Adenomyosis link to Endometrial Adenocarcinoma - anybody else shares this experience?
Hello Ladies, I don't post too often, but have been looking at risk factors for type 2 endometrial carcinoma in the hopes of raising awareness among my friends and family about this terrible disease. I developed a condition called Adenomyosis about 5 years ago, it causes extremely heavy periods, my family doctor ordered ultrasounds and diagnosed me with atrophic/adenomyotic uterus, but told me there was no need to do anything about it, that it was a benign condition what would resolve itself at menopause. I have learned that, while atrophic endometrium (adenomyosis) is considered benign, a large percentage of type 2 endometrial carcinomas develop in atrophic/adenomyotic uterus. I was diagnosed with UPSC last year (May), had a radical hysterectomy in June, and have been OK since then, but I wonder how many ladies complain to their doctors about endometrial related symtoms that are missed due to other conditions, such as mine.
I include a couple of links below on the correlation between adenomyosis in hysterectomy specimens with type 2 endometial carcinoma:
"In contrast to the findings in uteri removed for endometrioid (type 1) carcinoma, the uninvolved endometrium in uteri containing serous carcinoma (type 2) is usually atrophic. In one study, 76% of serous carcinomas were associated with atrophy and 5% with hyperplasia, whereas 29% of endometrioid carcinomas were associated with atrophy and 46% with hyperplasia." http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v13/n3/full/3880051a.html
"Adenomyosis is commonly seen in hysterectomy specimens for endometrial adenocarcinoma " http://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/or.2012.2184
I have learned that a few relatives of mine had earlier life (early 30's) hysterectomies as a result of the same condition, so it must run in families. I wish my doctor had suggested that to me too. Not all atrophic endometrium develop cancer, but a majority of those who develop type 2 carcinoma are atrophic. As an unscientific survey here, I wonder, did any of the ladies in this forum experience adenomyosis in the years before cancer diagnosis?
Hoping you are all doing well, and keeping the faith.
Lucy
Comments
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Thanks for this informative post Lucy
Interesting how many things we don't know about our cancers I hope some one can relate to this post and reply. we all need the education.
Sorry they seem to have missed being vigilant with you . I wish you the best outcome and NED soon.
Moli-Nuff Love
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Mother had hysterectomy in 40s
i always had very heavy periods but was not diagnosed with this. However, I went into early menopause at age 39. My mother had a hysterectomy in her 40s due to "fibroids". Both my grandmothers had an excessive amount of pregnancies and died in their 90s. No aunts on father's side and only 2 aunts on mother's side. But lots of colon cancer.
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Yes on adenomyosis
Hi Lucy, I just looked back at my pathology report and it lists adenomyosis and leiomyomas as additional pathological findings. For me, extremely heavy bleeding for almost a year was the symptom that caused the anemia which in turn led to the D&C where they originally found the cancer cells.
My mother had a hysterectomy in her mid-thirties because of heavy bleeding. Both of my older sisters had hysterectomies in their mid-forties due to heavy bleeding. Thankfully, none of those sugeries led to a cancer diagnosis (my mom died from non-small cell lung cancer but she was in her mid-seventies).
Hope this information helps you in your research!
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Yes, but I had type 1 endo cancer, not 2Kvdyson said:Yes on adenomyosis
Hi Lucy, I just looked back at my pathology report and it lists adenomyosis and leiomyomas as additional pathological findings. For me, extremely heavy bleeding for almost a year was the symptom that caused the anemia which in turn led to the D&C where they originally found the cancer cells.
My mother had a hysterectomy in her mid-thirties because of heavy bleeding. Both of my older sisters had hysterectomies in their mid-forties due to heavy bleeding. Thankfully, none of those sugeries led to a cancer diagnosis (my mom died from non-small cell lung cancer but she was in her mid-seventies).
Hope this information helps you in your research!
