Radical Hysterectomy Decision

ladybug6
ladybug6 Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi,

I was diagnosed with uterine cancer after it metastasized. The gynecological oncologist did a biopsy of the tumor, but decided against a hysterectomy. He wanted me to start chemotherapy immediately. The chemo put the cancer in remission. Now I am watching and waiting. Doctors seem split on whether to do a hysterectomy. When I am strong enough I want to undergo the surgery. Is there anyone else who is in a similar situation or faced a similar decision with ovarian cancer? Is there anyone who still has their ovaries after treatment? I am puzzled by the doctor's hesitation and hope you can shed some light from your own experiences. Thank you for your help.

Best wishes & God Bless,

Janet

Comments

  • pshnyc
    pshnyc Member Posts: 45
    Dear LadyBug,

    Who did your surgery -- an obgyn or a gyne onc surgeon? What stage was your cancer?

    I was dx with Stage 1 ovarian cancer in April 01. AT the time, a hysterectomy was not performed because the cancer was contained within one ovary, it was a surprise to find it so I hadn't even met with the gyne surgeon and I was getting married in two months. I had 6 rounds of chemo - carbo/taxol. About 10 months after chemo, I went in for an elective complete hysterectomy. My feeling was and is if you're not going to use the equipment, take it out!

    Good luck.

    pshnyc
  • ladybug626
    ladybug626 Member Posts: 25
    pshnyc said:

    Dear LadyBug,

    Who did your surgery -- an obgyn or a gyne onc surgeon? What stage was your cancer?

    I was dx with Stage 1 ovarian cancer in April 01. AT the time, a hysterectomy was not performed because the cancer was contained within one ovary, it was a surprise to find it so I hadn't even met with the gyne surgeon and I was getting married in two months. I had 6 rounds of chemo - carbo/taxol. About 10 months after chemo, I went in for an elective complete hysterectomy. My feeling was and is if you're not going to use the equipment, take it out!

    Good luck.

    pshnyc

    Dear pshnyc,

    Thank you for sharing your experience. My uterine cancer is stage IV. A gyne onc surgeon performed the biopsy. It guess it was wise to delay surgery. It was too late to contain it. 5 rounds of Taxol/Carbo put it into remission. Tumor markers look good. Uterus looks normal on ct-scan. Even if the tumor is dead, I want it out. The onc is in no hurry to do a hysterectomy. He left it as a future option. I hope another opinion will help. It is good to know that someone else did the treatment before the surgery. Thank You.

    Best Wishes,
    Ladybug