Metastatic Uterine Cancer..over 10 years after treatment !

MGraham
MGraham Member Posts: 5
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
I've recently been diagnosed as having metastatic uterine cancer, to a lymph node in my retroperitoneal cavity. It's resting between my spine and vena cava.

I was diagnosed and treated in February of 2001 with uterine cancer. Had a complete hysterectomy and underwent 5 weeks of radiation. I'm at a loss as to why, after all these years, this has happened? I have an appointment with a gynecological oncologist this Thursday.

Has anyone else encounted something like this, so many years after treatment???

Comments

  • snowbird_11
    snowbird_11 Member Posts: 160
    #2
    That certainly is a shock
    That certainly is a shock when you think you have beaten any expectation of recurrence. I also have had breast cancer which recurred 6 years after treatment. There is a poster on the ovarian ca board who recurred 17 years later. Undetected cancer cells were most likely beyond the radiation field and as I understand, you did not have chemo which treats the whole body. However, I had chemo but no radiation and recurred locally. It is definitely possible for a low grade cancer to go undetected for quite some time.
    I hope you are able to get a plan in place. This is an excellent place to come for information, sharing experiences, and most importantly, support from those who have been there.
    Annie
  • MGraham
    MGraham Member Posts: 5
    #3
    snowbird_11 said:

    That certainly is a shock
    That certainly is a shock when you think you have beaten any expectation of recurrence. I also have had breast cancer which recurred 6 years after treatment. There is a poster on the ovarian ca board who recurred 17 years later. Undetected cancer cells were most likely beyond the radiation field and as I understand, you did not have chemo which treats the whole body. However, I had chemo but no radiation and recurred locally. It is definitely possible for a low grade cancer to go undetected for quite some time.
    I hope you are able to get a plan in place. This is an excellent place to come for information, sharing experiences, and most importantly, support from those who have been there.
    Annie

    thanks Annie. I did realize
    thanks Annie. I did realize it was possible, but I was SO sure I had this beat for good ! At the time, they even gave me the option of having radiation or not, and of course I did. I really don't even have a clue as to what will be next............chemo first to shrink? It's in a precarious position, so we shall see. Thanks for replying.......I'll update after I've visited with the new doctor

    -Maryann
  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    #4
    So sorry to hear your news
    I'm so sorry to hear you've had a recurrence so many years after your original diagnosis. I was in a similar position. I was 7 years clear of my hysterectomy (where they didn't even find any actual cancer - just atypical hyperplasia) when I was diagnosed with a Grade 1 recurrence. Mine was treated with radiotherapy as I hadn't had it after the hysterectomy. If surgery or more radiotherapy aren't an option, then chemo or hormone therapy are possible. But it is a good sign that it has taken so long to come back, as this probably means it is low grade and more receptive to treatment.
    You've come to the right place for advice and support. The ladies on this board are so supportive.
    Wishing you well
    Helen
  • pakb56
    pakb56 Member Posts: 141
    #5
    Prayers
    You will be in my prayers.
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #6
    pakb56 said:

    Prayers
    You will be in my prayers.

    Yikes!
    What a shock. What type/stage/grade of endometrial cancer did you have 10 years ago? Helen's explanation of slow growing is encouraging and I hope your further treatments now go well.

    Will send some hugs and prayers your way along with the others. Please keep us informed about your conversation with the gynecologic oncologist. Lots of good support on this board.

    Suzanne
  • Ruffy7
    Ruffy7 Member Posts: 126
    #7
    Double Whammy said:

    Yikes!
    What a shock. What type/stage/grade of endometrial cancer did you have 10 years ago? Helen's explanation of slow growing is encouraging and I hope your further treatments now go well.

    Will send some hugs and prayers your way along with the others. Please keep us informed about your conversation with the gynecologic oncologist. Lots of good support on this board.

    Suzanne

    Sorry to hear about your
    Sorry to hear about your recurrence. If I may ask, how did they find it - were you having symptoms? Do the docs think it is a recurrence or some different type of cancer? Hope you get good news from the doc - good luck.
  • MGraham
    MGraham Member Posts: 5
    #8
    Double Whammy said:

    Yikes!
    What a shock. What type/stage/grade of endometrial cancer did you have 10 years ago? Helen's explanation of slow growing is encouraging and I hope your further treatments now go well.

    Will send some hugs and prayers your way along with the others. Please keep us informed about your conversation with the gynecologic oncologist. Lots of good support on this board.

    Suzanne

    way back when....
    Suzanne,
    In February of 2001, I had a complete hysterectomy, and the cancer was Grade 1, nuclear Grade 2.......

    Oncologist said there is no way to know how long it's been growing. I'll be having surgery to remove lymph node(s) which in itself is dangerous because of the location. May need a vascular surgeon. Then chemo. I told her I want the most agressive treatment possible to get rid of this once and for all. She told me she was happy that I chose that option.

    Going for a PET Scan on Tuesday - after the results are ready, we'll reconvene and set up a firm plan. Really liked the doctor, so that's half the battle in my mind.

    thanks for your post :)
  • MGraham
    MGraham Member Posts: 5
    #9
    Ruffy7 said:

    Sorry to hear about your
    Sorry to hear about your recurrence. If I may ask, how did they find it - were you having symptoms? Do the docs think it is a recurrence or some different type of cancer? Hope you get good news from the doc - good luck.

    They found this completely
    They found this completely by accident. I was having some acid reflux issues, went to my gastro and he examined me. He pressed on the area where the ribs sort of meet, upper stomach ? a HUGE wave of nausea came over me. he said he didn't like the way it felt, although it could just be my intestines were up further than they should be. So he sent me for an abdominal sonogram. That showed what they thought could have been issues with my pancreas. So they sent me for an abdominal MRI and that's when they found it.

    Same cancer as I had in Feb. 2001. It metastasized to a lymph node that's located between my spine and my vena cava and has numerous veins and arteries surrounding it. So it's in a dangerous position for surgery she said.

    We'll reconvene after my PET Scan on Tuesday.
  • MGraham
    MGraham Member Posts: 5
    #10
    Ruffy7 said:

    Sorry to hear about your
    Sorry to hear about your recurrence. If I may ask, how did they find it - were you having symptoms? Do the docs think it is a recurrence or some different type of cancer? Hope you get good news from the doc - good luck.

    They found this completely
    They found this completely by accident. I was having some acid reflux issues, went to my gastro and he examined me. He pressed on the area where the ribs sort of meet, upper stomach ? a HUGE wave of nausea came over me. he said he didn't like the way it felt, although it could just be my intestines were up further than they should be. So he sent me for an abdominal sonogram. That showed what they thought could have been issues with my pancreas. So they sent me for an abdominal MRI and that's when they found it.

    Same cancer as I had in Feb. 2001. It metastasized to a lymph node that's located between my spine and my vena cava and has numerous veins and arteries surrounding it. So it's in a dangerous position for surgery she said.

    We'll reconvene after my PET Scan on Tuesday.

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