Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: Pre-op prep & Diagnosis

@kristysue Thank goodness you got yourself to your doctor after you found post-menopausal bleeding. By doing that the results of your D&C show that it's likely the doctor caught the endometrial adenocarcinoma Grade 1 very early. ( do I have your diagnosis correct along with the endometrial hyperplasia with atypia?). This is very much like how I was diagnosed. When I discovered the vaginal bleeding (I'd been more than 10 years post-menopasual at that point in time) I got in to see my gynecologist quickly. I was stunned with the diagnosis that I received after the D&C. I spent a weekend in utter anxiety until my oncology appointments were actually scheduled.

Unless your doctor recommends changing your diet because of estrogen levels you might not need to do that. The history of blood clots is something to let the Gyn-oncologist know as they will want a complete medical history.

Ask your surgeon about a "belly pouch" and the type of hysterectomy that she or he recommends. My hysterectomy was laparoscopic and so I had just 5 tiny incisions in my abdomen. I did not have a belly pouch after the hysterectomy.

Exercise is good no matter what. Exercise will definitely help with the stress. Can you get outside and walk? If it's too icy or cold where you live would you like to walk indoors in a mall or a gym? Walking is great exercise.

When you are scheduled for the appointment with the oncologist be sure to ask your daughter, your spouse, or a close friend to go with you. It's really hard to listen when you are so very stressed. I wrote down my questions ahead of time and my partner took notes for me. That way with two sets of ears we were able to follow what the oncology surgeon recommended and said to me.

I had vaginal bleeding for 14 months before a 2nd endometrial biopsy returned adenocarcinoma , also grade 1. Grade 1 means it is the least aggressive. I had concerns about surgery and anesthesia because of chronic bronchitis. I reported to the hospital at 7:45 am on Dec. 7th for Cavinci robotic surgery for complete hysterectomy and by 3:30 pm I was home relaxing in my recliner chair. ( which I slept in for the first 4 nights. ) Even after all this time my cancer had not escaped the uterus so lymph nodes did not have to be removed and no further treatment such as chemo or radiation was required. We consider this outcome our Christmas miracle. My pain was managed with extra strength ibuprofen and Tylenol and slight queasiness with ginger snaps. I used Colace stool softener to help with uncomfortable bowel movements. The first week is no walk in the park but each day got better and better. I hope you do as well as I did. God bless you! Keep me posted on your prognosis.

I had vaginal bleeding in Nov. 22 after being in menopause for 4 years. My gyn. did an ultrasound and it showed fibroids and polyps. He did a D&C on December 29th, 2022. I was diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma grade 1 as well as complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia within an endometrial polyp. My complete hysterectomy will be scheduled soon. I have extreme anxiety because I read too much and worry too much. It seems like it is all I can think about day and night. I have one daughter and she just had a little boy. I also have a history of a blood clot so am at risk for that. I don't know what to eat because I read certain foods raise your estrogen levels. I can't sleep because my thoughts lead to thinking the worst. I read that I will have a belly pooch after the surgery and I already have belly fat. I am 210 lbs now and can't imagine gaining anymore weight. I am trying to eat better and exercise but the weight is hard to take off and the stress isn't helping.

@kkt78 How did your mother's surgery go? Is she resting comfortably at home? What did the doctors tell you about the Stage of Endometrial Adenocarcinoma? This is determined after surgery when the pathologists examine the uterus or any other organs that were removed during the hysterectomy.

How are you feeling today? Your mother has wonderful children and your dad to help her out.

I am 71 years old and had robotic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer on Dec. 7th. Recovery was amazing. A month after surgery and I am feeling like my old self. Even though I had had bleeding symptoms for over a year the biopsy had not picked up on the cancer. The cancer had not escaped the uterus and my cancer was a slow growing grade so I will not need chemo and radiation. It was helpful for me to know and speak openly claiming the cancer diagnosis. The unknown is more unsettling than the known. The best to your mother.

@kkt78, I just found your post. I'm not sure how it slipped passed me. My mom also had uterine cancer which was luckily caught early. She had a hysterectomy and no further treatment necessary. She was 61 at the time and she's still with us. She turns 83 this week.

How did your mom's operation go? How are you doing?

Hi All, feeling positive to hear all your stories. I have stumbled here while searching for my mother's condition. She ( aged 70) lives in India and have been diagnosed with Endometrial Adenocarcinoma NOS, grade II around 10 days back using biopsy method. Her pep scan and MRI scans are showing that its only in uterus and hasn't spread anywhere else. She is having her robotic surgery to remove uterus tomorrow morning. Doctor have said that she most probably wont even need radiation or chemo after the surgery. We haven't even told her the word "cancer" and have told that removal surgery is very common procedure for women of her age. We did not want her to panic as the word "cancer" seems quite scary. This has worked perfectly fine till now and she is in good spirits going in her surgery but it has made us ( me , my brother and my dad) quite worried and anxious. I am just writing here to share her journey virtually and possibly get some guidance for future.
thanks and good luck to you all.

@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?

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.

@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?