Hello, Rose53, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are in the right place for support and guidance. While we are not medical professionals we can share our own experiences and support you through yours. It happens that I was in your exact place just two years ago.

I was 67-years-old when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2019. I had symptoms of vaginal bleeding and then abdominal cramping that felt like the worst menstrual cramps. I knew something was wrong as I entered menopause over ten years before. So, I went to my gynecologist and eventually had a biopsy. I ( was diagnosed with Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma FIGO Grade 1. I was referred to Mayo Clinic (Rochester) and I was very frightened.

Do you know your FIGO Grade? The FIGO Grade is assigned by the pathologist who examined your slides from your biopsy. The FIGO score will help the doctors to collaborate and plan the best treatment for you. I know how difficult it is not knowing what is happening in your body and whatever the cancer is you want it out as soon as possible. That's how I felt. The surgeon told me that I would not know if I would need additional treatment (radiation, medication, chemotherapy) until after the hysterectomy when all of the tissue would be be examined by pathology. Where are you located? Did your doctor refer you to a cancer center where you can receive collaborative care?

Five days after that initial consult with the surgeon I had a hysterectomy with removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix. The endometrioid adenocarcinoma was staged 1a indicating minimal invasion of the uterine tissue and no spread to lymph nodes. After I had the hysterectomy the surgeon let me know her initial impressions and what the initial pathology report indicated. Then she said that I would get the final results of the pathology in a few days. With Stage 1a no other treatment was recommended. Of course waiting was hard. I then returned to the surgeon one month later where we went over my results together and she gave me a cancer survivorship plan.

I am writing this note to you from Mayo Clinic where I return every six months for 3 years for checks.

Please let me know what other questions you have and I will do my best to answer them. Here are some links to information that I hope you will find helpful in the meantime.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Helen
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometrial-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352461
https://www.cancer.gov/types/uterine