Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: Pre-op prep & Diagnosis

Posted by jlb333 @jlb333, Nov 27, 2022

I was diagnosed on Nov 14, about a month after I had one episode of dark vaginal spotting. My gynecologist ordered a trans Vagina ultrasound which showed my endometrium was 10,3 mm and should be less than 4. Also a complex ovarian cyst and large uterine polyp. He drew a C125 and we scheduled an endometrial biopsy. C125 was slightly elevated so he immediately referred me to the gyneoncologist and did the biopsy. I saw the oncologist 6 days later and the biopsy still wasn’t back. He was not happy and apologized saying I can’t tell you what to do til I get the biopsy. He gave me a from to scenario. I asked about the ovarian cyst which he said not to worry about but drew an He4 ovarian marker which was normal. He called my OB and said someone call that lab and tell them I want that report today. About an hour after I got home my gynecologist called and said he had a verbal which indicated endometrial adenocarcinoma , well differentiated which he told me was positive. He said he was calling the oncologist who immediately called me. I am scheduled for a devinchi robotic hysterectomy, removal of tubes, ovaries, cervix and sentinel node biopsy. Had to wait 15 days to get in the schedule. I am a nurse, retired in September, and I don’t know if that is helpful or a hindrance because I know so much. I also read too much. My emotions go from near panic to knowing as much as I can. My grandmother and brother died from colon cancer. I’ve never been pregnant, menopause didn’t start til age 55 and I’m overweight. All risk factors. My father died of lung cancer. I have a daughter which I adopted as a single parent. Surgery is 3 days from today. My daughter is driving home right now. She lives 750 miles away. Telling her was the hardest thing. It’s just the two of us. Fortunately I have many friends and a strong faith with a wonderful church family. I begin a pre surgery protocol tomorrow. Two days of a high carb diet. The morning of surgery 32ounces of Gatorade 4-6 hours before surgery. 3 hours before 8 more ounces with 1000 mg of Tylenol and 800 mg ibuprofen. This preop preparation I was not familiar with. Still have my times of high anxiety but am just needing to get the surgery over and have a final path report. So happy to have found this group

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@cynthiaslife

Thanks for sharing all of this. It is calming me down. Sounds like the recovery went smoothly for you and you had little pain. I hope that is how it goes for me too. Did they say you had grade 1? That is what they told me. I am not sure if this is the same as stage 1. Do you know? Did they tell you what stage it was in?

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@cynthiaslife
I was diagnosed with endometrioid adenocarcinoma FIGO 1. After. hysterectomy when the pathologist examined the tissue the cancer was staged at 1a. FIGO is different than stage.

FIGO classification types are made by pathologists when they look at a biopsy under a microscope. FIGO classifications refer to the organization of the cells-how organized they are into a tumor and how they appear. FIGO numbers go from 1-3 with 1 meaning that the cells are not very differentiated.

Stage refers to where the cancer is found. Stage IA: The cancer is found only in the endometrium or less than one-half of the myometrium (muscle in the endometrium lining of the uterus. Each higher stage means that the cancer has spread to more places. Here is an explanation:
Endometrial Cancer Staging

-- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/endometrial-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html

Does this help?

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Waiting to hear how you feel Jlb33@jlb333. Been praying and thinking of you. Our cancer journey is very similar.

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@cynthiaslife

I will be praying for you. How did it go today with all the pre-op stuff? Who is your doctor? You are in the best place in the world to get this surgery. Remember that.

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My Dr is at Northwestern in iL. His name is Dr Alic Pant. I researched him well and feel totally confident and comfortable with him. Surgery was done yesterday and I am doing quite well. Not a great deal of pain. Have one incision which is bothersome, but that’s it. A bit tired, but certainly better than I expected. Came home same day.

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@naturegirl5

@cynthiaslife
I was diagnosed with endometrioid adenocarcinoma FIGO 1. After. hysterectomy when the pathologist examined the tissue the cancer was staged at 1a. FIGO is different than stage.

FIGO classification types are made by pathologists when they look at a biopsy under a microscope. FIGO classifications refer to the organization of the cells-how organized they are into a tumor and how they appear. FIGO numbers go from 1-3 with 1 meaning that the cells are not very differentiated.

