Adenocarcinoma Uterine treatment

Hi DSNYC,

My mom is in a similar situation as you right now. She was diagnosed with UPSC Stage IIIC, Grade 3 post-op after pathology results. Although only 33% of the myometrium was penetrated, the cancer was found in one of the 19 pelvic lymph nodes they removed. Her peritoneal wash came out positive. Because they did not remove the omentum and any of her para-aortic lymph nodes, she is actually incompletely staged. They had initially though it was EC Stage IA, Grade 1-2 during hysterectomy so did not go ahead and remove more.

We are still deciding what treatment options will be best for her type of cancer. I think the typical one for UPSC (and for Adenocarcinoma) is usually 6 rounds of carboplatin/taxol followed by external radiation and/or 3 rounds of vaginal brachytherapy.

We will be meeting her chemo doctor and radiation oncologist on the same day on Friday this week, and then will be doing a PET/CT scan the following week to determine what the next step should be. Among the possibilities are a second surgical procedure if metastasis has occured, chemo, followed by radiation. We will have to see.

This is the time to consider your options. I know some people who have gone for the sandwich chemo treatment or a dose dense treatment. Like some of the others, we've decided we want to fight this cancer with everything we've got and hae decided on one of the chemo options.

Prayers to you!
Rebecca

Many of these discussions about radiation make me feel ignorant or unusually trusting. Yes, I do have trust in my gynecologist and I really didn't feel I had time to question his motives of giving me radiation after surgery and then having the 6 rounds of chemo after. All I can say is I am clear right now from my clear cell stage 111C. I know it has a good chance of coming back, but I just wanted to do everything I could to tackle it. I have 2 grown daughters and no grandchildren yet and a wonderful husband. I think we have to remember that every case is different. Yes, radiation wasn't a picnic and I do at times have a lot of stomach issues from constipation, but most of the time I feel pretty good and enjoy life.

beccabtown said:

Radiation works by

Radiation works by "sterilizing" lymph nodes, not just tumors and surrounding tissue, so it is a way of reducing the chance of metastasis as well as local recurrence.

In a discussion of this kind, and since each person has to make her own decision based on what she thinks is best for her, I can only talk about what happened to me. Before being diagnosed with cancer, I assumed that if I ever had it I would forgo elaborate treatments. After I was diagnosed, several things changed my mind. One was that I learned that there are people who beat the odds and survive with aggressive treatment--to five years, which once sounded like too little time to make a difference, but now sounds like it would be a great achievement. I learned that there are many kinds of treatment available now if the first-line treatments fail, and many ways that people are living with cancer. Another thing that influenced my choices was reading about what it is like to die of untreated cancer: I realized that there is not really a choice between undergoing difficult treatments and dying a "cleaner," more "natural" death, as many people seem to think. The reality of our situation is that there is going to be pain either way. I also realized that even though I don't have children, I would leave behind people who love me and whose lives would be altered if I weren't around.

When I was first diagnosed, I had a very strong sense of being drawn into the jaws of a giant medical machine of doctors, tests, procedures, etc., and I hated the feeling of helplessness that went along with that. I guess I've dealt with that by learning as much as I can about my disease and the available treatments and asking questions. To some extent, I've accepted that this is my reality now. But I have also learned much about myself and what I can do. I've learned enough about how my doctors are making their decisions to understand that for the most part they are drawing on the best available research and evidence, and that they're in constant conversation with each other--they're not making rash choices on their own.

Wishing you peace and strength as you navigate this difficult road.

 

Wish we could gather up some of the exceptional posts here and put them in a little cyber orientation package for new folks.  Wouldn't that be neat?

About the exceptional post and packaging them for newbies. Heck package them for us too so we can review them every once in a while.  Really really NEAT idea.  And Soup I couldn't have said it better then what your last sentence was "but most of the time I feel pretty good and enjoy life".   Great thing to remember and remind each and everyone of us each day.

Hugs,

Jerri

DSNYC said:

HI Fayard

It is now stage 3 because of the positive lymph nodes, (had 3 out of 4 positive) I have had multiple post ops and appt with the radiation specialsit since I wrote my post and now have updated status. The tumor in my uterus was stage one since it had invaded my wall 8mm of the 21mm...so less than 50% making it a stage 1 grade 2. I have radically changed my diet, increased my supplement intake substancially...to rev up my immunue system to what seems like the inevitable radiation and chemo treatments that I will start last week of October.

I have another appt on Monday and will ask if I have clear cell or not, I didnt even know about that. I dont know why they dont tell us everything when going over our pathology report after surgery. We may not understand what it all means in that moment but thats how learning works! you have to be told about it first...anyhoozy, yes, I am now considered stage 3 because of the positive lymph nodes and I am oming to terms that I will have to undergo chemo and radiation as somewhat of an insurance policy since recurrance is high in my situation. Thank you for taking the time to respond. Each one helps so much. SO thank you all!!!

Hi Diana, sorry for the delayed response. I've been traveling for work and haven't had access to a computer for a few days... I'm glad to hear that you have an appointment tomorrow. Waiting for information is the worst! You need to have a very clear understanding of your diagnosis in order to make an educated decision on your treatment. 

The one thing I learned from my experience is that second opinions are your friend. Do not be afraid to take your records to a highly-respected cancer center and get their opinion. Sometimes you need new pair of eyes in order to see clearly. They are the experts. This is their life's work. Let them guide you. You should not feel alone in making these important decisions.

Let us know how it goes tomorrow and what you decide. We will support you in whatever you decide. Kim