Is CT Scan of the abdomen recommended prior to total hysterectomy

sabina57
sabina57 Member Posts: 32
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
Does anyone know if a CT scan of the abdomen is routine prior to surgery? My surgeon didn't mention the need for it but I think I'm going to persist. A) I've always had tummy problems and B) I've read that in some cases, cancer was discovered in the abdomen after surgery. I'm also going to start a new post on the emotional roller coaster.

Many thanks and best of luck to all
Sabina
«1

Comments

  • Michaelynn
    Michaelynn Member Posts: 85 Member
    #2
    Ct scan
    I had one prior to my surgery. I think the doctor wanted an idea of what he was going to find before hand. He told me right before they put me under that the scan was good and they had found nothing so that eased my mind a bit at the time.
  • sabina57
    sabina57 Member Posts: 32
    #3
    Michaelynn said:

    Ct scan
    I had one prior to my surgery. I think the doctor wanted an idea of what he was going to find before hand. He told me right before they put me under that the scan was good and they had found nothing so that eased my mind a bit at the time.

    ct scan
    Thank you. If the doctor doesn't mention it, I'm going to. I want my mind at ease.

    Best,
    Sabina
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #4
    sabina57 said:

    ct scan
    Thank you. If the doctor doesn't mention it, I'm going to. I want my mind at ease.

    Best,
    Sabina

    Nope
    Had D&C with scope which detected fibroid tumor, then to path for diagnosis of cancer. Scheduled total hysterectomy with no mention of CT scan. Only cancer found was obviously in uterus, plus 1 pelvic lymph node.

    Interesting as never thoughts of CT scan. My thoughts, never hurts does it? If you feel better and doc doesn't think necessary, try to him for approval to ease your mind.

    Hugs
    Jan
  • txtrisha55
    txtrisha55 Member Posts: 693 Member
    #5
    No CT Scan prior
    I had the D&C with Scope done which pathology found cancer cells. GYN ONC Dr did not request CT prior. She did a complete abdominal hysterectomy and exploratory surgery, took 4 hours to complete. She told me after that it looked like no other organs were concerned and it looked like the tumor was confined to just the uterus. Good News until the pathology report stated that 1 pelvic lymph node had two microscopic cells. Stage 3C1 MMMT cancer. Kinda wished they had done the CT scan first but all indications is that they got all of it.
  • CindyGSD
    CindyGSD Member Posts: 190
    #6
    CT scan and.....
    I had a CT scan, an MRI and an ultra sound, all prior to surgery but my situation might be a little different. I had severe bleeding that landed me in the emergency room. Two pints of blood later, I was admitted to the hospital and had surgery 3 days later and that was only because the bleeding had slowed down, otherwise they would have a wheeled me right in to the operating room.

    I don't know what the standard protocol is but they should be able to give you a reason.

    Take care,
    Cindy
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #7
    Sabina:
    I was to get a total
    Sabina:

    I was to get a total hysterctomy due to severe endometriosis. I had asked if I should have any type of scans and was told no because it would only show the scar tissue and besides I had a laparoscopy and an internal ultrasound which didn't show much. I did have the surgery and when I went back for my one week follow-up visit I was told that they found cancer and therefore had to have another surgery for staging! The docs were surprised. I knew I should had a scan prior. It may have saved me from the additional surgery.

    My best to you.

    Kathy
  • lkchapman
    lkchapman Member Posts: 106
    #8
    Hi Sabina,
    I had an
    Hi Sabina,
    I had an abdominal ct before surgery. My doctor said he wanted to be thorough. I ended up having a lung ct the day before surgery because my chest x-ray showed a nodule. My doctor wasn't going to go through with my surgery if the lung scan was positive. If your abdominal scan indicates there are extensive metastasis surgery wouldn't be the first option. I would definitely insist on a ct if you already have confirmed uterine cancer.
    Good luck and I hope everything goes uneventfully.
    Laura
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #9
    Sabina, I did not have a CAT scan before surgery
    No one recommended a CAT scan prior to my hysterectomy. I had no symptoms, only
    Y an abnormal PAP test. Wishing you the best results from your surgery.
  • sabina57
    sabina57 Member Posts: 32
    #10
    lkchapman said:

