Maintaining fertility with cervical cancer - it is possible

walleja
walleja Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine) #1
Hello. I am a 27 year old woman who was diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in December 2002. I was told by my GYN that the only treatment option was a radical hysterectomy. But that is not true. There is a procedure called a trachelectomy whereby doctors remove the cervix and pelvic lymph nodes, but leave the uterus and a woman maintains her fertility. I felt so blessed to have found out about this procedure, that I wanted to share this information with other women. I am 13 weeks post-op and my prognosis is very good. I hope this can help someone out there.

Comments

  • Tracey
    Tracey Member Posts: 5
    #2
    I wish I new about this procedure 5 years ago when I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. Although I have been blessed with 2 daughters I still have the desire to have more children. I was only 27 when I had my hysterectomy, my husband and I planned to have 2 more kids. What is the rate of getting pregnant after this procedure?
  • walleja
    walleja Member Posts: 4
    #3
    Tracey said:

    I wish I new about this procedure 5 years ago when I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. Although I have been blessed with 2 daughters I still have the desire to have more children. I was only 27 when I had my hysterectomy, my husband and I planned to have 2 more kids. What is the rate of getting pregnant after this procedure?

    From everything I have read about the procedure and have been told by my doctors, the rate of pregnancy is somewhere around 70%. The rate of miscarriage is higher in the second and third trimester and often women need fertility treatments to conceive. My doctors have recommended that I wait one year before attempting to conceive, so hopefully I will be successful, because unlike you I did not have any children prior to my diagnosis and my husband and I hope to one day be blessed with them. This procedure is still new and a lot of gynecologist and oncologist either do not know about the procedure or just flat won't recommend it and, as a result, a lot of women never find out about it and have a hysterectomy. That is why I posted this message, in the hopes that I can help someone out there.
  • JillSue
    JillSue Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Hi! I also was diagnosed with cervical cancer in Dec. 2002. I have 1 child but my hubby and I wanted more. I did extensive research on having a trachelectomy. I was going to have one but we found out my cancer had spread to the uterine lining. So...I had to have a radical hysterectomy.
    There are only about 3 hospitals in the US who perform trachelectomies. USC, Sloan/Kettering in NYC and a place in Phoenix. For those who want children...check out this procedure. Thanks for spreading the mesage Walleja!
  • walleja
    walleja Member Posts: 4
    #5
    JillSue said:

    Hi! I also was diagnosed with cervical cancer in Dec. 2002. I have 1 child but my hubby and I wanted more. I did extensive research on having a trachelectomy. I was going to have one but we found out my cancer had spread to the uterine lining. So...I had to have a radical hysterectomy.
    There are only about 3 hospitals in the US who perform trachelectomies. USC, Sloan/Kettering in NYC and a place in Phoenix. For those who want children...check out this procedure. Thanks for spreading the mesage Walleja!

    It is definitely worth checking into for anyone diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. The procedure is most successful in women with tumors that are 2cm or less in size and the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or any other organs. My surgery was performed at USC at the Norris Cancer Hospital and the staff there was excellent. And I was able to get my insurance to cover 90% of the cost of the surgery.

    Since posting my first message I have had my first PAP & biopsy both of which came back normal. I really hope to get the word out about this procedure. Thank you, Jill Sue for sharing your story and for your positive words about the trachelectomy procedure.
  • Sharona
    Sharona Member Posts: 4
    #6
    JillSue said:

    Hi! I also was diagnosed with cervical cancer in Dec. 2002. I have 1 child but my hubby and I wanted more. I did extensive research on having a trachelectomy. I was going to have one but we found out my cancer had spread to the uterine lining. So...I had to have a radical hysterectomy.
    There are only about 3 hospitals in the US who perform trachelectomies. USC, Sloan/Kettering in NYC and a place in Phoenix. For those who want children...check out this procedure. Thanks for spreading the mesage Walleja!

    I had a trachelectomy in February. I too did extensive research on it. To my relief, there was no spread and my uterus was fine. I urge young women to explore all options and do research. Please contact me if you need info. Postalgirl@earthlink.net
  • Amata
    Amata Member Posts: 7
    #7
    I knew I could find someone. It looks like it has been over a year for you. I just had a Radical Abdominal Trachelectomy. I am hoping and praying that in the future I will be able to conceive again. please let me know how your body has changed and healed since your operations. agonzale@bloomington.k12.mn.us
  • cheekygoblin13
    cheekygoblin13 Member Posts: 1
    #8
    Hi, I have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, I'm 21 years old. I have been discussing the possibility of a trachelectomy with my consultant. I was wondering what swayed you to opt for a trachelectomy as opposed to surrogacy?

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