EndoCa: Help

I was diagnosed with endometriod adenocarcinoma type 1 of uterus after d and c , as I had abnormal bleeding for around 4 months before d and c , gynoch adviced total abdominal hysterectomy with tube and ovary and was told its very early stage and nothing to worry *MRI said stage 1a , surgery was done on July 17 th 2012 and Iam recovering . Day after the surgery surgeon said all went well and won't need any further treatment mostly. today histology report came and it says figo stage 1-11 with peritoneal deposits , no lympho vascular metastasis , iliac lymph nodes show degenerative and reactive changes but no signs of metastasis , peritoneal nodule shows moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma compatible with endometrial origin. The docs office said I might need further treatment as all boxes don't tick and it's unusual in my age 40 . What is happening , what is this peritoneal nodule , what does it mean , do I have cancer out side my uterus now , I read some where pelvic and aortic nodes have to be removed mine only illiac was checked .*

New update
Consultant discussed results , says it was a stage 1 cancer at the time of surgery but during surgery he found some nodules in the pelvis and when they were send for biopsy to his surprise *it seems to be cancerous . There are no spread through lymph nodes or through the muscles , seems to be unusual . He thinks probable reason could be cancer cells travelled through the tubes to the pelvis . They have ref us to another hospital for further assessment and says may need further treatment . When I asked the stage they say it's still 1 to 2 but coz of this deposits out side for treatment reasons they would say 3 . What does all this mean . Has any body experienced this . what are my chances .
Next appointment is*with a clinical oncologist. They are still confused and debating on what to do cause of the way the cells have gone out of uterus. saying they have never seen a case like this when it's stage 1 a there is peritoneal deposits. has any one been in similar situation*

ammu

I am sorry to hear you have received a cancer diagnosis and joined our club. First thing to do is take a deep breath.

It is possible for cancer cells to travel through the fallopian tubes. One way, besides visual inspection, for the Dr to determine this is to do what is called a pelvic wash. This is a saline solution in the abdominal cavity to check for cells. Sounds like yours were caught visually.

Although the Dr gave you some indication of your staging full, actual staging is not complete until the pathology report is read after the surgery.
There are several women here who found they had a more invasive cancer after surgery. The stage indicates that the cancer has spread, since they found nodules outside the uterus it is a stage 3

Once you meet with the gyn-oncologist (at least I hooe it is a gyn-oncologist) you will know if they feel it is necessary to go back and sample more lymph nodes and what yiur course of treatment will be.

as you start your journey.

Hi Thanks for replying. The surgery was done by gyn onco surgeon . He said since the results before surgery indicated type 1 stage 1 a utrine adenocarcinoma he never expected anything more , but during surgery he saw nodules on peritoneum , he did a pelvic wash and illiac node sampling , patho report found no cancer cells . The only area where patho found cells were in the peritoneal nodules . So he is nw ref us to a clinical onco to look into more adjuvant therapy. Iam concerned because some sites I read para aortic and pelvic nodes are the ones they test but mine the illiac nodes were the ones tested . When I ask him the stage he still says 1 and 2 but for treatment may be 3 . It's very confusing the fact that peritoneal wash was negative ,because the answers u get are never straight forward .

Hi Ammunition,

My situation isn't exactly the same as yours but close so I thought I'd share what I've gone through. I was diagnosed with Endo cancer Stage 1 Grade 2 back in Jan 2012 after D & C. I had a hysterectomy in Feb, which went well and the cancer was contained to the uterus. When I got my Path report 2 weeks later, the nodes taken were all negative but the pelvic wash was positive for spread of cancer cells. This was believed to have been as a result of the hysteroscopy during the D & C spreading cells out into my Fallopian tubes.

My Gyn/onc gave me the choice of doing nothing or having three rounds of Chemo. I chose to do the Chemo even though I was still considered at stage 1a. I saw it more as stage 3 myself due to the cells being spread into the pelvic area. Some people may disagree with that and choose no further treatment. My doctor may even have thought it was overkill, I don't know.

But I know for me I needed to do that. I didn't want to regret sometime down the road that I didn't do all I could. In your case, that is kind of a strange thing-the positive nodule but negative pelvic wash. It is kind of confusing. I wish you the best with whatever way you and your doctor decide to go.

Hugs and blessings!

ammu

From what I am seeing in my searches the iliac lymph nodes are considered part of the pelvic lymph nodes but comfirm that with your dr

Hi Sweetie,

I am sorry you face this dx and the confusion re possible lymph nodes involved, etc. Perhaps the oncologist will provide more specific information and I would ask him as well as your gyn/onc re any questions you may have including re the research findings you've found on lymph nodes, etc. We always have to be our own best advocates and good doctors will listen and explain things further when asked.

It seems your doctors are focused on seeking the best post-op treatment for your case. At the same time there is nothing wrong with seeking other opinions from gyn/onc re your case if you still feel ver confused, etc.. (Note: there are national cancer treatment centers in the US and if you are near one, this may be another avenue to consider, just click here for more info: http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramural/cancercenters

I believe you and your doctors will determine and chose the best treatment for your case. I'm sending many positive thoughts your way and will keep you in prayer too.

: