Cancer diagnosis after hysterectomy?

Hi, everybody. I just joined Hyster Sisters yesterday and I'm having my hysterectomy July 9th. I went from bad pap to bad colposcopy to bad LEEP results between March/May. W/CIN-3/HSIL going to the margins, he gave me 'one choice' - hysterectomy. I'm okay w/it and getting ready both physically and mentally. I have a question though: were any of you diagnosed w/cervical cancer after the hysterectomy biopsies, even though you were told that 'everything was okay' prior? Did any of you get told 'vaginal hysterectomy' and then have it switch to abdominal and wake up surprised? Is it 'normal' for him to say he's also taking a part of the vaginal area out (but not my ovaries?)........

I think I'm psyching myself out about the whole deal, so I know you will all set me straight. Bless you all. This is an amazing website..................

dear elefante64...sorry about all the worrying you must be doing right now. those are all great questions that you can discuss with your doctor. are you having your surgery performed by a gyne/oncologist...you will see on this forum that is what is highly recommended if there is any suspicion of cancer (you can avoid a second surgery if cancer is found). i think that the diagnosis can change after surgery when pathology results are in. i also think i have heard of other cases where the type of surgery has changed from vaginal to abdominal, depending on what is found. i hope others will be along soon to answer your questions more accurately.

i wish you well with your surgery and i hope you have a good outcome. let us know how you are doing. don't forget to do the important things after surgery: breathing exercises (for your lungs), walking when able to (for the gas pains and to prevent blood clots), etc., etc., and lots of rest and pampering when you get home (no lifting, vacuuming, etc.). come here to vent any time!

Thank you for your knowledge, 'nogreatmischief'.... I do appreciate it! I like the idea of walking. I've been trying to get lots of exercise before the operation in one week. Hopefully that will help in my recovery walking, too.

I do have a good ob/gyn guy. Without him I wouldn't have my 'ornery 14-yr-old'.........had a cerclage to save that one, as my cervix was already 'weak' long ago..... At that time he said my cervix was very unsual looking and wondered if my mom had taken DES. I'll definitely keep you posted and thanks again for writing.............

Elefante64 - I wish you the best in this difficult time. I have a wonderful ob/gyn, but I still went to a gyn/onc when the cancer was found after the LEEP. He performed the surgery and my ob/gyn assisted. You really should seek the opinion of a gyn/onc.

The reason they leave the ovaries with cervical cancer is that this type of cancer does not travel to the ovaries. Each cancer has its own path that it travels so the ovaries can be left intact.

I had to consent to the abdominal surgery eventhough he had every intention of doing the LAVH. He stated the reasons it could end up as abdominal were adhesions, if they found something else with the uterus that made the vaginal impossible, or if he saw something that would necessitate taking out the ovaries.

I wish you all the best! None of us wants to be here, but there are lots of wonderful women here that provide great information and support.

Thanks so much for writing. My LEEP was 'okay' but unclear margins...........and 'benign' and so I keep telling myself everything will be great, but one never knows what's lurking inside the cervix. I appreciate your good thoughts. One more week........next Monday is my 'big day' and I can't wait. When you consented to abdominal did you still get the LAVH or did you know it would be abdominal for sure? I understand consenting to both.........the OB joked about not wanting to wake me up in the midst of surgery to say he had to switch his game plan! Again, many thanks for your words of support.

My ovaries were left at the time of my hysterectomy due to my age and the fact that the gyn/onc believed I would have 10 good years left with my ovaries. I am having difficulty now, but am dealing with that as I've posted on other threads. I was supposed to have the hysterectomy done laprascopically, however, the doc was having many problems due to my small stature and had to switch to abdominal. What was supposed to be a 3 hour surgery turned into a 7 hour surgery and I ended up losing quite a bit of blood. Just the way my surgery went and definitely not the way everyone's will go! We are all different!

I am sure things will go quite smoothly for you! Relax this week! Let us know how you're doing and how we can help you!

Wow, what an experience you had. I'm 55 and my ovaries are 'very small' (pronounced thus at an ultrasound); I know the doc will do as he must. Thanks for the good wishes and I'll definitely write back after next Monday's surgery. I am learning from all the posts that the waiting is the most excruciating part. Tomorrow is my pre-op......so that's something to anticipate. Again, many thanks for your help. I think it's time to go out for a walk..........

I still had the LAVH and am glad I did. I have four small incisions and they have healed nicely! Sending your way. Remember to pamper the princess!