Leiomyosarcoma: What can I expect now?

Posted by kkhersh @kkhersh, Oct 10, 2022

Diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma back in August 2021. had surgery to remove mass in upper right groin that same month. July 29th second round of CT scans showed nodules on Right upper lung - had surgery to remove those on Sept 15.
What can I expect now ? - meeting with Medical oncologist next week .

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sarcoma Support Group.

I also have leiomyosarcoma, one year survivor. I am on two support lists on Facebook. The moderators either have leiomyosarcoma or a loved one does. The lists are extremely helpful to see how others are treated, survival, advice, etc. Most state having direct access to a sarcoma specialist is essential. The center where I am treated, Karmanos in Flint, Mi. Has a social worker who had reached out and spoken to me two or three times. Both about the emotional and psychological effects of having cancer and the burden and fear of/of your spouse and caregivers, your own anxiety, etc. They also have support groups. I see my own private therapist on video weekly as I have for some years. I am a reader and researcher by nature, and I devour every word on the subject. Not everyone wants to do this. As for the inoperable- I had a ovariohystrectomy with appendectomy and removal of most of my momentum last December. They did not get clear margins. I was stage 2b until mets were found in my lungs. That automatically states you at 4. I was terrified and down-hearted until I realized how many have survived and even thrived for years with a stage 4 diagnosis. I was deemed not a candidate for further surgery also. Sometimes the tumors are in places where they can't access, at least while also keeping us alive. I was very sick, sepsis, heart failure, pneumonia, etc after my first chemo and after a lung biopsy. I pulled through and even though I could not move, was hugely bloated with fluid, and had felt I was dying one of the days during this ordeal- when the team came in and one or two suggested hospice. I became very angry and said I want to fight. I will recover and we will try something else. They had given me 2-10 weeks. I had my great pt come out. He got me up, standing, walking, I had to do the stretching and walking homework. Back and forth in this little house. I began losing fluid and weight. My oncologist was amazed and delighted at my follow up. I had genetic testing I had been pushing for. They started me on liposomal doxyrubicin, which I did tolerate. Skipping over some stuff...I ended up with radiation to both lungs, just finished yesterday. Off the chemo, taking an oral med twice a day I just started Saturday. I am of course anxious, but hopeful. At 65, a few more years would be a gift. There are 20 year, 10 year, 5 year survivors in the groups!! Just remember- not knowing if you are religious- statistics are not the word if God; doctors are not God. Use them as a guide; and fight for yourself like hell. I hope this helps. Jill front Michigan

REPLY
@dovelandgriff

I also have leiomyosarcoma, one year survivor. I am on two support lists on Facebook. The moderators either have leiomyosarcoma or a loved one does. The lists are extremely helpful to see how others are treated, survival, advice, etc. Most state having direct access to a sarcoma specialist is essential. The center where I am treated, Karmanos in Flint, Mi. Has a social worker who had reached out and spoken to me two or three times. Both about the emotional and psychological effects of having cancer and the burden and fear of/of your spouse and caregivers, your own anxiety, etc. They also have support groups. I see my own private therapist on video weekly as I have for some years. I am a reader and researcher by nature, and I devour every word on the subject. Not everyone wants to do this. As for the inoperable- I had a ovariohystrectomy with appendectomy and removal of most of my momentum last December. They did not get clear margins. I was stage 2b until mets were found in my lungs. That automatically states you at 4. I was terrified and down-hearted until I realized how many have survived and even thrived for years with a stage 4 diagnosis. I was deemed not a candidate for further surgery also. Sometimes the tumors are in places where they can't access, at least while also keeping us alive. I was very sick, sepsis, heart failure, pneumonia, etc after my first chemo and after a lung biopsy. I pulled through and even though I could not move, was hugely bloated with fluid, and had felt I was dying one of the days during this ordeal- when the team came in and one or two suggested hospice. I became very angry and said I want to fight. I will recover and we will try something else. They had given me 2-10 weeks. I had my great pt come out. He got me up, standing, walking, I had to do the stretching and walking homework. Back and forth in this little house. I began losing fluid and weight. My oncologist was amazed and delighted at my follow up. I had genetic testing I had been pushing for. They started me on liposomal doxyrubicin, which I did tolerate. Skipping over some stuff...I ended up with radiation to both lungs, just finished yesterday. Off the chemo, taking an oral med twice a day I just started Saturday. I am of course anxious, but hopeful. At 65, a few more years would be a gift. There are 20 year, 10 year, 5 year survivors in the groups!! Just remember- not knowing if you are religious- statistics are not the word if God; doctors are not God. Use them as a guide; and fight for yourself like hell. I hope this helps. Jill front Michigan

Jump to this post

I am a 34 year survivor...mine located in my left groin area...so many years ago that they didn't have a rating system of levels...which I really am thankful for...yes...I still say to myself..."Get out and stay out of my body...you are not welcome"...wishing you years Jill.

