

Hi Becky how are you doing now. I had a robotic total hysterecomy two weeks ago. I had positive pelvic washing which also saids metastatic adenocarcinoma which I think was said because microscopic cancer cells was found outside the uterus. My doctor put me on megace for a year to see if it will stop cancer growthIf he told me I would have a laparoscope procedure to see if there is any tumor growth. My sister thinks I should have radiation to kill the cancer cells. My cancer was in the uterine wall superficially to the myometruim. I am not sure if I want to wait for a year to see if the megace works From what I here it doesn't cure he cancer but slows its growth. I Am only 52 with teenage kidDMSO I would like to be around a while for myself and them. 

Positive pelvic wash

Hi! I hope you are doing well! I too had a positive pelvic was after robotic laproscopic hysterectomy.  My cancer was contained in my uterus was not outside my uterine wall at all. I had my surgery done in January 2012 in August 2014 I had a rectus sheath hematoma  in my abdomen muscle wall right between two of the incisions just above my naval. They did a biopsy & it came back negative. Here I am a year later, the same hematoma erupted again. Again a biopsy was done & this time it came back positive. I had a petscan done & it showed the cancer was contained in just this one tumor. The oncologist said it was the same cancer cells as the one I had in my uterus. He said things happen sometimes during surgery whereas the uterus gets punctured by an instrument and when the instrument is removed it drags the cancer cells & they fall off the instrument & get logged in another location in your body. He said not very common, but it can happen.  I am a lucky one. Right now I am taking medicine to reduce the tumor & will have it removed in January .  If it all come out clean then I won't even need radiation.  I am thankful that I got the hematoma twice.  It was very painful for about 2 1/2 weeks, but it was a good thing it happened.

Good luck!

Abbycat2

light42day said:

Positive pelvic wash

I'm considered to be free of cancer now after the chemo.  My last pelvic checks and ct scans have been good.  It will be 18 months at my aug. check up.  It's a hard decis ion-whether to have chemo or radiation or not.  You could get a second opinion maybe.  

Abbyldg, I wish you the best outcome

with your surgery in January to remove the tumor. I was diagnosed with UPSC, stage 3a in Oct 2013 with positive washings. Positive washings do not effect the stage of cancer. Did you have chemo or radiation after your hysterectomy? What was your stage and grade of uterine cancer? I had a cat scan last week and I remain NED. When I talked to my gyn oncologist about positive washings he said that a lot had to happen for these rogue cells to survive. For one thing, they need a blood supply. This is a 5-year-old thread and many of these women no longer post on this site.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cathy 

sharidee

Positive Pelvic Wash

I had a complete Robotic Hysterectomy 6/13/2016, everything removed, 6mm tumor contained inside uterus, had not invaded outside the wall, no lymp node involvement, stage 1a MMMT Cancer, however there were cancer cells present in the wash that was done before the surgery.  So my question is, if the tumor was still contained inside uterus, why were there cancer cells in the wash?  I asked my Oncologist and she said that was a good question, but could not give me an answer.  Since mine was a 1a, I chose not to have the recommended chemo and radiation.  I went to Tiajuana Mexico to the Oasis Of Hope, and had 10 days of alternative treatments, infusions of VitB17, VitC, VitK, Minerals & Vitamins, and Ozone Treatments.  I'm also taking a lot of natural supplements, B17, Curcumin, Vit C, Vit D3 and much more.  I just got back 3 weeks ago, and I'll be having a Pet Scan in Oct which I'm nervous about getting.  I did my own research and there are natural cures out there for cancer, and Vit B17 is just one of them along with Vit C.  Has anyone else on here had a positive wash, and did not have chemo and radiation, and also went the alternative route?  I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this, thanks!

