What would you do?

heaven627

Hi! I was diagnosed with stage 2 cervical cancer (2.5cm tumor) April 29th of this year. I underwent 25 external and 4 internal treatments with 5 sessions of chemo. I finished the internal July 22nd and went for the recheck at the gyno oncolo on the 29th. He did the physical exam and said that the tumor was gone. Now, the thing is, on the last internal treatment, the radiation dr said the tumor was there but was smaller. Does the tumors really shrink that fast? I am also wanting a hysterectomy to get all the parts I can out because my thought train is if you don't have reproductive organs, then you don't have reproductive organ cancer. He isn't for surgery. What would you do? Surgery or not? And what is next? He wasn't very open on the next steps. Thank you!!!

Kaleena

I saw your post and decided

I saw your post and decided to respond.   I usually post on the uterine board.  I was diagnosed with Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Stage 3a, Grade 2 back in 2005.   As I am now familiar with cervical cancer, I can only go on what either I have read or experienced.   Tumors can shrink like that.   Sometimes the doctors like to do chemo first to shrink the tumors prior to surgery.  However, if they tumors shrink alot, they may not require to do surgery and do a wait and see approach.   You will probably alternate between your gyne/onc and your radiation/oncologist for followup appointments.

However, if you are really concerned, it never hurts to get a second opinion.   Also, get a second opinion away from the place you where at.   What happens is if you get a second opinion in the same facility or a facility that is connected to each other, then they may not look at it closely especially if you have a well known doctor.   It never hurts to get a second opinion and if your doctor doesn't like it, then he may not be the doctor for you.

 

I hope I could be of some help to you.

 

Kathy

heaven627

Kaleena said:

I saw your post and decided

I saw your post and decided to respond.   I usually post on the uterine board.  I was diagnosed with Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Stage 3a, Grade 2 back in 2005.   As I am now familiar with cervical cancer, I can only go on what either I have read or experienced.   Tumors can shrink like that.   Sometimes the doctors like to do chemo first to shrink the tumors prior to surgery.  However, if they tumors shrink alot, they may not require to do surgery and do a wait and see approach.   You will probably alternate between your gyne/onc and your radiation/oncologist for followup appointments.

However, if you are really concerned, it never hurts to get a second opinion.   Also, get a second opinion away from the place you where at.   What happens is if you get a second opinion in the same facility or a facility that is connected to each other, then they may not look at it closely especially if you have a well known doctor.   It never hurts to get a second opinion and if your doctor doesn't like it, then he may not be the doctor for you.

 

I hope I could be of some help to you.

 

Kathy

Thank you so much for

Thank you so much for responding Kathy!! I intend on getting the second opinion.

 

babe12

Hi Heaven

Hi heaven, first-congrats on finishing your treatment!!! It can be brutal & just wear you out. I'm glad you have decided on a second opinion. My oncologists encouraged me to do so if I wanted to (though I didn't). I had stage 4a vaginal cancer, with a very large tumor. I had concurrant chemo and radiation. After that I had a scan & the radiologist couldn't tell where the tumor had originated! Even with great success with treatment, my oncologists had said it would be best to remove just about everything below the belt. Yea, I have a colostomy, but it's no big deal. I could have worse things. My cancer was very aggressive, that's why they did the surgery. You're doing the best thing by getting another opinion, esp. since you are not comfortable with what your Dr. is telling you. Please keep us posted on how you're doing. There are many on this board, we just don't ck in all of the time.

Babe

heaven627

Thank you so much. I went to

Thank you so much. I went to my chemo dr for a recheck on Monday and he didn't seem too happy with the decision. He said he didn't see anything against the surgery and even said he would talk to an associate out of state for his opinion on the matter. He definitely agreed with the secon opinion.

ccfighter

heaven627 said:

Thank you so much. I went to

Thank you so much. I went to my chemo dr for a recheck on Monday and he didn't seem too happy with the decision. He said he didn't see anything against the surgery and even said he would talk to an associate out of state for his opinion on the matter. He definitely agreed with the secon opinion.

I'm glad you are happy with

I'm glad you are happy with your doctors feelings on the surgery.  I would want it all cut out too.  Stick with your gut.  Hugs and hopes for a long cancer free life.

annett

heaven627 said:

Thank you so much. I went to

Thank you so much. I went to my chemo dr for a recheck on Monday and he didn't seem too happy with the decision. He said he didn't see anything against the surgery and even said he would talk to an associate out of state for his opinion on the matter. He definitely agreed with the secon opinion.

hello

Hi Heaven, I have recently been dx with vulvar cancer and go for surgery on sept 9th.  Glad you seem good and prayers to stay well. I will watch to hear from you if you care to tell your story to me. thanks and God Bless Annett