Stage 3 Grade 3-starting chemo soon

After browsing the stats regarding prognosis shortly after my diagnosis, I decided not to look any more.  If there is anything I've learned during my short time on this and other boards and through research, it is that cancer is a very different disease for different people.  We all react differently to the same treatment even for the same type of cancer.  I have read studies with conflicting information, older studies and studies done with very small samples.  Such is the problem with a relatively rare cancer.  In the end, I think we end up trusting our doctors and ourselves to lay out a course of treatment that offers what is hopefully the best chance at a cure or decent quality of life.  Don't get too far ahead of yourself reading prognoses; you are a statistic of one, as many women here will tell you, late stage survivors, thrivers, that are beating those odds you speak of.

I can't speak to the chemo-resistance of serous as that is not what I've researched, but some of the other women on this board may be able to offer you some insight there.

Also, please check out the thread "Ladies Going Through Chemo."  There's a lot of good information there about how to deal with common side effects.  Information from that thread and earlier ones have helped me get almost all the way through chemo with minimal bad side effects.

Chris

ncg007 said:

Also mixed endometrioid/serous

i was also diagnosed with mixed  endometrioid/serous stage 3C1, grade 3.   Everyones treatment plan and diagnosis is individual, but you have to be in charge and discuss all options with dr and if you are not comfortable, get a second opinion.  The plan for me since this type is more aggressive was chemo-radiation.  Which meant first day of treatment was both chemo and radiation, 2 rounds of Cisplatin 4 weeks apart and 28 radiation sessions, which have been completed and starting Dec 7th I will have 4 rounds of Carboplatin/Taxel every three weeks.  Best of luck to you.

is that 99% of all women diagnosed with endometriod - don't confuse this word with endometrial as endometriod is a type of endometrial cancer just like UPSC is- statistically may die from this disease but you may very well be the woman who survives because you are a member of the 1% who survives. This is just an analogy as most Endometriod cancer is slow growing, that is, a grade 1 cancer and curable. I have spent many hours reading professional journals and have learned that having both cancers- Endometriod and UPSC - increases your odds of survival. You mention that your wash was clean. That's good, but what may prove to be better is getting copies of both your operative and pathology reports. I DID and I am glad that I did as afterall this is MY life and I will make certain that I am an informed participant in my treatment. After reading your personal reports you may want to get a second and perhaps a third opinion (I did!). I don't want cancer to kill me- I will be 63 just after Thanksgiving and I want to live a long, vibrant life!

Warm Wishes,

Cathy

EZLiving66 said:

Cathy, can you site your source?

I have mixed - 70/30, and that sounds like something positive I'd like to look into.  Studies on this are so few and far between that it's hard to get an accurate read on it.  

Happy birthday, Cathy!!!

Take care,

Eldri

I probably read it when I reviewed the research presented at the annual ASCO meeting. I went back about 6 years or so and read the research papers pertaining to uterine cancer. I remember this tidbit of information as I thought it was an interesting statistic. I don't remember which article it was, but I remember thinking it was better to have mixed endometriod/ UPSC as recurrence was lower. Thank you for the birthday wishes!

Cathy 

Don't assume that radiation has to be given in addition to chemo to survive.  I only had chemo and have survived 5 and a half years with having had stage IVB UPSC.  I've been lucky to be a survivor with this stage and lucky that I didn't have to deal with the problems some people have had with side effects of radiation.  I was fortunate to have an excellent surgeon who could recognize cancer by its looks. 

Lindaya88 said:

Endometrial, newly diagnosed

Hi, I'm a 72 y.o. Black woman who (until now) has been very healthy. Friday I was advised that I have endometrial cancer. My first visit to a GYN oncologist will be Thursday, 9/16/21.  I've told my family and friends, and I don't feel scared, but pretty concerned. Since I know so little, I guess my first question is do I HAVE to take chemo?  Probably jumping ahead, but I've always said should I ever get cancer, I would not take chemo. I just want to know how others feel, and has anyone else had this diagnosis, and how did it go for them?

 

 

We're here for you Lyndaya88; however, you will be able to attract more attention and track responses intended for you if you begin a new conversation rather than joining an old one.

My first question is, have you had surgery yet?  That is, what is your diagnosis based on?  Surgical pathology following a hysterectomy, or have you had only a in-office biopsy or a same-day surgery D&C?

If you've had a hysterectomy and the pathology has been completed and you have a diagnosis, you should go to the hospital records office and get a copy of your pathology report and also your surgeon's operative report, which is the surgeon's narrative report of the steps taken to complete your surgery, including possibly useful observations during the surgery.  An operative report is not usually included in the "patient portal" service that your hospital may offer (where you create an account to get test results, appointment reminders, doctor's office messaging, etc.

If you've been diagnosed based on only a biopsy or D&C and been referred to a gynecological oncologist for surgery, good for your ob/gyn for making an appropriate referral.  It's always better to have an oncologist do your surgery.

The key info comes from the post-surgical pathology report.  The ladies here will be interested to know what kind of uterine cancer you have: "garden variety" endometrioid adenocarcinoma; uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC); or, mixed Mullerian (something, it's known as MMMT).  The post-surgical treatment you may have depends on the kind of cancer cells found and whether it was contained to the uterus (early stage) or it has spread beyond.  Except for early stage, low grade cancer, a typical treatment would be chemotherapy and possibly external and/or internal radiation (to the vaginal cuff).  Even low grade, early stage cancer may come with a recommendation for post-surgical treatment.

My own two cents is to take your time to gather the information you need to make the best decision in your personal circumstances.  Especially if you are in a position to obtain a second opinion from a university medical center or a specialist cancer care hospital.

It's good that you are otherwise in good health.  Yes, this is a scary thing but you can face it and overcome your anxiety.  We are a very active and supportive discussion board.  But above all else, start your own conversation with perhaps a bit more detail as discussed above. Also, whenever you find a poster that seems to have a history or a viewpoint that interests you, you can click on that poster's name and read their "story" if they've chosen to create one.

Best wishes, Oldbeauty

something about making initial contact with the board. I know it was very intimidating for me to actually make my first post, plus I was still getting over the shock of dx. Also sometimes newbies post in a newer long thread their stories and questions and they might get overlooked. cmb, any thoughts?

Denise 

And welcome to Lindaya88. 

Hi, Lindaya88,

Please let us know, when you are able, how your appointment goes tomorrow. I have a tendency to jump ahead myself so I understand. Once you have more information about your particular diagnosis, you will find the ladies on the site a valuable supportive resource. There is a great deal of experience represented here. Hugs.