Sharon

Kvdyson

sharidee said:

Positive Pelvic Wash

I had a complete Robotic Hysterectomy 6/13/2016, everything removed, 6mm tumor contained inside uterus, had not invaded outside the wall, no lymp node involvement, stage 1a MMMT Cancer, however there were cancer cells present in the wash that was done before the surgery.  So my question is, if the tumor was still contained inside uterus, why were there cancer cells in the wash?  I asked my Oncologist and she said that was a good question, but could not give me an answer.  Since mine was a 1a, I chose not to have the recommended chemo and radiation.  I went to Tiajuana Mexico to the Oasis Of Hope, and had 10 days of alternative treatments, infusions of VitB17, VitC, VitK, Minerals & Vitamins, and Ozone Treatments.  I'm also taking a lot of natural supplements, B17, Curcumin, Vit C, Vit D3 and much more.  I just got back 3 weeks ago, and I'll be having a Pet Scan in Oct which I'm nervous about getting.  I did my own research and there are natural cures out there for cancer, and Vit B17 is just one of them along with Vit C.  Has anyone else on here had a positive wash, and did not have chemo and radiation, and also went the alternative route?  I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this, thanks!

Sharon

I went the traditional Western medicine route

Hi Sharon, I was also diagnosed with uterine MMMT (1b) but went the traditional Western medicine route and had both chemo and radiation for my front-line treatment. I have been NED since June 2016. Have you heard of Angel Howerton? She went the alternative route with her Stage 4 MMMT and has been NED for 5 years. She has a website that you can find on Google. Good luck to you on your scan and treatments. Let us know how you're doing. Kim

Editgrl

sharidee said:

Positive Pelvic Wash

I had a complete Robotic Hysterectomy 6/13/2016, everything removed, 6mm tumor contained inside uterus, had not invaded outside the wall, no lymp node involvement, stage 1a MMMT Cancer, however there were cancer cells present in the wash that was done before the surgery.  So my question is, if the tumor was still contained inside uterus, why were there cancer cells in the wash?  I asked my Oncologist and she said that was a good question, but could not give me an answer.  Since mine was a 1a, I chose not to have the recommended chemo and radiation.  I went to Tiajuana Mexico to the Oasis Of Hope, and had 10 days of alternative treatments, infusions of VitB17, VitC, VitK, Minerals & Vitamins, and Ozone Treatments.  I'm also taking a lot of natural supplements, B17, Curcumin, Vit C, Vit D3 and much more.  I just got back 3 weeks ago, and I'll be having a Pet Scan in Oct which I'm nervous about getting.  I did my own research and there are natural cures out there for cancer, and Vit B17 is just one of them along with Vit C.  Has anyone else on here had a positive wash, and did not have chemo and radiation, and also went the alternative route?  I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this, thanks!

Sharon

There are a couple of women

 I believe, from older posts, Cailfornia_Artist and bea-mil who did not have chemo or radiation. Calfornia_Artist posted extensively about alternative treatments, diet, etc.  Unfortunately, I do not know about the positive pelvic wash.  However, you might try searching some keywords, including curcurmin, Vitamin D3, alternative and see what pops up.  Though RoseyR went through chemo and radiation, she also used supplements and alternative treatments as well.  These women are not active on the board at this time, but their posts from years ago have a lot of information in them.

DSNYC

sharidee said:

Positive Pelvic Wash

I had a complete Robotic Hysterectomy 6/13/2016, everything removed, 6mm tumor contained inside uterus, had not invaded outside the wall, no lymp node involvement, stage 1a MMMT Cancer, however there were cancer cells present in the wash that was done before the surgery.  So my question is, if the tumor was still contained inside uterus, why were there cancer cells in the wash?  I asked my Oncologist and she said that was a good question, but could not give me an answer.  Since mine was a 1a, I chose not to have the recommended chemo and radiation.  I went to Tiajuana Mexico to the Oasis Of Hope, and had 10 days of alternative treatments, infusions of VitB17, VitC, VitK, Minerals & Vitamins, and Ozone Treatments.  I'm also taking a lot of natural supplements, B17, Curcumin, Vit C, Vit D3 and much more.  I just got back 3 weeks ago, and I'll be having a Pet Scan in Oct which I'm nervous about getting.  I did my own research and there are natural cures out there for cancer, and Vit B17 is just one of them along with Vit C.  Has anyone else on here had a positive wash, and did not have chemo and radiation, and also went the alternative route?  I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this, thanks!

