EndoCa: Why do follow ups include paps?

I am still pre op -- spoke with the surgeon yesterday and asked if he would remove the cervix also. I pretty sure he said yes. So I don't understand why you would have a pap done after hysterectomy
Thanks for any info.

What kind of cancer did you have, cervical or endometrial?

In the case of cervical cancer, the causative agent is HPV, which can come back (rarely) on the vaginal wall. You will still be monitored to make sure that doesn't happen or that your doctor can catch it and treat it before it turns to cancer.

In the case of endometrial cancer, the most common place for cancer to recur is on the vaginal cuff, where your doctor must sew the top of the vagina where the cervix used to be.
I had endometrial cancer, so my doctor gives me a pap smear right on the vaginal cuff to ensure that everything is ok in that area.

Hope that helps........good luck with your hysterectomy!

Additionally, go forbid, there are vaginal cancers too.

Sunflash
Thank you for helping understand! Now why couldn't my surgeon have told me in such a clear, easy to understand way? I was diagnosed last week with grade 1 endometrial adenocarcinoma and will have the surgery on June 25. The surgeon was willing to wait a month. Am I rushing things? I just feel I want to get this behind me asap. You are about 1 year post op? Do you recommend the Da Vinci type surgery? My surgeon said he would do laparascopic. Is that the same thing? Thanks for your reply and your good wishes.

Thanks tauruslady,
I didn't realize that paps could be done for vaginal cancers. I am learning so much here!

Hi Misty,
Grade 1 adenocarcinoma is generally a slow growing cancer (grade 1 is the best!) and one month shouldn't make a difference. But I'm with you......the sooner they get it out the better!
Is your doctor a gyno/oncologist? I HIGHLY recommend having this type of doctor perform your surgery. They're the experts and know what to look for and how to safely and effectively remove all organs (in my case uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries) in a manner that doesn't involve cutting where cancer can spread.
If your doctor isn't a gyno/oncologist, I would ask for a second opinion with one. Even though my doctor was a prominent gyn/onc, I asked for a second opinion just to ensure two doctors agreed on my treatment. It didn't delay my treatment at all.

I had my hysterectomy DaVinci, and all organs were removed vaginally completely intact. The surgeon inserts a small camera via a port where everything is magnified and he/she can have a clear look around to see if any sign of cancer spread is visible. Then lymph nodes may be removed for sampling and a pelvic wash performed to test for any cancer cells floating around in there.
I don't know if all laprascopic surgeries are DaVinci or not, that would be a good question for your doc. But my doctor told me that the key is getting an EXPERIENCED doctor doing the DaVinci hysterectomy. I'd also ask how many your doctor has done. All good discussion points, and you have time to get your questions answered!

I had the DaVinci back in Feb. for stage 1a Grade 2 Endo cancer. It went very well and I recovered from it in about 2 weeks and feel great now! I hope your surgery goes well and you have a good path report and quick and easy recovery,too!

You have received excellent information! I had my surgery a year ago; my gyn/onco only would perform the traditional TAH--lucky you to have a different proceedure!
I agree that the surgery should be performed by an oncologist. The extra years of training help the doctor identify signs of the progress of cancer and determine which further proceedures are needed during surgey. Fortunately, since your cancer is stage 1 you will probably not need to have lymph nodes removed.
I am a school teacher and was diagnosed last April. Like you, I wanted to have surgery ASAP to rid myself of the beast. The doctor reassured me that I would be safe waiting until the end of the school year to have surgery. Are you rushing things? Why wait? As you may read in other posts, the waiting is sometimes very difficult!
Good luck to you! Please keep us informed of your progress!

Thanks to all of you - it helps so much to hear that things are going well for you that have already "walked a mile in my shoes". I will keep reading and hoping that I have the same favorable experience. The surgeon is a gyn oncologist - he is extremely booked at all times so I will assume he is very experienced. I just wish I liked him better. He wasn't rude or dismissive --just very clinical - not warm like my gyn. I guess that's necessary in his position. You hystersisters are the best!

Glad to hear he's experienced and a gyn/onc! Sounds like you're in good hands!
Warm personality is a plus......but an experienced gyn/onc would trump the bedside manner, at least in my book!

Wishing you the best!