@cmb2022 Your diagnosis, surgical treatment and stage (I saw this on your previous thread where I believe you indicated Stage 1a for endometroid adenocarcinoma) is the same as me. Including the pelvic wash findings. Here is what I learned from my GYN/ONC surgeon:

The significance of positive cytology in pelvic washings (examination of single cells by a pathologist) is and continues to be debated. Prior to a few years ago the presence of positive washings in early stages like yours and mine in non-aggressive cancers (Stage 1) moved us to Stage III meaning that the cancer had spread to regional areas. At that time adjuvant treatment (radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, multimodal treatment) was often recommended. However, the standard has changed based on the evidence from research and recommendations from the Society of Gynecological Oncology and so in my case adjuvant treatment was not recommended by my surgeon.

In my case one of the questions I was asked after surgery given the pathology findings from cytology was if I had a D & C with hysteroscopy? The answer was "yes, from my local gynecologist" which was when the cancer was detected and diagnosed. I was told that the hysteroscopy can introduce cells into the peritoneal cavity that show up in the pelvic washings and biologically these cells look the same as a cancer that has spread to this area but did not get there as part of the disease.

So, this is a long way of me saying that the presence of cancer cells in pelvic washings is complicated and can be there for many reasons other than the process of the cancer itself.

It is standard practice to have regular follow-up appointments (surveillance) for our cancer diagnoses as it's part of the recommended cancer survival plan. How often those follow-up appointments occur and what happens at those appointments (physical exam, other tests) is different for different people, types of cancer, diagnoses, and you.

When is your appointment with your doctor? Will you come back here and tell us what your doctor recommends for follow-up? There is a lot of experience here at Mayo Clinic Connect and while we aren't health care professionals we can offer support you and help you find information.