Sharon

Positive wash, along with positive lymph node removal

HI Sharon

I just had a full hysterectomy, Aug 31, cancer was contained within the uterus, 8mm tumor removed, ovaries and cervix unremarkable but postive wash and multiple lymph nodes removed. I was told the cancer was grade 1 but because of the spread to my lymph nodes and postive washing it is now considered stage 3. I am meeting with a radiation and chemo doctor next week as my gyno oncologist is recommending both treatments. I am hesitant with radiation after hearing the horror stories, but considering chemo, (still scarey, hair loss? just found out everything today so dont even remember everything) however I am very interesting in alternative treatments and would love to hear how your alternative route turned out, how do you feel? When is your next follow up with oncologist and any new findings? please keep us posted

Diana

rcdeman

My mom is in the same

My mom is in the same situation as you, DSNYC. But with the difference that she has UPSC Stage IIIC. One of her pelvic lymph nodes showed cancer and her peritoneal washings came back positive as well. I'm the most concerned about the peritoneal washings coming out positive because that means the cancer is floating around her abdomen with the possibility of metastazing anywhere it goes.

Is there anyone here on these forums who have had good results/NED from chemo and radiation that had positive peritoneal washings initially?

Rebecca

Soup52

I had a positive wash also

I had a positive wash also and so far I am NED. My chemo ended in June and I had radiation internal and external before. My scan end of June came back clear. I go back to dr. In October with another scan in December. I'm praying for continued NED.

rcdeman

Soup52 said:

I had a positive wash also

I had a positive wash also and so far I am NED. My chemo ended in June and I had radiation internal and external before. My scan end of June came back clear. I go back to dr. In October with another scan in December. I'm praying for continued NED.

Love it, Soup! This makes me

Love it, Soup! This makes me feel a lot better!

Will pray for your continued NED!
Rebecca

DrienneB

rcdeman said:

My mom is in the same

My mom is in the same situation as you, DSNYC. But with the difference that she has UPSC Stage IIIC. One of her pelvic lymph nodes showed cancer and her peritoneal washings came back positive as well. I'm the most concerned about the peritoneal washings coming out positive because that means the cancer is floating around her abdomen with the possibility of metastazing anywhere it goes.

Is there anyone here on these forums who have had good results/NED from chemo and radiation that had positive peritoneal washings initially?

Rebecca

Pelvic Washings

Rebecca,

My gyn/onc who is head of the dept. at Stanford University and is a researcher for curing ovarian cancer - said that the research does not show that pelvic washings positive for cancer cells indicate a higher risk for tumor recurrance than negative wahsings. He believes that one should treat high grade (3) uterine cancers with most severe treatment, no matter what the staging is at diagnosis/surgery. it was in the context of guidelines for treatment that he stated what he did about pelvic washings. As has been said on this board, positive pelvic wasings are common. Of course much is unknown, but that issue alone might not need to be a cause for fear.

-j

rcdeman

DrienneB said:

Pelvic Washings

Rebecca,

My gyn/onc who is head of the dept. at Stanford University and is a researcher for curing ovarian cancer - said that the research does not show that pelvic washings positive for cancer cells indicate a higher risk for tumor recurrance than negative wahsings. He believes that one should treat high grade (3) uterine cancers with most severe treatment, no matter what the staging is at diagnosis/surgery. it was in the context of guidelines for treatment that he stated what he did about pelvic washings. As has been said on this board, positive pelvic wasings are common. Of course much is unknown, but that issue alone might not need to be a cause for fear.

-j

Thanks for this, DrienneB. I

Thanks for this, DrienneB. I'm concerned that positive washings mean that cancer cells are floating around the peritoneal area with the ability to just land anywhere and start multiplying. It's a scary thought, but your words have given me a bit more hope. As it is right now, it seems my mom will be undergoing an intensive sandwich treatment with chemo followed by chemo at the same time as radiation and then more chemo to top it off. I've heard this treatment is particularly hard on the recipient so I am concerned that the doctor is overestimating my mother's overall physical health. She's 66, and not quite a spring chicken anymore.

