cancerous cells in polyp removed not wanting a hysterctomy, unwise?

Posted by karenberreth @karenberreth, 1 day ago

I am a 67 year old. I woke up a month ago and had my period. When I wanted some benefits from younger days, I was thinking thicker hair or my longer eye lashes, not my period. Went to the ER where tests were done, sent to a specialist had a biopsy of Uterus, came back negative. Had a D&C, discovered a polyop, was removed and contanined cancerous cells, as did a lesion under the polyop. I am being sent to an oncologist/gyn. to discuss hysterectomy. What would the consequesnce of deciding NOT to have hysterectomy due to the issues,(falling organs due to space after hysterectomy). Anyone ever not had a hystercomy and living comfortably?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | 1 day ago

@karenberreth Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and to our Gynecological Cancers Support Group. You will get emotional support and sharing of experiences here that I hope will help you with your journey.

I was diagnosed with endometroid adenocarcinoma, FIGO Grade 1, in 2019. A few months earlier I had experienced spotting (bleeding) which was my first symptom. I knew that being postmenopausal meant vaginal bleeding was not normal and I immediately made an appointment with my gynecologist. After a D&C the pathology report indicated endometrioid adenocarcinoma (a type of uterine cancer also called endometrial cancer) and I was referred to Mayo Clinic where I had a radical hysterectomy that was staged 1a by pathology. The surgery was robotic laparoscopy so there were just 5 small incisions and the hysterectomy itself (removal of tissue and organs) was performed through the vagina. Other than fatigue the recovery was pretty easy and comfortable. when I returned to the surgeon (gyn/oncologist) 6 weeks later I was pronounced good to go with my normal routine.

I have a few questions that I hope you will answer to help me to understand your post.

1. Do you know the type or kind of cancer cells that were found? The diagnosis will be in the pathology report that hopefully you received and discussed with the physician who performed the D&C.

2. What do you mean by issues of falling organs? I had a hysterectomy at age 67 years old and did not experience any change in the position of my other organs.

3. When is your appointment with the gyn/oncologist? I'm thinking one of the reasons for the referral to the gyn/oncologist is to discuss the cancer diagnosis and your options. If surgery - a hysterectomy - is recommended I'm wondering why you would not want to go that route?

minnesota10 | @minnesota10 | 1 day ago

I had one 25 years ago. No problem for me, I was having trouble when I had it removed.
Everyone is different. Talk with the doctor, listen to them. What grade is the cancer, where was it, is there a risk for it to come back. And so on. Write your questions down before you get to the office. If you don’t you will miss some important questions.
Good luck.