Ovarian cancer after having a complete hysterectomy 20 years ago

Hello Brookwood:

I didn’t always know that Ovarian cancer can still occur even AFTER ovaries have been removed, but it can.  References below my name bear that out.   As for me, the one small nodule, or so I thought, that I could feel right below my waist line that I thought was most likely a hernia,  turned out to be Peritoneal Carcinomatosis.  In November of 2012, a CT scan would show multiple large tumors floating around in the peritoneal fluid in my abdomen.

 A 2^nd opinion at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center would also reveal that my ovaries were cancerous as well.  So at that point, I was first treated with chemotherapy of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel (Taxol) here at home.    This reduced the size and number of the tumors to the point where I was a candidate for Cytoreductive Surgery.  The surgery was never intended to be “curative”, because it is a Stage IV diagnosis.  However, God has given me four additional years that I never expected to have.  Peritoneal Carcinomatosis and Ovarian cancer are treated similarly.  Even though there have been difficulties, I’m elated to have been given this many extra years. 

 Your chemo treatment has produced great results—no spread and clean borders.  Who could ask for more?  You gotta’ go through the rain if you want to see the rainbow! 

 Wishing for you “sunshine” from now on,

Love Loretta

 Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV

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 (Brookwood - Underlines and bold print are mine for emphasis)

  1.  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/expert-answers/ovarian-cancer/faq-20057780

 “Is ovarian cancer still possible after a hysterectomy?

 Answers from Shannon K. Laughlin-Tommaso, M.D.

 Yes, you still have a risk of ovarian cancer or a type of cancer that acts just like it (primary peritoneal cancer) if you've had a hysterectomy.

 Your risk depends on the type of hysterectomy you had:

 Partial hysterectomy or total hysterectomy. A partial hysterectomy removes your uterus, and a total hysterectomy removes your uterus and your cervix. Both procedures leave your ovaries intact, so you can still develop ovarian cancer.

• Total hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy. This procedure removes your cervix and uterus as well as both ovaries and fallopian tubes. This makes ovarian cancer less likely to occur, but it does not remove all risk.

  You still have a small risk of what's called primary peritoneal cancer, which may result from ovarian cells that migrated to the peritoneal area during each menstrual cycle before your ovaries were removed. These cells can become cancerous later on.  

  Alternatively, since the peritoneum and ovaries arise from the same tissues during embryonic development, it's possible that cancer could arise from the cells of the peritoneum.

  Currently, there are no effective screening tests for ovarian cancer in women with an average risk of the disease. If you're concerned about your risk, discuss your options with your doctor…”

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 2.  http://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/ovarian-cancer-hysterectomy#Typesofhysterectomies2

 “Ovarian Cancer After Hysterectomy: Is it Possible?

 “…Without ovaries, your risk of developing ovarian cancer is lower, but there’s still some risk.

 That’s because ovarian cells can migrate to the perineum, which is the area between the vagina and anus.

 If this migration happened before your ovaries were removed, those cells remain behind.

 These remaining ovarian cells can become cancerous just like the ovaries can. And if they do, it is still considered ovarian cancer even if the ovaries are removed before the cancer develops.

 Cancer can also develop from cells in the peritoneum, the tissue lining the wall of your abdomen and while this is not ovarian cancer it behaves in much the same way as ovarian cancer and is treated similarly…”

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 3.  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perineum

 “Definition of perineum plural –nea \-ˈnē-ə\

 :  an area between the thighs that marks the approximate lower boundary of the pelvis and is occupied by the urinary and genital ducts and rectum;

1. also :  the area between the anus and the posterior part of the external genitalia

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Hi everyone.......last week i found some blood with my urine. I went to doctor and he adviced me for urine test and ultrasound. It was E. coli infection but in ultrasound endometriotic cyst found in left overy and then my doctor asked me for CA 125 and its level is 135. plz someone tell me is it due to cyst only or is there be chances of cancer.....plz...do help for me...

I was hoping some of you might be able to help me I also had cervical or ovarian cancer over 20 years ago it was never determined by pap smear instead I went in for the removal of my left ovary that is when they found the cancer I was 21 I am now 43 hadn't really been to a doctor since but health issues have recently forced me into a doctor who has done ultrasound and CT scans my lymph nodes appear to be popping everywhere that was the result of the ultrasound do I need to be concerned they have already ruled out by blood work infection

Hi Brookwood! I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015 after having a complete hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoophorectomy in 2002. I had cytoreductive surgery including a low bowel resection at that time followed by chemo with Cisplatin and Taxol. I was in remission for two years but developed several small tumors this past spring and am currently recieving chemo with Carboplatin and Doxcil. Ovarian cancer without ovaries is DEFINITLEY possible! It disturbs me when I hear about all these "celebrities" who remove their ovaries so they won't get cancer because it's false information given to so many women and makes them act accordingly, ie. - missed doctor's appointments, symptoms ignored, etc. We all know the symptoms are so easy to ignore already, and specifically the women with positive genetic studies feel at ease when they should be on alert! More needs to be done about awareness. We need to make teal as well known as pink!!