At some time in my adult life, the medical profession decided they were doing too many unnecessary hysterectomies and they probably were. Most of my friends have had hysterectomies and when we all hit about 40, it seemed like it was a very common procedure. Done having babies? Out it came. I had no gyn problems, except for the fibroid and heavy bleeding thing which wasn't so bad and I lived with it. At no point was a hysterectomy suggested. However, I'm the one who got endo cancer and they, siimply because they did not have a uterus, did not. I'm more of the mindset that if we hold on to that organ long enough, it will just sit and fester. Perhaps those who had adenomyosis are at higher risk, and my thoughts are about as unscienfitic and unmedical as can be, but it seems like it's not a matter of if, but a matter of when. And I guess no one would want to remove a perfectly healthy organ, but since I had endo cancer, it has made me take notice amongst my peer group, 3 of whom have had UPSC.
Suzanne
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Thanks for your reply SuzanneDouble Whammy said:Yes, but I had type 1 endo cancer, not 2
At some time in my adult life, the medical profession decided they were doing too many unnecessary hysterectomies and they probably were. Most of my friends have had hysterectomies and when we all hit about 40, it seemed like it was a very common procedure. Done having babies? Out it came. I had no gyn problems, except for the fibroid and heavy bleeding thing which wasn't so bad and I lived with it. At no point was a hysterectomy suggested. However, I'm the one who got endo cancer and they, siimply because they did not have a uterus, did not. I'm more of the mindset that if we hold on to that organ long enough, it will just sit and fester. Perhaps those who had adenomyosis are at higher risk, and my thoughts are about as unscienfitic and unmedical as can be, but it seems like it's not a matter of if, but a matter of when. And I guess no one would want to remove a perfectly healthy organ, but since I had endo cancer, it has made me take notice amongst my peer group, 3 of whom have had UPSC.
Suzanne
I like the old way, done having babies? out it came! My grandmother used to say that the uterus is only good for having babies, and getting cancer. I am not sure why she would say that, she died in her sleep in her 90's, but perhaps she was a lot more aware of our family history than I am. My sister is already considering an elective hysterectomy. Having those elective hysterectomies may not be the right thing for everyone, but those who share in the same risks, it is something to consider. I wish I had insisted on a hysterectomy when faced with the heavy periods, by the way, a lot of people who suddenly start having heavy periods in their forties have mild adenomyosis that goes undiagnosed. I think it is good to be informed about risks, I do hope we can reduce the number of women affected by this cancer through increasing vigilance and being our own advocates.
Lucy
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InterestingCheeseQueen57 said:Mother had hysterectomy in 40s
i always had very heavy periods but was not diagnosed with this. However, I went into early menopause at age 39. My mother had a hysterectomy in her 40s due to "fibroids". Both my grandmothers had an excessive amount of pregnancies and died in their 90s. No aunts on father's side and only 2 aunts on mother's side. But lots of colon cancer.
Thank you for your reply CheeseQueen. Interesting that you mention about colon cancer in your family. When I was diagnosed last May, I got really interested in understanding what could have caused my UPSC, and read that while most cancers (around 90%) are sporadic, about 10% are due to inherited defective genes. Someone who has had endometrial cancer, and has at least two first degree relatives who developed colon cancer woudl be considered for genetic testing for Lynch syndrome genes. Lynch syndrome, while not a guarantee of cancer, it does increase the risk of developing adenocarcinomas (ovarian, endometrial, colon cancers) and runs in families. Keep in mind that the great majority of cancers come out of nowhere (mine seems to be, at least), but it is something good to know to help educate the next generation and increase our own level of vigilance. I believe Angelina Jolie had a number of pretty drastic surgeries to remove organs affected by the BRACA/B gene she learned she carries, her mother died of ovarian cancer at a very young age. My apologies if you already know about Lynch Syndrome's risks, by sharing this I am hoping to benefit those who may be new to this discussion board. I include a link to a good source with info on Lynch syndrome in case anyone would like to learn about it. In the end, some people prefer not to know about your genetic profile/risks and simply focus on being vigilant and keeping healthy habits, which is probably the best defense against all kinds of cancers anyway. So being tested is a personal choice, but one that we should make based on reliable information, and learning about it is the first step. :0)
Best of luck as you continue on your road to recovery.
Lucy
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Thank you Molimolimoli said:Thanks for this informative post Lucy
Interesting how many things we don't know about our cancers I hope some one can relate to this post and reply. we all need the education.
Sorry they seem to have missed being vigilant with you . I wish you the best outcome and NED soon.