REPLY
@dovelandgriff

I also have leiomyosarcoma, one year survivor. I am on two support lists on Facebook. The moderators either have leiomyosarcoma or a loved one does. The lists are extremely helpful to see how others are treated, survival, advice, etc. Most state having direct access to a sarcoma specialist is essential. The center where I am treated, Karmanos in Flint, Mi. Has a social worker who had reached out and spoken to me two or three times. Both about the emotional and psychological effects of having cancer and the burden and fear of/of your spouse and caregivers, your own anxiety, etc. They also have support groups. I see my own private therapist on video weekly as I have for some years. I am a reader and researcher by nature, and I devour every word on the subject. Not everyone wants to do this. As for the inoperable- I had a ovariohystrectomy with appendectomy and removal of most of my momentum last December. They did not get clear margins. I was stage 2b until mets were found in my lungs. That automatically states you at 4. I was terrified and down-hearted until I realized how many have survived and even thrived for years with a stage 4 diagnosis. I was deemed not a candidate for further surgery also. Sometimes the tumors are in places where they can't access, at least while also keeping us alive. I was very sick, sepsis, heart failure, pneumonia, etc after my first chemo and after a lung biopsy. I pulled through and even though I could not move, was hugely bloated with fluid, and had felt I was dying one of the days during this ordeal- when the team came in and one or two suggested hospice. I became very angry and said I want to fight. I will recover and we will try something else. They had given me 2-10 weeks. I had my great pt come out. He got me up, standing, walking, I had to do the stretching and walking homework. Back and forth in this little house. I began losing fluid and weight. My oncologist was amazed and delighted at my follow up. I had genetic testing I had been pushing for. They started me on liposomal doxyrubicin, which I did tolerate. Skipping over some stuff...I ended up with radiation to both lungs, just finished yesterday. Off the chemo, taking an oral med twice a day I just started Saturday. I am of course anxious, but hopeful. At 65, a few more years would be a gift. There are 20 year, 10 year, 5 year survivors in the groups!! Just remember- not knowing if you are religious- statistics are not the word if God; doctors are not God. Use them as a guide; and fight for yourself like hell. I hope this helps. Jill front Michigan

Jump to this post

Please tell me the leiomyosarcoma support group names. I joined one but so far no post.

REPLY
@kadie22

I have Leimyosarcoma. Diagnosed in 2020. Post hysterectomy, necrosis fascitis complications, chemo, and radiation. I am told my cancer is "inoperable". I am lucky as I am doing well the 4 yrs since dx. Wondering if anyone else told "inoperable" and what follow up care they are having. I feel very abandoned and can't get answers as to what to expect.

Jump to this post

Hi @kadie22, you might be interested in these related discussions:
- Diagnosed with Uterine Cancer (Leiomyosarcoma)
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-and-cancer-2/
- Uterine leiomyosarcoma with lung metastasis: Treatment options?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/uterine-leiomyosarcoma-lung-metastasis-treatment-options/
See all https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=Leiomyosarcoma+uterine

Kadie, you mention that you had a hysterectomy. Since then you've been told your cancer is inoperable. Has the cancer spread beyond the uterus?

REPLY
@arcollett

Please tell me the leiomyosarcoma support group names. I joined one but so far no post.

Jump to this post

Welcome, @arcollett. I look forward to learning more about you. May I ask, when were you diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma? Where in the body did it start for you? How are you doing now?

REPLY

I was diagnosed with Stage 1b uLMS after a hysterectomy I had on Oct 29th. CT scans on Nov 15 showed I had a tumor between my bladder and bowel that wasn't present during surgery, making me stage 3. Some small nodules were also found in the lungs but too small to biopsy - too early to tell. Started chemo Nov 25th of gen/tax (gen only). On Dec 2 had the combo but severe reaction to tax - heart and lower back pounding in the rhythm of heartbeat with pain. I was told reactions happen with tax but not within 2 minutes of starting it. They had to stop for 30 min, give more steroids and Benedryl, and restart slowly. Has chemo with combo today and did fine. But I am haveing problems with my heart after the first combo - seems I have a left branch bundle block (LBBB) that comes and goes (have a follow-up with cardio in Feb). The LBBB was discovered when I went to ER thinking I was having a heart attack. Beginning to have incontinence issues with my bladder. My cancer team does not usually go back in for another surgery so soon, but will discuss more with my gyn/onc on Dec 26. I have to be off chemo for at least 3 weeks before they can do surgery. I have 3 CT scans scheduled for Jan 7th to obtain more info. I am getting treatment at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center in Birmingham, AL. I have a referral for a second opinion to a sarcoma doctor here but appt has not been established yet. I'm 69, and have a history of fibrous tissue in my uterus, been on Mimvey low does since menopause at 52, first D&C mid 50s, and was diagnosed last year with a fibroid and more fibrous tissue, had a D&C, but bleeding continued, put on progesterone as well. I'm 69 years old.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.