cervical and vaginal cancer with severe fibroids

My little world was alright until a couple of month ago when I decided to see the doc because my menstruations got too heavy and painful. After all sorts of exams she told me I have severe fibroid tumors in the uterus that were affecting the left ovary and I would need to come back for the results of the biopsies. When I came back she told me they found cancerous cells in the cervix and vagina and they appear to spread. She recommends to have my uterus, left ovary, cervix and the vagina up to the exit of the urether removed. Although I am terrified by any surgery, I wouldn't have a problem loosing my uterus, an ovary and the cervix as she said the remaining ovary would do the job and I don't want kids. Getting rid of these painful menstruations would be an added benefit. What freaks me out is that I practically loose my entire vagina as the urether is just behind the vaginal opening. Another thing that worries me is that I had to come back for a biopsy of my labias. The results are not back yet, I just wonder if they could be affected too and what then!
Is there anybody who has or had the same problems?
Thanks a lot,
Tammy.

So sorry to hear this!
What kind of cervical cancer and what's the stage? Was anything ever picked up in a Pap smear?

I had squamous cell cervical cancer that was too big and too close to the vaginal wall for surgery so I have radiation and chemo. It wasn't fun, but it was doable, and I have been cancer free since July '03. I assume that you will have something after your surgery if your cancer has spread. It's a bummer, but you can do it.

Sorry I don't know anything about your surgery but I do know that it is possible to create new vaginas and also possible to expand what vagina you have left.

I am assuming that you are seeing a gyn/onc as they are the experts in this. YOu need one of them to do your surgery. A second opinion from another gyn/onc would also be a good idea since it sounds like you need rather extensive surgery.

Why are they biopsying your labia? Was there an indication of a problem there?

Keep asking questions, both us and your doctors.
Hugs and comfort,
Janie

Thanks, it happened and I have to try to deal with it.
It's squamous cells and it's in stage IIIA. They think it spread from the cervix into the vagina. I don't think a Pap smear showed it, it only came to light when I had my uterus scanned with ultrasound to find the reason for my heavy menstruations. Then they did more tests and a few biopsies.
I am sorry to hear about your cancer but I am delighted that you are free of it now.
They are fairly confident that they will catch it all when they remove as much as possible instead of removing a bit, wait and see, remove another bit and so on.
Create new Vaginas? That doesn't sound too bad but what about sensation? Well, what I'll have left is practically nothing, just the bit from the outside to the urether.
Yes, it's a specialist, your idea of a second opinion is good, I'll follow that up.
They think my upper inner labia is abnormally thick and soggy where it goes into the clitoral hood, and where it is attached to the clitoris it is discolored. I really hope this turns out to be a false alarm, it's a nightmare loosing the vagina, I want to keep something for stimulation.
I do ask my doctors, trouble is they throw latin words at me and expect that I understand what they mean. Thanks for the offer to ask here, I will.
Thanks for your reply.
Tammy.

I just learned the result of my labia biopsies. They found pre-cancerous cells on the upper part of the labia minora where it
goes into the clitoral hood. It's still in an early stage and they recommend to have my labia minora and the clitoral hood
removed, that involves removing a bit of the tip of the clitoris where the labia is attached to. Given that it is in an early stage, I'm not happy with that proposal at all. They said the lower part of my labia minora is "good" but would have no support with the upper parts removed so it must be removed too. The other aspect is a completely bare clitoris, I am half Italian and mine is quite large, I fear the sensation would be unbearable. They ruled out radiation and said the only safe way is the complete removal of these parts. I don't know what to do now, on one hand I realize that the cancer came from the cervix via the vagina and might move on, on the other hand I don't want to loose the only protection my vagina stump will have and I don't like the idea of living with a permanently exposed clitoris at all. All in all it would be a mega surgery with almost all my female parts removed. It looks more and more hopeless.

I am so sorry to hear this. Cancer is such a shock. It changes your world. I know that this is really overwhelming. Try to take it one day at a time.

Thank you, I am sorry for your condition too. Yes, it is a shock that changes everything. I have no problem with a hysterectomy, in my case it is very beneficial, but I could have done without the other problems.
Take care,
Tammy.

	Quote:
Originally posted by andydenise I am so sorry to hear this. Cancer is such a shock. It changes your world. I know that this is really overwhelming. Try to take it one day at a time.

Tammy,
I am, sorry you are going thru this. You will find lots of support and info here. There is many ways of reconstructing the vagina is that is necessary. Please make sure you are being treated by Dr's whp specialize in this type of cancer and surgery. As Janie said just take one thing at a time, and always hope for the best
You will be in my prayers

This is overwhelming, but never hopeless. I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but take it one day at a time and know that you have a cheering section right here to help you whenever you need it.

I see you're in NYC--are you going to Sloan Kettering or Mt. Sinai, or where? If you want a doctor's name for a referral, I'll be glad to supply you with my gyn'/onc. He's fabulous.

Debbie,
thanks and let me say that I am sorry for your condition too. I guess it is only for psychological reasons, other reasons to use my vagina do not apply to me. I haven't agreed to anything yet, the whole matter frightens the life out of me.
Thanks for your support,
Tammy.

	Quote:
Originally posted by shepherdpal Tammy, I am, sorry you are going thru this. You will find lots of support and info here. There is many ways of reconstructing the vagina is that is necessary. Please make sure you are being treated by Dr's whp specialize in this type of cancer and surgery. As Janie said just take one thing at a time, and always hope for the best You will be in my prayers

Thanks for your support. I am sorry for your condition too. Yes, I'll try to do that.
I'm with Queens Hospital Center, they are associated with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, it's all new and huge and they seem to have excellent docs.
Thanks again,
take care,
Tammy.

	Quote:
Originally posted by stella blue This is overwhelming, but never hopeless. I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but take it one day at a time and know that you have a cheering section right here to help you whenever you need it. I see you're in NYC--are you going to Sloan Kettering or Mt. Sinai, or where? If you want a doctor's name for a referral, I'll be glad to supply you with my gyn'/onc. He's fabulous.