Advice

kellyh33
kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
in Ovarian Cancer #1
As some of you may remember my mom passed away in August after fighting ovca stage 3c for 14 months. Mom's cancer was not genetic.
I am looking at having a hysterectomy for adenmyosis due to the pain it is causing. This is my question to you: Should i insist on a full hysterectomy (I am 44) or just have a partial? WWYD? i am thinking if i have a full one then i will never have to worry about ovca but then i have heard instant menopause is horrible.
Thanks ladies,
Kelly

Comments

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #2
    Hi Kelly:
    First of all, I am
    Hi Kelly:

    First of all, I am sorry about the passing of your mom. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

    Secondly, on whether you should have a hysterectomy. That is a personal choice. You have to be comfortable with the choice you make or will make. Gather as much information as you can, and then base your decision on that.

    I had a total complete hysterectomy at age 45 for severe endometriosis. (It was after my surgery that I found out there was cancer and had to have another surgery for staging - which found nothing else). Anyway, the menopause thing wasn't bad for me. Sometimes when I get stressed it would bring on a hot flash. Like early morning around the time my alarm would go off.

    I was glad to have everything removed, ovaries, tubes, uteris. During my staging surgery they also removed the omentum and appendix (and lymphs).

    Here are my questions to you: If you only have a partial hysterectomy, are you going to worry or continue to worry that the remaining parts are going to become diseased? Are you going to worry that certain pains, etc., are effecting the remaining parts? Or do you think once everything is removed that you will worry less than you would if you left some parts behind.

    Also, is the reason you are only having a partial is because you are afraid of menopause side effects?

    I hope these questions can help you make your decision. My best to you.

    Kathy
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #3
    What to do
    Kelly,
    So sorry about your mom. I had one ovary removed due to endometriosis at age 39, and insisted on keeping the other one because I didn't want to go through menopause. Hindsight is 20/20, and I've wished I'd had a total hysterectomy instead. You are at an age when you may start menopause any day now. You might be buying a few years, but you're not far from it. There are multiple options for dealing with the side effects of surgical menopause. Chinese herbs have worked great for me. In that your mom's disease was not genetic, you may even have the option of bioidentical hormones. You certainly must do what feels right to you. This is just my two-cents.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #4
    Unfortunately, even a total
    Unfortunately, even a total hysterectomy will not prevent ovarian cancer. If you don't have ovaries, they call it primary peritoneal cancer.

    I would have it ALL taken out, if I were you. I would also not take hormone replacement therapy, but that's just me. I had a partial hyst years ago, then took estrogen for 20 years, off and on. I really think there is a link between HRT and all types of female cancers.

    Carlene
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #5
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Unfortunately, even a total
    Unfortunately, even a total hysterectomy will not prevent ovarian cancer. If you don't have ovaries, they call it primary peritoneal cancer.

    I would have it ALL taken out, if I were you. I would also not take hormone replacement therapy, but that's just me. I had a partial hyst years ago, then took estrogen for 20 years, off and on. I really think there is a link between HRT and all types of female cancers.

    Carlene

    Just my two cents
    I would have it all taken out ,I really wanted mine out when I had a d&c for benign polyps years ago and it most likely saved me from this.
    Years later the Dr wanted to do another d&c and I finally asked for a hysterectomy instead of the monitoring of the polyps she opened me up and I was loaded with cancer. Had I not insisted I would probably be dead now.
    Menopause vs chemo I wish I could choose the menopause.
    Colleen
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #6
    Cafewoman53 said:

    Just my two cents
    I would have it all taken out ,I really wanted mine out when I had a d&c for benign polyps years ago and it most likely saved me from this.
    Years later the Dr wanted to do another d&c and I finally asked for a hysterectomy instead of the monitoring of the polyps she opened me up and I was loaded with cancer. Had I not insisted I would probably be dead now.
    Menopause vs chemo I wish I could choose the menopause.
    Colleen

    Menopause vs chemo
    I wish I could go back and have had a full hysterectomy when I was dealing with heavy periods and fibroids. It's your body and peace of mind, but since you're asking, I'd have the hysterectomy.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #7
    Dear Kelly
    As you may remember my mom passed in May.....I had my "stuff" removed within 2 months of her diagnosis....DO IT>...surgical menopause is not that bad...in fact, I have never felt better....just watch the weight......
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #8
    SUPPORT FOR YOUR DECISION, KELLY
    Whatever it may be. But the ladies are right - you NEED a gynecologic/oncologist to do this right. As for 'instant menopause', I'm familiar with that. Don't know if it was because I had to go through chemo right after surgery or not, but it didn't seem too bad. Hormone replacement therapy is definitely a no-no, at least for me. Doc gave me Premarin vaginal cream to use for a while, it caused my numbers to go up. Stopped it, numbers went down. Never used it again. Had a friend who had OVCA and her doctor put her on estrogen. The cancer came back with a vengence. Don't know why he did that.

    So sorry for your loss, Kelly. Hugs and prayers as you make your decision.

    Monika
  • pattysoo
    pattysoo Member Posts: 170
    #9
    Surgery
    Researchers are discovering that the fallopian tubes may be the primary source of O/C. So, if you choose a partial hysterectomy you may want to ask about having the tubes removed as a precaution.
  • Mum2bellaandwilliam
    Mum2bellaandwilliam Member Posts: 412
    #10
    pattysoo said:

    Surgery
    Researchers are discovering that the fallopian tubes may be the primary source of O/C. So, if you choose a partial hysterectomy you may want to ask about having the tubes removed as a precaution.

    Carlene is correct in what
    Carlene is correct in what she says.
    My mum had a hysterectomy Years and years ago, but they left her ovaries behind, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
    Our first question was of they had taken the ovaries would she still have got the cancer , the answer was yes.
    As it turned out it was actually PPC we learnt this after her surgery , so it wouldn't have made any difference anyway.
    I think the reason for this is because your ovaries are made from the same cells as your peritoneum when you are in your mothers womb.
    I would also like to point out that she took HRT for years.

    Xxxlizxxx

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