Moli-Nuff Love
Moli, thank you for your kind comments, your posts are always so genuine and uplifting. I am always inspired by your strenght and spunk.
Lucy
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Thank you for your reply Kvdyson.Kvdyson said:Yes on adenomyosis
Hi Lucy, I just looked back at my pathology report and it lists adenomyosis and leiomyomas as additional pathological findings. For me, extremely heavy bleeding for almost a year was the symptom that caused the anemia which in turn led to the D&C where they originally found the cancer cells.
My mother had a hysterectomy in her mid-thirties because of heavy bleeding. Both of my older sisters had hysterectomies in their mid-forties due to heavy bleeding. Thankfully, none of those sugeries led to a cancer diagnosis (my mom died from non-small cell lung cancer but she was in her mid-seventies).
Hope this information helps you in your research!
I also developed anemia from the chronic heavy periods, and was having yearly ultrasounds to monitor my uterus, interestingly, had just had a normal ultrasound just weeks before being diagnosed with UPSC last May. I brought that up with my oncologist/surgeon but his reply is was that UPSC behaves like ovarian cancer in that is is hard to spot. The more I hear about the history of early hysterectomies in some of our families, the more I think that may have protected our relatives from cancer, seems like a good idea to me! but then again, it is a very personal choice.
I hope you are well, and on the road to recovery/NED.
Lucy
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Lynch SyndromeLA123 said:Interesting
Thank you for your reply CheeseQueen. Interesting that you mention about colon cancer in your family. When I was diagnosed last May, I got really interested in understanding what could have caused my UPSC, and read that while most cancers (around 90%) are sporadic, about 10% are due to inherited defective genes. Someone who has had endometrial cancer, and has at least two first degree relatives who developed colon cancer woudl be considered for genetic testing for Lynch syndrome genes. Lynch syndrome, while not a guarantee of cancer, it does increase the risk of developing adenocarcinomas (ovarian, endometrial, colon cancers) and runs in families. Keep in mind that the great majority of cancers come out of nowhere (mine seems to be, at least), but it is something good to know to help educate the next generation and increase our own level of vigilance. I believe Angelina Jolie had a number of pretty drastic surgeries to remove organs affected by the BRACA/B gene she learned she carries, her mother died of ovarian cancer at a very young age. My apologies if you already know about Lynch Syndrome's risks, by sharing this I am hoping to benefit those who may be new to this discussion board. I include a link to a good source with info on Lynch syndrome in case anyone would like to learn about it. In the end, some people prefer not to know about your genetic profile/risks and simply focus on being vigilant and keeping healthy habits, which is probably the best defense against all kinds of cancers anyway. So being tested is a personal choice, but one that we should make based on reliable information, and learning about it is the first step. :0)
Best of luck as you continue on your road to recovery.
Lucy
Thanks Lucy,
i know early on I was trying to get them to do genetic testing on my tumor and they did mention that the do test for Lynch Syndrome. However I don't recall them giving me the results. I will be sure to ask at my next appointment. I am still waiting for my second opinion on my slides from Johns Hopkins. They've had the slides for almost a month.
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Moli - you are strong. Yep.molimoli said:Lucy my sister , happy that we all get something
out of each other, a barrel of blessings we are to each other.We need us.
To address strength and or spunk: yesterday's description and discussion about what they plan to do in my open abdomen knocked the ....(curse word ) strength and spunk right out of me, for the entire day.Have any of you ever gotten that oops!! feeling that you may have bitten off more than you can chew? I got it,yesterday, yup! I stumbled.My doctors kept marveling at my strength while at the said moment all I was wishing is to be out of their explaining sight , find a quiet corner to just sit and close my eyes ,tight,tight,tight, not till I die or anything like that but 'till I clear the surgical image that was just plastered over my brain,thats all.
The only thing good about yesterday was that all my pre surgery test (and they were intensive) were excellent,deeming me fit for the butchers and their scalpel on the 13th. Butchers they are but I love their honesty and their confidence in their ability to make the best of my bad situation.
I got my groove back this morning after a good night's sleep.My page is blank today, I am alive, happy and able to partake in decisions ,pleasant and unpleasant ones, a new chapter begins Que Sara -Sara.
