Just diagnosed with Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma: What to expect?

@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.

Not yet. I spoke on the phone with my Dr. He said he would explain more at my next appointment

@cmb2022, welcome. So glad you found the group here on Mayo Clinic Connect relatively early in the cancer journey. You've been through a lot in the past few weeks from diagnsosis to surgery - total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and
bilateral salpingoophorectomy (BSO).

I moved your message asking about follow up to this existing discussion about endometrial adenocarcinoma so you can connect easily with other members with a similar diagnosis, like @cialonel @naturegirl5 @rainna @goldengirl2 @stparker54 @rose53 @ejohn @ejrdevries @andrea69 and more.

CMB, do you know how frequent your follow-up schedule is?

I had a TLH and BSO a week ago. Lymph nodes were all clear. The pre surgery pelvic wash was positive for cancer cells similar to the endometrial cancer that was found. My Dr said that no treatment was necessary, but I would require frequent follow-up due to the pelvic wash. What sort of follow-up is required?

I will make sure to get back with you Nature girl. Good to hear from you.

Hello @rose53. I'm so glad to hear that you are recovering well from your surgery. I pray also for an optimistic report from your doctor on Thursday. Would you please come back here and let me know how your appointment goes for you?

Thank you for asking about me. I am taking care of myself and spending these days on me. I feel very cared for at Mayo and that I made the choice to come here.

Hello Nature Girl
Thank you for your message..love hearing from you. Feeling better from surgery. Still did not hear from pathology after surgery. Will be seeing doctor Thursday for follow up. I pray hopefully for good report..how are you coping? Are you well..?😘

Hello, @andrea69 Did I miss a post from you? Did you meet with the oncologist and receive a treatment plan? How are you feeling today? You’ve been in my thoughts.

@rose53 Hello,Rose. I’ve been sending you positive thoughts. How are you today?

I'm in Michigan but far away from you, I'm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Marquette County. It takes me as long to drive to Grand Rapids as it does to Mayo Clinic in Rochester. It's good for folks here to know that you think highly of your radiation oncologist and that she is still in Grand Rapids.