Thanks for your encouraging words!
Rebecca

DrienneB

rcdeman said:

Thanks for this, DrienneB. I

Thanks for this, DrienneB. I'm concerned that positive washings mean that cancer cells are floating around the peritoneal area with the ability to just land anywhere and start multiplying. It's a scary thought, but your words have given me a bit more hope. As it is right now, it seems my mom will be undergoing an intensive sandwich treatment with chemo followed by chemo at the same time as radiation and then more chemo to top it off. I've heard this treatment is particularly hard on the recipient so I am concerned that the doctor is overestimating my mother's overall physical health. She's 66, and not quite a spring chicken anymore.

Thanks for your encouraging words!
Rebecca

more on positive washing

Hi Rebecca,

What Kathy G said about those cells needing a blood supply to get their footing, is probably right. And just to add another person's data into the mix, I also had a positive pelvic washing, and was staged 3C for carcinosarcoma/MMMT (another grade 3 tumor cell type) and have been NED since diagnosis in May of 2013. I had the carboplatin/taxol chemo regime alone. My choice not to have radiation was not easily made and was a twisted road I'd rather not describe here. These decisions are really hard. I think there is satisfaction in knowing that you're doing all you can do. Will pray for you and your mom.

-jane

rcdeman

DrienneB said:

more on positive washing

Hi Rebecca,

What Kathy G said about those cells needing a blood supply to get their footing, is probably right. And just to add another person's data into the mix, I also had a positive pelvic washing, and was staged 3C for carcinosarcoma/MMMT (another grade 3 tumor cell type) and have been NED since diagnosis in May of 2013. I had the carboplatin/taxol chemo regime alone. My choice not to have radiation was not easily made and was a twisted road I'd rather not describe here. These decisions are really hard. I think there is satisfaction in knowing that you're doing all you can do. Will pray for you and your mom.

-jane

Thanks Jane, do you think you

Thanks Jane, do you think you can personally message me on why you decided not to go through radiation? We are confused right now and I'm concerned about the long-term effects that radiation has on the body and how it will effect quality of life. Just PM me or I can PM you my email.

Thanks!
Rebecca

Mirabai

Positive washings too

I had my radical Di Vinci hysterectomy +sential nodes 10days ago. It was fully contained - but like many of you, the pelvic washing came back positive. My surgeon suggested probably due to the hysteroscopy and curettings 2 weeks prior, which upset me as I had initially asked for that procedure to be bypassed as I feared that very thing. I really don't want to take radio and chemo. The oncologist has graded my endometrial cancer at stage1A grade 2 and suggested no further treatment, just follow up every 3 months.  I am scared and it is affecting my sleep. Did I do the right thing telling him I didn't want further treatment? Is that why he didn't offer it? What can I do to increase my chances of killing those cells? Why didn't they wash them all out then wash around a little chemo? I hate that everything was good but now I am playing the waiting game, my head won't stop thinking 'what if', and can't really relax. I want to do everything that I can naturally do to increase my chances of long term survival. Any suggestions re diet, supplements etc?

 

TeddyandBears_Mom

Mirabai said:

Positive washings too

I had my radical Di Vinci hysterectomy +sential nodes 10days ago. It was fully contained - but like many of you, the pelvic washing came back positive. My surgeon suggested probably due to the hysteroscopy and curettings 2 weeks prior, which upset me as I had initially asked for that procedure to be bypassed as I feared that very thing. I really don't want to take radio and chemo. The oncologist has graded my endometrial cancer at stage1A grade 2 and suggested no further treatment, just follow up every 3 months.  I am scared and it is affecting my sleep. Did I do the right thing telling him I didn't want further treatment? Is that why he didn't offer it? What can I do to increase my chances of killing those cells? Why didn't they wash them all out then wash around a little chemo? I hate that everything was good but now I am playing the waiting game, my head won't stop thinking 'what if', and can't really relax. I want to do everything that I can naturally do to increase my chances of long term survival. Any suggestions re diet, supplements etc?

