Hysterectomy v's radiation therapy

I've gone into menapause from the rads which I was told I would, (I would've had the ovaries taken if given a radical hysterectomy anyway). I know every woman's menapause experience is unique and different. My only thing is I am having minor hot flashes, maybe 3-4 a day, they aren't bad and don't last long. I'm guessing that since women in my family have had easy menapauses maybe that is why I am experience mine this was, not too difficult. Alot of people thought it is sad I am going to go through menapause because I am only 38, but hey, menapause or the alternative.......I'll take menapause anyday.

Dear Taffster,

Since you asked, I would think seriously about the hysterectomy. I know it sounds scary but it's possible that radiation could be harder on your body than surgery. Have you asked the doctor about the side effects of radiation?

Ultimately I would want to do what it takes to increase your chances of survival. We want you to be around for many years to come. For me, whether you have an intact uterus or not really isn't the most important thing.

Regards, Blue

I had stage 1b cervical cancer and had a radical hysterectomy, no further treatment was needed. I was under the impression that surgery was the standard procedure for stage 1 a and b , and that radiation was for larger cancers, or is recommended as a precautionary measure, after surgery. What is your gyn/onc. recommending?
I hope that you will have peace with whatever treatment you choose. Good luck and let us know how you are.
Rhonda
Radical hysterectomy, June 2002, cervical cancer, 1b

Thank you all for your kind and honest responses, you have all helped me in my decision. I went to my appt today to learn more about the radiation and by the end of the appt I had already made my decision to go with the hyster. For anyone else out there trying to make this decision, here are some of my decision points..
1. Hyster - I get to keep my ovaries, no immediate menopause so no hormone therapy needed.
2. Hyster - Recovery may be painful, but every day will get easier and I should be back to normal by wk 6 with max 5 days in hospital. Radiation side effects kick in after a few weeks of treatment. Internal rad (could be painful) 1 per wk for 4 wks after 5 wks of external radiation (every day), with side effects lasting 4+wks after treatment.. so shorter treatment time with hyster.
3. Less damage to normal tissue with the hyster. Removal of the affected area (so piece of mind that it is no longer there).

So thanks all for being there.. gaining knowledge is a great thing, I feel so much better knowing this is the right decision for me.

Hi Taffster, Firstly let me say that I'm glad you found this site. You will find a wealth of information and support here. Then you have the task of sorting through what is right for you.

Back when my original cone biopsy results came in, my oncologist wasn't certain about what they wanted to do. The results were not conclusive that the cancer had gone anywhere else. They referred my slides to a round table meeting and many oncologists had the opportunity to suggest ideas for how to treat me.

In the end, they decided to err on the side of caution and recommended the radical hysterectomy -- which I went through. The radical hyst. involved biopsy of lymph nodes.

My oncologist stressed to me that they fully expected everything to be clear but asked me to think of the surgery as a big safety check.

The short version is that my radical hysterectomy resulted in finding one positive lymph node. The cancer had jumped from the cervix to the lymph node without taking over any other area -- and yes, this was extremely unusual... and happens in less than 1% of cases such as mine. Having said that though, I have found two other people on this site with the exact same rare circumstance!

Six weeks after my surgery, I started daily radiation and weekly cisplatin treatments. It lasted 6 weeks. While it wasn't easy, it was surviveable and it would do it all again in a heartbeat for the same result.

Today, my body is healthy -- there is no evidence of disease and life is at it should be -- completely and totally normal.

While the surgery and treatments weren't a walk in the park, I have to admit that I love where I'm at now. No monthly menstrual cycle is a wonderful gift at the end of it all!

Cancer is unpredictable and does not operate under any laws of fairness. It breaks rules and doesn't care who you are. I made my decisions on the basis of that information.

I've had people ask me if I would have been upset if the surgery had found nothing -- and my answer has always been NO WAY! That kind of news would have been amazing because it would have meant that I didn't have to undergo treatments.

Good luck with your decisions. I know it isn't easy and this is a crummy situation to be in..... but hang in there.

(((Taffster)))

Just wanted to send some well wishes for your surgery now that you've made the decision. Don't forget to check over on the surgery boards for lots of good info specific to the procedure, pre/post issues, etc.

Don't forget, we're here 24/7!


monami

Hi,
I had the same grade of C/C that you have. My choice of treatment given to me was rad hysterectomy or tracheotomy. Of the two I chose, Laparoscopic Rad Hyst. I have no regrets. The recovery was fairly easy and I'm back to my same old self. Good luck in what ever you choose. I'd be happy to answer any questions. Jennifer

I have had both.
wish you all the best in your yourney!

~Taffster~
I was diagnosed with Stage O(non-invasive) cervical cancer in Nov 07. My OB-GYN recommended a hysterectomy. The cancer was involved the entire cervix and was confined to my cervix, but was cancer nonetheless. I know your's is more advanced than mine, but if I had a choice - I'd definately not made a different decision. I didn't want all those chemicals in my body, making my body confused about menopause and whatever else comes with age. Now if my cancer was invasive, I would have had to have a hysterectomy no matter what, as well as some therapy (chemo or Rad) but if you can avoid it, I would.

I just had a LAVH (left me my ovaries) last week, and a softball sized fibroid was found (2nd one in 6yrs). My hubby is concerned and is afraid the 2 are related. I was diagnosed in Oct with HPV, which led to the discovery of Cervical cancer. So many women I know who had hysterectomy for reasons other than cancer, say they have never felt better.

I'm glad that the cancer is out of my body. The way I see it chemicals/radiation might not get it all, and then it might come back. now, I'm cancer free and no worries - This redheaded-texan kicked cancer out the door.

GOOD LUCK and god bless you!!