Have pre-cancer cells should i have hysterectomy?

Hi - I will be scheduling a hysterectomy in the next few weeks, but I'm unsure of what the dr. will be removing. When I had a biopsy the dr. said I had pre-cancer cells and that I would need a hysteroscopy to determine if there was cancer anywhere else. I had the hysteroscopy and there is no cancer. Because they found pre-cancer cells on my uterus, my dr. recommends having a hysterectomy and removing uterus, ovaries, cervix. A friend of mine says you should never have your ovaries removed unless they find cancer. She said, you will be sorry if they are removed. I am 56, and have gone through menopause. Please give advice, I need it! Thanks!

Rednim -

I am sorry to hear that you heard the word "cancer" or pre-cancer associated with your condition.

Usually pre-cancer is concerned to be complex hyperplasia with atypia. It has a higher % chance of turning into actual cancer than without atypia.

Because the type of cancer that usually comes from this condition is considered to be estrogen fed the Drs. usually want to remove the ovaries as well. There are some Drs. who will leave the ovaries in younger women depending on the stage and if they are trying to do egg harvesting.

If you aren't seeing a gynecological oncologist, I would recommend that you talk to one and get their opinion.

Also we have a great Cancer Concerns forum and you are welcome to post there and get the perspectives of the women who have and are walking your path. Many women had a pre-cancer diagnosis and after their surgery the pathologist read it to be early stage cancer. Unfortunately pathology is as much art as science. One sees pre-cancer and another sees early stage cancer.

They will definitely remove your uterus and cervix (which is part of the uterus). Due to your age I would say there is a high likelihood they will also take the ovaries.

One note - even though you have post-menopausal the ovaries still secrete a little hormones. Some post-menopausal women find that they start experiencing menopause symptoms again after surgery.

I hope this is where I reply. I had my hysterectomy on 21/1 both ovaries removed. Reason being I had pre cancerous cell high grade. Pathology after the hysterectomy shows cancer, good news op got it all. I am very relieved I had the hysterectomy now but remember at the time wondering if it was all necessary. Talk some more to your doctor especially about your ovaries.I am 52 but had not gone through menopause yet apart from a few night sweats I have not had any menopause symptoms but i know its early days yet. As my doctor said to me on the phone he and I are going to be new best friends and we will sort the probs we come to, so make your doctor your best friend and hopefully he or she can help you make an imformed decision