Pathology report shows pre-cancerous cells

I had my surgery on 1/22 and my 2 week post-op yesterday. At first, it was pretty much what I had expected - fibroids and adenomyosis (sp?). What I didn't expect was for them to find pre-cancerous cells. Naturally, I was stunned when the dr. told us that and couldn't for the life of me think of any questions at the time.

Now I'm wondering what this means in regard to the fact that I still have my ovaries. I had cervical cancer in the late 80's and now this. Anybody know what the odds are? The specialist wasn't concerned. But my GP was worried about him leaving my ovaries for just that reason. He said ovarian cancer is much more difficult to detect without a uterus.

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!
Chris

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s Chris

Congrats to you. It certainly sounds as though surgery took care of your cancer and no further treatment is necessary.
About your GP's claim that ovarian cancer is harder to detect without a uterus.
I believe ovarian cancer is always difficult to detect. With or without a uterus. In the past 16 months I have learned a great deal about ovarian cancer and have never heard this.
But if it is a concern for you, request an occasional ultrasound as well as a recto-vaginal exam. This is the method used to best palpate ovaries.
Best wishes to you.

karenann

My oncologist told me that there was no relationship between cervical and ovarian cancer. He also said that ovarian cancer is extremely difficult to catch early anyway. Rumor is that they will have a detection test for ovarian cancer in about 2 years. Maybe others know more about this. My oncologist thought that if my ovaries were still working, which they are I should keep them.

Congratulation on getting everything out!!

Hi Chris,

I've never heard that ovarian cancer is more difficult to detect without a uterus, just that, as Karenann mentioned, it is difficult to detect ovarian cancer under any circumstances.

However, as Denise mentioned, there is a test being developed for ovarian cancer. Some researchers at the FDA are working on a blood test. They did the same for prostate cancer and the results so far look excellent. The test screens for a panel of proteins that are made when a cancer is present, but are less common or not made when there is no cancer. They're putting the diagnostic test through it's trials and hopefully we'll see it on the market relatively soon.

Chicklet

Hi Chris!

Sending lots of 's your way.

I'm so glad to hear that your surgery took care of things and that these cells were found so early. Everything happens for a reason

I'm with the rest of the gals, I've never heard of it described quite that way either. Ovarian is just hard to detect in general.

What you might do is once the operative report and pathology report come in, get a copy and see another specialist for another opinion. Never a bad idea to get numerous medical opinions.

I hope your recovery is going well and you're feeling good. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

{{hugs}}

Vicki