My mom has Serous endometrial carcinoma

Welcome starryeyes22. Sorry to hear about your mother. I had serous carcinoma diagnosis 6 1/2 years ago. There are a lot of survivors here. Good for you for looking for a good cancer center. I am on the West coast so cannot recommend to you. But there are many. Don't read any studies that are older than about 5 years. Treatment has improved greatly. Feel free to ask questions. Read about hysterectomies here. Waiting will be really hard. Keep your Mother busy. We are here for you.

In 2009 I was 65 yrs old, lived in the Midwest, and was post-menopausal with a slight vaginal discharge that looked a bit like cafe au lait. I requested my PCP to perform a very thorough PAP test. That showed evidence of cancer cells. I asked to be referred to a gyecologic oncologist for a D&C. That procedure found Type I endometrial cancer cells. I had a complete abdominal hysterectomy with removal of uterus, fallopian tubes, 9 lymph nodes, and my ovaries but not the omentum. When I was discharged from the hospital, the surgeon told me that the pelvic wash looked clean and that I would not need further treatment. At my post-surgery check-up a few weeks later, I was told that an additional cancer - UPSC, a Type II cancer - had been found in a polyp in the lower region of my uterus when the slides from my surgery were reviewed. I was told that I would need to begin chemotherapy very soon because UPSC was considered "very aggressive and highly recurrent".

I quickly did my own research on further Tx (treatment) and asked my PCP for her thoughts. I also contacted a gyn/oncologist I knew in Germany - a breast cancer specialist. He got a second opinion for me from a top gyn/onc at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota who specialized in endometrial cancers. I traveled to Oklahoma City for another second opinion from a UPSC specialist there who was conducting clinical trials. Both second opinion doctors recommended that I add brachytherapy to the chemotherapy. Please do not hesitate to contact doctors on your own, but try to enlist help from your mother's doctors and from friends and acquaintances.

I returned to the surgeon (bringing the two second opinion reports) and asked to add brachytherapy. He sent me to a radiologist who scheduled my brachytherapy. I had a port (a Groshong catheter) placed in my upper chest in anticipation of chemotherapy infusions. I was able to have 6 rounds of Carboplatin/Taxol chemo with 3 rounds of brachytherapy "sandwiched in" between the 3rd and 4th rounds of chemotherapy. My chemo infusions took place every 3 weeks without any breaks needed, but my counts steadily dropped. I would have needed a break or some "additional help" if any additional chemo rounds had been needed. I was followed for about 6 years once my treatment concluded. More frequently at first and then annually.

I have had no further need for endometrial cancer treatment.

Remember, this was a number of years ago, and new treatments and drugs have been developed. I wish you and your mother every success. I was very grateful to have my daughter with me at all my appointments and to discuss my questions and concerns all along my journey with endometrial cancer.

Hi starryeyes22 - I have the very same diagnosis as your Mom, and a daughter in her 30s, too. I was staged at 3B after a 'radical' hysterectomy. I had six rounds of chemo (not too bad, although I didn't like being bald) and then 25 rounds of radiation (pretty awful by the end!). Since then, Herceptin every 3 weeks because my cancer is receptive to estrogen, as I understand it.

After more than a year of no symptoms, gaining weight back and feeling good, the cancer seems to have metastasized into my lungs. However, it's growing very, very slowly so far, and I'm holding off on resuming chemo for as long as I can.

I love that you said your Mom is your best friend! I know you will be there for each other through this. There is a lot of support available. People (even strangers) gave me caps and scarves, cards and love, and your love for each other has healing strength, I believe! I only just discovered this message board, but there is a lot of wisdom here! 😊

I wish you and your Mom the best, and hope you'll let us know how you both are doing.

oops, I forgot to mention I'm 65 today so it's been 2 years of treatments. I'm in surveillance now.

Happy birthday! I hope you did something special just for you!