Moli-Telling on myself that reality ruled and had its way with me yesterday.
Nuff love and NED blessings to you all my can't do without sisters.
Moli - you are strong. Yep. And, you have a wonderful team of doctors working with you and for you.
I know you are going to come out the other side of this tumor free. It's your time. You fought long and hard for this.
Plus, you have that stringy thingy to experiment with!!!!
Love and Hugs to you my friend!
Cindi
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Lucy my sister , happy that we all get somethingLA123 said:Thank you Moli
Moli, thank you for your kind comments, your posts are always so genuine and uplifting. I am always inspired by your strenght and spunk.
Lucy
out of each other, a barrel of blessings we are to each other.We need us.
To address strength and or spunk: yesterday's description and discussion about what they plan to do in my open abdomen knocked the ....(curse word ) strength and spunk right out of me, for the entire day.Have any of you ever gotten that oops!! feeling that you may have bitten off more than you can chew? I got it,yesterday, yup! I stumbled.My doctors kept marveling at my strength while at the said moment all I was wishing is to be out of their explaining sight , find a quiet corner to just sit and close my eyes ,tight,tight,tight, not till I die or anything like that but 'till I clear the surgical image that was just plastered over my brain,thats all.
The only thing good about yesterday was that all my pre surgery test (and they were intensive) were excellent,deeming me fit for the butchers and their scalpel on the 13th. Butchers they are but I love their honesty and their confidence in their ability to make the best of my bad situation.
I got my groove back this morning after a good night's sleep.My page is blank today, I am alive, happy and able to partake in decisions ,pleasant and unpleasant ones, a new chapter begins Que Sara -Sara.
Moli-Telling on myself that reality ruled and had its way with me yesterday.
Nuff love and NED blessings to you all my can't do without sisters.
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Haha Cindi , you couldn't resist replanting that stringy imageTeddyandBears_Mom said:Moli - you are strong. Yep.
Moli - you are strong. Yep. And, you have a wonderful team of doctors working with you and for you.
I know you are going to come out the other side of this tumor free. It's your time. You fought long and hard for this.
Plus, you have that stringy thingy to experiment with!!!!
Love and Hugs to you my friend!
Cindi
in my brain.Yes experiment must go on.LOL.
Thanks for the mental boost your post delivered to me, needed that more than you know.
Moli- still visualising butt floss.DWL.
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I wish I had complained about
I wish I had complained about heavy bleeding during menopause more. Maybe I would have had a hysterectomy then, too. I just thought it was kind of normal to happen during that time and my doc said if it happened again to let her know and she would do a d and c. Oh well hindsight....
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adenomyosis
Lucy. Your prompt caused me to look back at my recent pathology in which my tumor was noted to be a Grade 1, Stage 1-A. "addditional pathologic findings: adenomyosis and benign leiomyoma (3.5 cm in greatest dimension) negative for cytologic atypia ..." Plus a lot of other benign objects found in everything removed! Never had intensive bleeding. Never an unusual pap smear. Completely normal history of periods and normal, typical menopause. No history of cancer in my family. In three days i meet with the surgeon and team for the 5 yr monitoring plan. 12% of supposedly "clean" stages like this one have reoccurances.
Like you - this is my soapbox now. I appreciate your advocacy and have added your points to my speech!
Mary Ann
Mary Ann
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Hi, Double Whammy!Double Whammy said:Yes, but I had type 1 endo cancer, not 2
At some time in my adult life, the medical profession decided they were doing too many unnecessary hysterectomies and they probably were. Most of my friends have had hysterectomies and when we all hit about 40, it seemed like it was a very common procedure. Done having babies? Out it came. I had no gyn problems, except for the fibroid and heavy bleeding thing which wasn't so bad and I lived with it. At no point was a hysterectomy suggested. However, I'm the one who got endo cancer and they, siimply because they did not have a uterus, did not. I'm more of the mindset that if we hold on to that organ long enough, it will just sit and fester. Perhaps those who had adenomyosis are at higher risk, and my thoughts are about as unscienfitic and unmedical as can be, but it seems like it's not a matter of if, but a matter of when. And I guess no one would want to remove a perfectly healthy organ, but since I had endo cancer, it has made me take notice amongst my peer group, 3 of whom have had UPSC.