    Hi Sabina,
    I had an
    Hi Sabina,
    I had an abdominal ct before surgery. My doctor said he wanted to be thorough. I ended up having a lung ct the day before surgery because my chest x-ray showed a nodule. My doctor wasn't going to go through with my surgery if the lung scan was positive. If your abdominal scan indicates there are extensive metastasis surgery wouldn't be the first option. I would definitely insist on a ct if you already have confirmed uterine cancer.
    Good luck and I hope everything goes uneventfully.
    Laura

    CT Scan
    thanks all,

    I do have confirmed uterine cancer. There is no doubt, I will insist on the CT scan of my abdomen. I strongly believe that we as patients must take charge of our health. Medical oversights happen everyday. The fact that this inner voice is telling me that I should get one done is enough of a reason for me to insist on getting one done. That gut feeling that won't leave me is for a reason. Hopefully the results will be negative but I'd hate to not have it done and look back and say "I should have listened to that voice"!

    Best,
    Sabina
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #11
    Ro10 said:

    Sabina, I did not have a CAT scan before surgery
    No one recommended a CAT scan prior to my hysterectomy. I had no symptoms, only
    Y an abnormal PAP test. Wishing you the best results from your surgery.

    CT
    Sabina, I DID have CT prior because I was admitted to hospital with intractable pain. CT showed tumor....beginning of story 3 years ago.

    I think it's good to get baseline tests. However, tests are not benign - CT scans have lots of radiation. You will have some scans after surgery for sure. Do you need them before? Maybe not. How much exposure to radiation do you want? This is good discussion for you and your doc - what tests, why, and when.

    Best to you. Mary Ann
  • snowbird_11
    snowbird_11 Member Posts: 160
    #12
    sabina57 said:

    CT Scan
    thanks all,

    I do have confirmed uterine cancer. There is no doubt, I will insist on the CT scan of my abdomen. I strongly believe that we as patients must take charge of our health. Medical oversights happen everyday. The fact that this inner voice is telling me that I should get one done is enough of a reason for me to insist on getting one done. That gut feeling that won't leave me is for a reason. Hopefully the results will be negative but I'd hate to not have it done and look back and say "I should have listened to that voice"!

    Best,
    Sabina

    I had a PET/CT prior to
    I had a PET/CT prior to surgery but it was ordered as part of staging for my med onc's insistence that my issues were a second breast cancer recurrence. Not a whole lot showed up on scan but at least hot spot in spleen area gave gyn onc a heads up that I had a fair amount of mets - never really showed anything in regard to all the tumors scattered through pelvis / abdomen. Scans don't show everything and the surgeon will get actual visual when he does surgery. However it could ease your mind to know that all looks good.
    Annie
  • sabina57
    sabina57 Member Posts: 32
    #13
    daisy366 said:

    CT
    Sabina, I DID have CT prior because I was admitted to hospital with intractable pain. CT showed tumor....beginning of story 3 years ago.

    I think it's good to get baseline tests. However, tests are not benign - CT scans have lots of radiation. You will have some scans after surgery for sure. Do you need them before? Maybe not. How much exposure to radiation do you want? This is good discussion for you and your doc - what tests, why, and when.

    Best to you. Mary Ann

    CT
    Maryann you raise a good point with radiation. I'm having laproscopic surgery for a total hysterectomy. The doctor said one of the incisions will be made at my belly button. That's a very sensitive area for me. I also have fibromyalgia and so any pressure can cause pain. It's more to put my mind at ease to know that there is no tumor in my stomach; it is a good discussion for me to have with my doctor.


    Best,
    Sabina
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #14
    sabina57 said:

    CT
    Maryann you raise a good point with radiation. I'm having laproscopic surgery for a total hysterectomy. The doctor said one of the incisions will be made at my belly button. That's a very sensitive area for me. I also have fibromyalgia and so any pressure can cause pain. It's more to put my mind at ease to know that there is no tumor in my stomach; it is a good discussion for me to have with my doctor.


