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Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: Pre-op prep & Diagnosis
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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@rose53 My follow-ups are on a different schedule than yours and I couldn't tell you why that is. I thought our experiences were very much the same but we did have different surgeons and I guess they reached different conclusions on our follow up schedules.
I had a radical hysterectomy that removed bilateral ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix. From what you wrote it seems your cervix was left intact? Is that right? After the hysterectomy in 2019 my schedule was every 6 months. No blood test or imaging exams. I had a physical exam where the nurse practitioner examined external (vulva) and a very careful exam using a speculum to look in the vagina. That is how she found the very small bump in the vaginal cuff that turned out to be a recurrence. That was in late October in 2021. After a PET/MR in which no other cancer was detected I was scheduled for external beam radiation and two treatments of brachytherapy. When the radiation ended in January 2022, my follow-ups changed to every four months and included a CT scan with contrast. No other cancer has been found for which I am very grateful. My next exam will be on December 20.
Thank you for the kind words. I was so happy to be able to support you and especially to see you that you have stayed on Mayo Clinic Connect to support others. I hope you too are feeling good.
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3 ReactionsHi yes Mayo is awesome I had my hysterectomy for Adenocarcinoma Cancer Sept 16th this year with 3 radiation treatments after that and doing great. They are very caring for you the patient and will give you the best of care.
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1 ReactionI had stage 1 grade 3 most aggressive for spreading, but lucky enough mine had not spread into the lymph nodes or any further! They will give you excellent care!
I too am endometrial cancer Stage 1 grade 3 but mine is B with 60% invasion into the myometrium. No lymph node spread. Am going for radiation simulator today in preparation for 28 pelvic radiation.
What treatment did you have?
Wishing you a full recovery.
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1 ReactionWhile you wait for @cheriels to respond to your post I thought you might like to read more about radiation treatment for gynecological cancer. Here is a discussion with our experiences on pelvic radiation treatments for gynecological cancers. The discussion opens with a description of radiation simulation.
-- What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer?
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/types-of-radiation-treatments-for-gynecological-cancers/
Hi I had 3 radiation treatments with a spectrum that went up inside my Vagina to where the vagi is was sewed shut after my hysterectomy. I am doing great feeling better than ever now! Good luck to you!
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1 ReactionHi,
Am so glad to hear that you're doing and feeling great. I'd assume that you were IA grade 3 not IB grade 3 (as I am). The pelvic radiation is what I'll be getting in part because of the >50% invasion of the myometrium. Continued good health.
@cls316 Yes, @cheriels had brachytherapy which is an internal radiation.
Your description is external pelvic radiation it is different than @cheriels radiation treatment.
How was the radiation simulation for you today? Did it go OK? When do you start the external pelvic radiation sessions?
My radiation simulation went fairly well, though stressful. Had a CT with contrast that was less than optimum, but doable according to the radiology oncologist. I had been so concerned about prepping with having a clean bowel that I think I went overboard leaving me with a bowel filled with gas. That required 2 attempts to release the gas and was mostly successful. After the scan, the radiation technologist tattooed the spots where the stickers had been placed on my pelvis. It will take approximately 2 weeks before I will begin the pelvic radiation sessions. Meanwhile, I am most concerned about how to go to the morning sessions with an empty bowel as I am chronically struggling with constipation.
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1 Reaction@cls316 There are many different experiences that our members have had with external radiation treatments. Most of what you described is very similar to my own radiation simulation except for having an empty bowel. That was not part of the prep I had to do for my simulation or treatments. I know that some are advised not to drink soda or other "bubbly" beverages during the week when they have external radiation treatments in order to prevent the gas problem you described.
Once the external beam radiation treatment starts it goes quickly. I spent more time getting changed into the "gown" and getting dressed again then I did getting the actual treatments. Those were very quick. Unless there was a delay in radiation oncology I was in and out of there within 30 minutes.
I wish you good rest and peace while you await the start of your treatments. Will you check back in whenever you'd like to share or when you have questions?
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