Suzanne
At what age were you diagnosed with type 1 endo cancer? Were you on menopausal stage already? If yes, how long after menopause? I've read from medical literatures that adenomyosis goes away or shrinks during menopause, but i don't know how true it is and if it's true to all women. I have adenomyosis and heavy bleeding during periods although my period is not long, lasts only 4 days, the heaviest last a day or 2. I'm 47 yrs old. I also have endometriosis and a 9.6cm ovarian cyst which is an endometrioma (caused by the endometriosis). Surgery is scheduled this Sept 20th but my husband and I talked to the doctor and asked her to take only the cyst out and leave everything else. She said she's going to put a Mirena IUD in my uterus to thin the endometrium and stop the adenomyosis and endometriosis. I don't know however if this is effective and if this takes away my risk to getting endo cancer. She will also take out the fallopian tube to lower my risk of ova cancer. My mom died of breast cancer at the age of 49. I'm wanting to find out about your case.
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I just got my patbology
I just got my patbology report back and adenomyosis, complex hyperplasia with atypia , intramucosal endometrial adenocarcinoma grade 1. They havent staged it yet I see a Oncologyst on the third. Can anyone help prepare me i did have a radical hyster everything removed except lymph nodes.
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Uterinegrade1, it's hard toUterinegrade1 said:I just got my patbology
I just got my patbology report back and adenomyosis, complex hyperplasia with atypia , intramucosal endometrial adenocarcinoma grade 1. They havent staged it yet I see a Oncologyst on the third. Can anyone help prepare me i did have a radical hyster everything removed except lymph nodes.
Uterinegrade1, it's hard to tell since the information from the pathology report didn't include a stage. I will say that Grade 1 is about as good a grade as you can hope for. If it ends up being stage 1, grade 1, you're outlook would be very positive. Good luck and keep us updated on how you're doing. Kim
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Adenomyosis
i just ran across this while doing research on my issue. Last week i was diagnosed with edenomyosis and on ultrasound found twolarge fibroids in uterus. For 15 yrs ive dealt with unbearable ovulation pain. No further testing has been done as doctors say its ‘normal’ and to take ibuprofen. The pain is so bad, i can hardly walk or function for 4-6 hours as my egg travels, pain goes from back then around and into pelvic with labor like pains and pressure. Well now, the same pelvic pain is happening just prior to period and during which led me to push for answers. Ultrasound shows fibroids and adenomyosis And enlarged uterus. I cant get an answer if this is related to my ovulation pain. Doctor says i can deal with the pain or get a hysterectomy. Im having a hard time thinking there is more to this but not sure what to ask or what test can be helpful to determine more. or if a second opinion would be best. Thank you for any suggestions or opinion if youve dealt with similar. Also have fibrosystic disease. In both breasts. Again, not sure if these issues are all related. Am i worrying too much?
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QuestionYana777 said:Hi, Double Whammy!
At what age were you diagnosed with type 1 endo cancer? Were you on menopausal stage already? If yes, how long after menopause? I've read from medical literatures that adenomyosis goes away or shrinks during menopause, but i don't know how true it is and if it's true to all women. I have adenomyosis and heavy bleeding during periods although my period is not long, lasts only 4 days, the heaviest last a day or 2. I'm 47 yrs old. I also have endometriosis and a 9.6cm ovarian cyst which is an endometrioma (caused by the endometriosis). Surgery is scheduled this Sept 20th but my husband and I talked to the doctor and asked her to take only the cyst out and leave everything else. She said she's going to put a Mirena IUD in my uterus to thin the endometrium and stop the adenomyosis and endometriosis. I don't know however if this is effective and if this takes away my risk to getting endo cancer. She will also take out the fallopian tube to lower my risk of ova cancer. My mom died of breast cancer at the age of 49. I'm wanting to find out about your case.
Hi, did you have ovulation pain also? I have adenomyosis and also ovarian cysts and fibroidS in uterus. it seems like the doctors are not digging deep to see if they are missing something. They act like its not a big deal even after how much pain i am in during ovulation and my period. Im 46yrs old
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