GIVEN ONE STAGE BUT SURGICAL STAGE IS DIFFERENT?>

Tessabrack

HELLO ALL, I AM NEW HERE. I WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 1A ENDOMETRIAL ADENOCARCINOMA AND MY HYSTERECTOMY IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MONTH. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE WAS GIVING A STAGE INITALLY AND THEN GIVEN A DIFFERENT STAGE AFTER THE SURGICAL PATHOLOGY CAME BACK. MY ONCOLOGIST DID MENTION I COULD BE STAGE 2 DUE TO CERVIAL INVOLVEMENT BUT HE WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL HE TAKES EVERTHING OUT. THEY ALSO FOUND ANOTHER MASS IN THE BODY OF MY UTERUS DURING PRE OP TESTING. I AM REALLY HOPING THAT THE CANCER STAYS AT STAGE 1A...BUT I HAVE HEARD THAT SURGICAL PATHOLOGY COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING. PLEASE TELL ME YOUR EXPERIENCE.....

cmb

Post-Surgery Staging

While my initial ultrasound, D&C and pre-surgery CT scan, all suggested that I would be a Stage 1 MMMT (uterine carcinosarcoma) case, the pathology report after my hysterectomy indicated that I was Stage IIIB since there were some tumor cells at the surgical margin of the left parametrium. So yes, the post-surgery pathology report can sometimes change the stage, depending upon what is found.

But everyone is different and I'm hoping that you'll still be a 1A after your surgery. Let us know how your surgery goes.

derMaus

Full staging isn't done until

Full staging isn't done until after surgery. Anything prior is an estimation, not an actual stage. They don't really know what's in there until they actually see it, especially with regard to lymph nodes; the post-surgical path report is what will give you the complete information.

barnyardgal

After my biopsy I was

After my biopsy I was diagnosed as stage 1a, grade 1. After my surgery my surgeon did tell me the tumor went deeper and but it was still a solid stage 1 cancer. Unfortunately I had a couple cells on my ovary which bumped me up to stage 3a. 

EZLiving66

After the initial biopsy, I

After the initial biopsy, I was Stage I, Grade 1.  After my hysterectomy, I was Stage II, Grade 3 - BIG difference.  There's no way they can tell for sure until after surgery.

I hope it all works out for you!

Love,

Eldri

Abbycat2

I have to agree!

The pathology report, which I suggest you get a copy of, will tell you your stage and grade. It will likely tell you what kind of uterine cancer you have, such as endometriod, clear cell, sarcoma or UPSC. Anything you are told beforehand may be incorrect and just an educated guess.  I was told that I had a grade 2 prior to surgery. No stage was mentioned. After surgery, I learned that I had a grade 3 cancer, stage 3a. I have been without evidence of disease for 4.5 years and feel great except for neuropathy in my feet due to Taxol chemotherapy.  I hope you turn out to have a low stage and low  grade and wish you the best with your surgery.

NoTimeForCancer

derMaus said:

Full staging isn't done until

Full staging isn't done until after surgery. Anything prior is an estimation, not an actual stage. They don't really know what's in there until they actually see it, especially with regard to lymph nodes; the post-surgical path report is what will give you the complete information.

Well put - I totally agree

Well put - I totally agree with this assessment.

rcdeman

derMaus said:

Full staging isn't done until

Full staging isn't done until after surgery. Anything prior is an estimation, not an actual stage. They don't really know what's in there until they actually see it, especially with regard to lymph nodes; the post-surgical path report is what will give you the complete information.

derMaus is correct. My mom

derMaus is correct. My mom was estimated to be only Stage 1 before and even immediately after her hysterectomy. We were so happy at first, but it wasn't until all samples and lymph nodes were analyzed that we got the pathology report that she was Stage IIIC since her lymph nodes showed metastatic cancer. It's hard but hang in there! Praying for the best for you.

Love,
Rebecca

MugsBugs

Try not to overthink yet

The good news is that it has been diagnosed with Endometrial Adenocracinoma.  My doctor on initial diagnosis said "There is good news and there is bad news.  The bad news is you have cancer but the good news is that it is one of the most highly treatable cancers".  There are several types of uterine cancer and adenocracinoma is the one of the most treatable forms (according to my Dr.)  I was diagnosed with Endometrial Adencarcinoma stage 1.  After my hysterectomy I was still stage 1 and grade 1.  You won't have a grade until after the pathology post surgery.  Take one day at a time and try not to worry (I know it is really really hard).  

Good luck!  

pinky104

Adenocarcinoma

You probably do have one of the most treatable types of cancer, but I wouldn't think it was specifically  because it's an adenocarcinoma.  Adenocarcinomas are cancers of mucus-secreting tissue throughout the body.  In the case of uterine cancer, it's cancer of the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus (the same stuff that sheds off during a woman's period).  My cancer was also an adenocarcinoma, yet it was UPSC which is a grade 3, very aggressive cancer, and therefore harder to treat than a lot of cancers.  I had stage IVb and am still alive eight years after my first surgery, but I had a recurrence last year, and my GYN/onc expects another one in about 5 years.  We've lost quite a few women on this site with UPSC.  Adenocarcinomas can be either easy to treat or hard to treat depending upon what type of cancer they are.  One that is usually less aggressive and easier to treat is an endometrioid.  Did the doctor tell you that was the type of yours? 

pinky104

Addendum to previous reply

Correction of what I just said--adenocarcinoma is cancer of mucus secreting glands.  I couldn't think of the right word and said "tissue" when I meant "glands."  Sorry about that.  I've been working hard all day and my brain is fried!

Abbycat2

Thanks, Pinky, for your explanation

Uterine cancer is highly treatable IF you are fortunate enough to be diagnosed with the endometriod type, which is most often a grade 1 adenocarcinoma. This type is often diagnosed when a stage one- thus highly treatable and curable. My adenocarcinoma was a grade 3 and an advanced stage, stage 3a.  My gyn onc told me that most women diagnosed with UPSC (always a grade 3) and an advanced stage do not survive. I am lucky to be here.

skshello

MugsBugs said:

Try not to overthink yet

The good news is that it has been diagnosed with Endometrial Adenocracinoma.  My doctor on initial diagnosis said "There is good news and there is bad news.  The bad news is you have cancer but the good news is that it is one of the most highly treatable cancers".  There are several types of uterine cancer and adenocracinoma is the one of the most treatable forms (according to my Dr.)  I was diagnosed with Endometrial Adencarcinoma stage 1.  After my hysterectomy I was still stage 1 and grade 1.  You won't have a grade until after the pathology post surgery.  Take one day at a time and try not to worry (I know it is really really hard).  

Good luck!  

THANK YOU

Waiting for the final meeting with the oncologist after my complete hysterectomy on May 30 was crazy ...they saod they got it all, and yet he said the FOCI meant that I went from stage 1 to 3.  Now it appears that I will get the chemo, not sure what kind, and I plan to use the vitamin c in a powder form, also..and of course Vitamin d and other things.  You have given me some encouragement ...in the past week, I have been pretty thoughtful...

Sandy