    Best,
    Sabina

    surgery - Sabina
    you mention laproscopic. There is so much that we have to deal with early on - that I, for one, did not question much (or anything). In retrospect I was extremely fortunate that my doctors did everything right from what I have learned in the last 3 years. I preface the following unsolicited information with this and my best intentions.

    Recently (last day or so) I read here about advantages of regular surgery over laproscopic ( not sure which thread, I think JoAnnDK posted it). If you have not already done so, you might want to discuss pros and cons of each surgery with your doctor.

    Please have a gynecologic oncologist do surgery and request a functional profile of your tissue.

    The best to you. Mary Ann
  • Northwoodsgirl
    Northwoodsgirl Member Posts: 571
    #15
    Yes CT scan
    I had a chest x ray and a CT scan prior to surgery. In the chest xray they found a spot which I still have an MRI annually. The spot they think may be a scar from pneumonia at some point. CT scan is standard protocol at the University I went to.
    Lori
  • Gracegoi
    Gracegoi Member Posts: 59
    #16
    Northwoodsgirl said:

    Yes CT scan
    I had a chest x ray and a CT scan prior to surgery. In the chest xray they found a spot which I still have an MRI annually. The spot they think may be a scar from pneumonia at some point. CT scan is standard protocol at the University I went to.
    Lori

    Hi Again
    No CT or CA125 tests prior to surgery. I had a chest exray. I had UPSC and the full monty!

    Have the reverse questionmark to prove it.

    I asked for a CT after surgery and they found tiny liver lesions.


    I believe the thread Mary Ann was thinking about was this one

    http://csn.cancer.org/node/229437


    good for you to think about all angles.

    Grace
  • germanlady
    germanlady Member Posts: 20
    #17
    I have also had stomach
    I have also had stomach problems much of my adult life. Starting 30 years ago. That is when I started having severe migraines and have been on migraine meds and other meds for 30 years. I know the meds did a number on my stomach. I have just been diagnosed. See dr. on Tuesday. Blessings to all
  • smudgie123
    smudgie123 Member Posts: 2
    #18
    CAT scan denied

    I am due to have total hysterectomy due to uterine cancer 6/30 . My doctor ordered a CAT scan but my insurance co denied it even after speaking to dr . I Was feeling a little more positive today until I heard this news - other than the insurance co changing their mind which I doubt or paying for it ourselves should I worry my self sick

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,688 Member
    #19
    smudgie123 said:

    CAT scan denied

    I am due to have total hysterectomy due to uterine cancer 6/30 . My doctor ordered a CAT scan but my insurance co denied it even after speaking to dr . I Was feeling a little more positive today until I heard this news - other than the insurance co changing their mind which I doubt or paying for it ourselves should I worry my self sick

    Ct scan

    I didn't have one till right after all treatment ( surgery, chemo, brachytherapy) was completed

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,488 Member
    #20
    smudgie123 said:

    CAT scan denied

    I am due to have total hysterectomy due to uterine cancer 6/30 . My doctor ordered a CAT scan but my insurance co denied it even after speaking to dr . I Was feeling a little more positive today until I heard this news - other than the insurance co changing their mind which I doubt or paying for it ourselves should I worry my self sick

    I was not a member when this

    I was not a member when this thread was started.  It is all over the board for the answer to the question.  Smudgie123 do you have a gynecologic oncologist?  I would ask the doctor why they said no and follow up with the insurer myself.  Don't be afraid to ask the insurance company for your own answers

  • Sandy3185
    Sandy3185 Member Posts: 229 Member
    #21
    CT scan

    i did have a CT scan before my surgery and have had several since. My doctor felt that it would give him a clearer picture of what was going on. CT scans are an important tool when fighting cancer and I can't imagine how your insurance co can justify not allowing your scan! This thread started several years ago when it was not quite as common but I think that scans are now an accepted tool in the diagnosis and treatment of uterine cancer and it's possible metastities. I would continue to push for the scan.  Sandy

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