 

Mirabai,

Mirabai,

Welcome to our club and sorry you needed to join us! If you are uncomfortable with the recommendations, please get a second opinion. I don't believe your oncologist would not suggest further treatment if they believed you needed it. They have an obligation to give you the full picture even if you say you don't want to do something.

Just hearing the word cancer is a scary thing. You will be fine. It just takes a while to get to the point of acceptance and learning to live with it. If you continue to have anxiety, please ask for a mild anit-anxiety med to help you through this part of the "treatment"... Hang in there and come back with any questions.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Nellasing

Hi Mirabai

Glad your surgery was 10 days ago and that you didn't mention feeling bad from it.  Hope you are recovering quickly and well.

I agree with Cindi, the Dr. would tell you exactly what they tell everyone they see no matter if you had expressed not wanting to do something or other.  My Dr. had her hands full with me questioning everything at every turn.  That's ok, it's their job.  In the end you will need to do what you need to do to live with it.  As for me, I did an integrated approach with my gyn/onc and my Naturopath supporting my healthy body through treatment.  I believe it worked really REALLY well as I didn't have as hard a time of it as many and the only lasting effect is a bit of neuropathy in my feet so far.

I would suggest that you find a certified naturopath, with experience in oncology, if you want to explore what else you can do.  This stuff is complicated and you do want to give yourself every advantage.

Glad you found this group of ladies- they have so much knowledge and caring- I didn't find them til after I was finished with chemo.  You really can ask anything and there is most always someone along pretty quickly to lend a shoulder or tell their story.

(((HUGS))) as you find your way- they say once you choose your path walk straight ahead with confidence and don't keep looking back and doing the what if- a LOT of the battle field is in the mind  

Kvdyson

Hi Mirabai, I'm sorry that

Hi Mirabai, I'm sorry that you're feeling scared and not sleeping well. That is a natural feeling when you get a cancer diagnosis. I don't have any suggestions for diets or supplements but will say that just being a part of this support group has made a world of difference for my mental state. These are wonderful people who have been through just about everything imaginable and have lived to fight another day. Good luck to you and don't be a stranger! Kim

Mirabai

sharidee said:

Positive Pelvic Wash

I had a complete Robotic Hysterectomy 6/13/2016, everything removed, 6mm tumor contained inside uterus, had not invaded outside the wall, no lymp node involvement, stage 1a MMMT Cancer, however there were cancer cells present in the wash that was done before the surgery.  So my question is, if the tumor was still contained inside uterus, why were there cancer cells in the wash?  I asked my Oncologist and she said that was a good question, but could not give me an answer.  Since mine was a 1a, I chose not to have the recommended chemo and radiation.  I went to Tiajuana Mexico to the Oasis Of Hope, and had 10 days of alternative treatments, infusions of VitB17, VitC, VitK, Minerals & Vitamins, and Ozone Treatments.  I'm also taking a lot of natural supplements, B17, Curcumin, Vit C, Vit D3 and much more.  I just got back 3 weeks ago, and I'll be having a Pet Scan in Oct which I'm nervous about getting.  I did my own research and there are natural cures out there for cancer, and Vit B17 is just one of them along with Vit C.  Has anyone else on here had a positive wash, and did not have chemo and radiation, and also went the alternative route?  I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this, thanks!

Sharon

Me too

I also had a radical robotic hysterectomy- 12 days ago. and the pelvic wash was positive. I REALLY didn't want to have radio and chemo so was pleased when the oncologist said stage 1a grade 2 does not need it and that the free cells had no "tenticals" and were most probably from the hysteroscopy and curetting they did 2 weeks prior.I have started on an

I have started on an anti-cancer diet and supplements recommended by my Naturopath. A first she is resting my liver and kidneys  from the trauma of the anesthetic, then will get more aggressive. I have stopped all sugar and try to emphasise alkaline producing foods, plant foods, non-inflammatory foods.  Also, meditate and keep positive about the outcome.

Best wishes!