Using oestrogen-HRT after endometrioid ovarian cancer

Hi all,

A few days ago, I underwent a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy after discovery of an endometrioid adenocarcinoma in my right ovary (low grade, stage 1A). I also have significant endometriosis, much of which was also removed during the procedure.

As I am not yet 40 years old, my gynecological oncologist has put me on the Estradot patch (25mg). I am conflicted about this, as the literature on using oestrogen therapy with endometrioid ovarian cancer is sparse. There is no strong evidence that it significantly increases your risk of ovarian cancer recurrence, however there are definite associations between NOT replacing oestrogen and osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease risk (amongst other pathologies).

Obviously I don't want to increase my risk of cancer recurrence, but I also don't want to increase my risk of early mortality due to decreased bone density and/or CVD, or even dementia. I'm finding it really difficult to weigh these risks and I can't get in to see a menopause specialist/endocrinologist until early April.

Can anyone offer any advice in the interim? Thank you for reading!

and to HysterSisters!

We're glad you found us and joined, and hope it helps to come here for support and information. To help you get started on this site, your thread has been moved here to the Introduce Yourself forum.

We have a forum called Cancer Concerns where you can get the best input for questions that you have for your particular situation. Members can respond there to share from experience. Any recovery questions that you have can be asked by starting a new thread on the Post-Op Hysterectomy Support message board, and there is information to help in the Post-Op Page and Checkpoints to help with common questions and concerns. Connect with your surgery week HysterSisters on this thread to share recovery updates and friendship.

When you have a moment and feel up to it, please complete your Member Survey using this link: Member Survey . After completing it, click the "Send Answers" button at the bottom of that page.

Best wishes to you for your recovery!