Stage refers to where the cancer is found. Stage IA: The cancer is found only in the endometrium or less than one-half of the myometrium (muscle in the endometrium lining of the uterus. Each higher stage means that the cancer has spread to more places. Here is an explanation:
Endometrial Cancer Staging

-- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/endometrial-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html

Does this help?

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This is very helpful. Mine is at a grade 1A.

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@jlb333

My Dr is at Northwestern in iL. His name is Dr Alic Pant. I researched him well and feel totally confident and comfortable with him. Surgery was done yesterday and I am doing quite well. Not a great deal of pain. Have one incision which is bothersome, but that’s it. A bit tired, but certainly better than I expected. Came home same day.

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Glad to hear that the surgery went well and you don't have much pain. Sorry to hear that the one incision is a little bothersome. I am praying for you and a smooth recovery.

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@jlb333

My Dr is at Northwestern in iL. His name is Dr Alic Pant. I researched him well and feel totally confident and comfortable with him. Surgery was done yesterday and I am doing quite well. Not a great deal of pain. Have one incision which is bothersome, but that’s it. A bit tired, but certainly better than I expected. Came home same day.

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@jlb333. I'm so glad to that you you are back home and feeling comfortable. Did you have incision near or below the belly button? That's the incision that bothered me after surgery but it didn't last long. I was amazed that within a few days I replaced the small bandages on my laparoscopic incisions with regular bandaids. The best part? I had a reason to lie on the sofa and watch TV without feeling guilty about doing "nothing". I felt I had done plenty getting ready for and having the surgery. I hope you rest well. Will you keep us in the loop on how you are feeling and what your follow-up is like?

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@cynthiaslife

I am not hiding the diagnosis either. I want all the prayers I can get. For some reason I am more anxious about the surgery. My brain won't let me think about the outcome. When is your surgery? Mine is December 9th. I will be praying for you also.

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Cynthia’s life… I will be headed to surgery two days ahead of you. We can be on this cancer journey together like the buddy system on a school age field trip. Ha! Good luck and prayers for a successful outcome. I also have lots of prayer warriors and truly feel a supernatural peace.

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@jlb333

My Dr is at Northwestern in iL. His name is Dr Alic Pant. I researched him well and feel totally confident and comfortable with him. Surgery was done yesterday and I am doing quite well. Not a great deal of pain. Have one incision which is bothersome, but that’s it. A bit tired, but certainly better than I expected. Came home same day.

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Jlb333@jlb333 So glad you are home and doing well ! Keep the group updated. Kudos to jumping this hurdle! I continue prayers for you and ask for yours for me and my 12/7 surgery date. We’re you given any idea yet of further treatment ? Were any lymph nodes removed ?

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@naturegirl5

@cynthiaslife
I was diagnosed with endometrioid adenocarcinoma FIGO 1. After. hysterectomy when the pathologist examined the tissue the cancer was staged at 1a. FIGO is different than stage.

FIGO classification types are made by pathologists when they look at a biopsy under a microscope. FIGO classifications refer to the organization of the cells-how organized they are into a tumor and how they appear. FIGO numbers go from 1-3 with 1 meaning that the cells are not very differentiated.

Stage refers to where the cancer is found. Stage IA: The cancer is found only in the endometrium or less than one-half of the myometrium (muscle in the endometrium lining of the uterus. Each higher stage means that the cancer has spread to more places. Here is an explanation:
Endometrial Cancer Staging

-- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/endometrial-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html

Does this help?

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Thank you for this info of staging. Per my gyne -oncologist my biopsy result is stage IIIA. After a week of TAHBSO I had loose bowel movement my gyne-onco advised me to stay hydrated and just recently Im on normal bowel movement.
We will keep on uplifting our worries and illness to the Lord.

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@wrightvillebeach

Cynthia’s life… I will be headed to surgery two days ahead of you. We can be on this cancer journey together like the buddy system on a school age field trip. Ha! Good luck and prayers for a successful outcome. I also have lots of prayer warriors and truly feel a supernatural peace.

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Yes, let's be buddies. I have a lot of people praying also. I will pray for you too. They changed my surgery date so now it is December 8th. Are traveling from far away? If so, which hotel are you staying in? I will be at the Center stone Plaza Hotel Soldiers Field.

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