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Recurrence of gynecological cancer
Gynecologic Cancers | Last Active: Aug 8, 2023 | Replies (32)Comment receiving replies
Thanks.. your reply is helpful and i do need to think forward and not focus on what might have been. I actually made plans today to go out to buy a notebook for questions and a journal. I feel like I will advocate better now...lesson learned. It frustrates me that because statistically 1a doesn't require more thorough exams, and that allows others to slip through the cracks. Maybe not an expensive scan but could a CA125 blood test have hinted something was going on before I was bleeding and the cancer was in the lymphatic system? And I think about all the people who can't advocate for themselves, understand what to look for or articulate what they need. Protocols based on statistics alone that are designed to reduce costs fail those all those people. Sorry for the rant. Still trying to get on top of what I'm feeling.
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@cialonel My doctor told me that the type of cancer I had (endometrioid adenocarcinoma) at Grade 1, Stage 1 has a 95% survival rate over 5 years. Now that’s survival rate, not rate of recurrence. So, I took this to mean that I had less than a 5% chance of my cancer coming back. Someone has to be in that 5% recurrence and I was one of the unfortunate ones.
When the recurrence was found in October, 2021 my nurse practitioner ordered a PET scan based on her discussion with the GYNOncologists in her department. Nothing showed up on the PET scan which was a relief and a puzzle. So, even if I’d been having regular CT scans at every visit a scan would not have shown anything.
I’m not quite sure what to make of all of this except that the recommendation of the GYNOncologist who performed my hysterectomy provided reliable and valid information to me. My recurrence was found on physical exam.
You are so right, though, that these protocols are based on empirical studies which include statistics and do reduce costs. I can rant with you because I want the very best medical care possible too.