What are some signs for recurrent Endo. Cancer?

Can anyone answer what would be some of the symptoms of a recurrence besides vaginal bleeding. I have noticed not too many recurrences listed here and was just wondering what might be some of the signs to look out for.

I did a bad thing and started searching the internet on Endometrial Carcinoma and have sat here for hours reading about statistics and studies. I find this the worst because "cancerhead" kicks in. I have been told by doctors - STAY OFF THE INTERNET but sometimes I can't help it. So much for getting out of work early today for the holiday

-Jeannie

Gio, I wish someone would answer your question, because I'd like to know, too. My TAH/BSO for endometrial cancer was 3 wks. ago. The doc (gyn/onc) only took ONE node. It was clear, but that's only ONE. I'm a 1b, 2, so I'm a bit worried. Docs say no need for radiation. But people with better stageing and grading than I have had radiation. I'm confused for now, and fear there are nodes with ca cells in them.
***I notice that there's an error in my little line at the bottom of my post, saying that I'm a 1a, grade2.
Actually, I am a 1b, grade2. I can't figure out how to change that.******Help!

Hi Gio and LA41950,

My oncology surgeon has me scheduled for a visit every 3 months the first 3 years, then every 6 months the next two years. She'll do a really serious pelvic and take pap smears of the sides of the vagina. I guess most recurrences at the vaginal cuff, the new end of the vagina that she made at the time of the surgery. She'll also get periodic CAT scans of the pelvis and abdomen. My understanding is this, or some schedule like it, is the usual followup. Some places I have seen every 6 months the first 3 years.

I'll also get that blood test, the CA-125 at the time of each visit. There are other things that can make that number go up, but an elevation over 35 is a sign of possible tumor activity.

The other signs that we would see are unfortunately kind of vague, could be from other things: a dry cough that doesn't go away, leg swelling, abdominal bloating. And as you mentioned, of course any vaginal bleeding. There may be other things I don't know about.

The good news is, the risk of recurrence for endometrial cancer drops over time. My surgeon feels if women don't recur in 3 years, there is a very small risk of recurrence later. Not 0, but very low.

LA--About changing your signature line: on the home page, in the same line where it says "welcome LA41950," click on "Profile" On the Profile page, click on "Edit Profile" Then just scroll down to your signature line and edit away.

Hope this helps and Happy New Year!

Michele

Hi, Jeannie and LA,

Since I haven't yet put away the recent endometrial cancer radiation study by Keys et al. (GOG-99) that I had pulled out to refer to on another thread, I'll give you a little information on recurrences that I took from a table published in the study, which might be somewhat responsive to your question.

There were two groups of patients in the study, those who received whole pelvic radiation therapy and those who received no additional treatment after hysterectomy for stage 1 and stage 2 (occult) endometrial cancer. Of the 190 women assigned to the radiation therapy group, 13 experienced recurrences. Of the 202 women assigned to the no additional therapy group, 31 experienced recurrences. The local recurrences were in the vagina and pelvis. The distant recurrence sites were listed as: retroperitoneal, abdominal, lung, bone, inguinal, brain and spine.

Although I posted a link to an Oncolink research summary discussing this study on the other thread, I'll provided it again, in the event you want to read some additional information about it.

http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu/librar...=2&s=25&id=763

I suspect that the above list of potential recurrence sites should give you some idea of the type of symptoms you should be looking for and reporting to your gynecologic oncologist.

LA, I would suggest you ask your gyn-onc what your risk of recurrence is both with and without radiation. The above study concluded that many of the women in the low intermediate-risk group were in fact at a very low risk for recurrence, unlike myself, who had risk factors for recurrence that put me in the study's high intermediate-risk group.

Best wishes for a healthy, happy 2005!

Take care,

MoeKay

Moe Kay & Opposite
Thanks for the info. I guess one of my main concerns is the leg swelling I have. The day before thanksgiving - the doctor ordered a cat scan and it did not show cancer. I just can't wipe this out of my mind though. I was told a mild case of lymphadema but "cancerhead" kicks in and I tell my self what if they read it wrong. Ok I know they are the professionals. It has not gotten worse but not gotten better. I am starting therapy for my leg in Jan. just want to make sure I am keeping an eye out for all signs.

Happy New Year!!

-Jeannie.

Hi, I'm new to the board and I too was wondering about the signs. I was told by the oncologist however to just live my life and not worry about it. Easier said than done. In my case he fibroid was a grade 1 and the endometrial curettage was a grade II. I did not have radiation or chemo. Oncologist did not see a need for it. They disected 20 lymph nodes and they were all negative. I will see the GYN every 3 months for 3 yrs and then every 6 months for 2 yrs and if there is no recurrence then I would be considered cured.

I'm so glad to have found this site. It is nice to touch base with othe that have the same concerns.