Sloan Kettering or Johns Hopkins

PigletsMD
PigletsMD Member Posts: 6
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

Feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Will have biopsy next week.  No matter biopsy results, given family history of uterine cancer, I will likely seek a second opinion.

I live on the East Coast.  If you had a choice of either Sloan or Johns Hopkins for a second opinion or treatment, which one would you pick?  Is there a surgery and oncology team you would recommend?  

Comments

  • PigletsMD
    PigletsMD Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2018 #2
    One More Question re: Biopsy

    Would you recommend that an endometrial biopsy and sonohysterogram be done by a regular ob/gyn or am I just wasting time.   Endometrial lining is 29 mm.   Thank you so much.

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,486 Member
    #3
    piglets, can I ask you a few

    piglets, can I ask you a few questions?  Are you having issues or are you looking in to a biopsy because of your family history?  

    I think most of us have had irregular bleeding and had a biopsy - not a pleasant experience - or a D&C.  I think most of us agree that the D&C is more complete of a test.  My D&C was with my gyn, and when the cancer was detected I was turned over to a gyn onc.  

    Even with your family history, try to take a breath.  Wait for the results and see what you are dealing with.  

  • Armywife
    Armywife Member Posts: 451 Member
    #4
    Piglets

    Those are two pretty amazing choices of treatment centers!  I can't speak to either, but just wanted to welcome you.  My cancer was found with just a plain old pipelle biopsy.

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #5
    Different centers have different expertise

    I go to Sloan Kettering for my appendix cancer care.  They see more rare cancers.  JH is superb (and starting to see appendix cancers as well) but the more uncommon cancers go to cancer specialty centers.  If JH has specialists in your cancer, then you should be good there.  Convenience does play into things (tho I travel 175 miles each way for my scans/checkups)

  • PigletsMD
    PigletsMD Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2018 #6
    Thank you so much for your

    Thank you so much for your responses!  This is such a helpful and caring community.  

    Yes, I skipped a month and then a few weeks later, after a Pap smear, spotting started and has continued for about a month. 

    I will try to take a deep breath.  I really appreciate all of the advice.  

     

     

  • pato58
    pato58 Member Posts: 120 Member
    #7
    piglets,

    when I had the results of my biopsy, grade 2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma, the first thing I asked my regular gyn if he thought I should go to Sloan (I live in S. Jerssey) and he said that IT WAS NOT REALLY NECESSARY as we have good Drs in our area. My endometrial thickening was borderline, 5mm, and my hystology type was not very agressive. With that said, if you can make an appt directly with a gyn-onc, I would think it is the best way. In any case, ask to go directly to a hysterescopy with D&C and according to the results you can decide to be treated locally (if you do not mind, where in the east coast do you live?) or not. Sloan and JH have both excellent reputations.
    I was treated at Cooper-Anderson. Take care and let us know

  • PigletsMD
    PigletsMD Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2018 #8
    Should I ask for a hysteroscopy instead?

    Thank you, pato58!  I hear where you are coming from.  I was wondering what you all thought if I just ask for a hysteroscopy instead of the sonohysterogram?

    Can a hysteroscopy accompany an in-office endometrial biopsy? 

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    #9
    PigletsMD said:

    Should I ask for a hysteroscopy instead?

    Thank you, pato58!  I hear where you are coming from.  I was wondering what you all thought if I just ask for a hysteroscopy instead of the sonohysterogram?

    Can a hysteroscopy accompany an in-office endometrial biopsy? 

    D&C

    My opinion:  Go directly to D&C. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Endometrial biopsies rarely tell you anything meaningful, often do not get enough tissue, and I’m not exaggerating HURT LIKE HELL!  

  • pato58
    pato58 Member Posts: 120 Member
    #10
    PigletsMD said:

    Should I ask for a hysteroscopy instead?

    Thank you, pato58!  I hear where you are coming from.  I was wondering what you all thought if I just ask for a hysteroscopy instead of the sonohysterogram?

    Can a hysteroscopy accompany an in-office endometrial biopsy? 

    Dear piglets

    Sonohysterogram is more appropiate for polyps, I believe. Go ask directly for hysteroscopy with D&C.
    Regular endometrial biopsy is very random. 
    Let us know :)

  • PigletsMD
    PigletsMD Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2018 #11
    Dissemination of Endometrial Cells

    Thank you for the advice!  I will ask about the D&C and the hysteroscopy.  For all of these procedures, should I be worried about the disseminarion of cancerous endometrial cells?

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/17610939/?i=2&from=/17689177/related

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/17689177/

     

  • pato58
    pato58 Member Posts: 120 Member
    #12
    PigletsMD said:

    Dissemination of Endometrial Cells

    Thank you for the advice!  I will ask about the D&C and the hysteroscopy.  For all of these procedures, should I be worried about the disseminarion of cancerous endometrial cells?

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/17610939/?i=2&from=/17689177/related

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/17689177/

     

    I hear you

    It is controversial and I had the same thoughts as you.

    https://peoplebeatingcancer.org/articlehysteroscopy-may-disseminate-endometrial-cancer-cells/


    In the past, upon hysterectomy, they used to cut the uterus inside for easy extraction using morcellation and they discovered this could disseminate cancerous cells.


    I wish I could give you a clearer picture.

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