Looking for options - Atypical Complex Endometiral Hyperplasia

Hi - I am new, but would love someone to talk to about my diagnosis. I am 43, unmarried but have a wonderful man in my life, have never had children but have now been diagnosed with Complex Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia and told that I need a hysterectomy.

I of course want a second opinion as I am not ready to give up my uterus! My fertility is waning, but I'd still like to try IVF before I give up entirely.

I'm wondering if there is anyone else out there who has had this diagnosis but who has refused the hysterectomy and tried the progesterone therapy first. I've been reading articles about it, and did mention it to the doctors here but they did not seem too excited about it.

I live in Paris so if anyone else out there is Europe based I'd love to hear from you as I am wondering if the culture is more conservative medically then elsewhere. I did call my old gyn in London who also said that with this kind of diagnosis, she would also strongly recommend a hysterectomy. My old gyn from NYC is on vacation...

They've scheduled me for an MRI in the next couple of weeks, in the meantime I'm scared, confused and obsessed with this issue. My boyfriend and I were out to dinner last night with a bunch of his friends, one of whom is pregnant. When I looked up and saw him touching her stomach I silently wept as I couldn't help but think that I'll never be able to give him that gift. He's quite a bit younger than I am, so has a great bright future in front of him...but he loves me and doesn't want to lose me.

Anyway, any advice, thoughts, etc would be much appreciated!! Any recommendations for Drs in Europe would be great too - would love a second and even third opinion.

Thank you thank you...

Paris2012

Paris

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

A key item is 'with atypia' or 'without atypia'. Complex hyperplasia with atypia is considered to be pre-cancer. In younger women some drs will try megace to see if they can temporarily reverse, have the woman get pregnant and do the hysterectomy at time of delivery.

Some women will do egg harvesting and go for surrogacy.

You don't mention how you were diagnosed (endometrial biopsy or D&C), with a biopsy there is a chance that there is early stage cancer present. That is the challenge....early stage cancer could be there. My gyn-onc said if you put the same slide in front of 10 pathologists...7 may see complex hyperplasia with atypia and 3 may see early stage cancer or vice versa.

If you feel like you can handle it stop by our Cancer Concerns forum, there are women there who have had your exact diagnosis. You can searchfor their threads or start a new one with your questions.