Endometrial adenocarcinoma

Posted by farrplace2025318 @farrplace2025318, May 29 9:50am

I had post menopausal bleeding 7 months ago and had all the scans, etc and it was decided to have a total hysterectomy. It was done mid March. They said I could bleed some for an additional 2 months. I am still bleeding. Just a little..a panty liner is sufficient. I don’t have a follow-up appt til the end of July. All margins were clean..Doctor said he is sure he got all the cancer cells. What should I do? I asked for a PET scan but he said I Don’t need one. Suggestions? I am 72.

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@farrplace2025318 I’d like to ask you a few questions so I can be helpful to you.

When you write that you had a “total hysterectomy” does this mean that your uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix were removed?

American Cancer Society, What is Endometrial Cancer?
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/endometrial-cancer/about/what-is-endometrial-cancer.html
When you wrote that your doctor assured you that he got all the cancer cells was this your oncology surgeon that said this?

Quite frankly, I’m baffled why you are experiencing post-surgical vaginal bleeding two months after the hysterectomy. If I were in your place I would see a different oncologist and get another opinion. Or consider going to your gynecologist and ask for a vaginal and pelvic exam. There are likely different possibilities why you are experiencing this bleeding that may not be related to cancer but could be related to the surgical procedure. I honestly do not know as I am not a medical provider. If you don’t know who you could see for another opinion I suggest you ask your primary care provider or your gynecologist.

I hope you get in to see another physician very soon. Will you do that and let me know what you find out?

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My physician and surgeon is a gynecologist oncologist. He said he did a total and complete hysterectomy, which I understood to be my ovaries, both fallopian tubes, the endometrium, the cervix—the whole reproduction system. He said the cancer was confined to one ovary. The fallopian tubes were negative . The lymph node closest to that ovary was negative. The other side lymph node was taken but they were unable to test it. I will contact my doctor and tell him about my blood issue. IF HE doesn’t want to see me, I will get a second opinion ,I will update my information. Thank you.

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@farrplace2025318 I have one other thought now that I have more information about your surgery.

Since your cervix was removed you have a vaginal cuff. I also have a vaginal cuff. Is it possible that bleeding could be coming from the vaginal cuff?

Mayo Clinic: Vaginal Hysterectomy

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vaginal-hysterectomy/about/pac-20384541

The above link includes information about the vaginal cuff as well as medical risks associated with a vaginal hysterectomy.

Did your current surgeon and gynecological oncologist do a vaginal exam after your surgery? My surgeon did that about 6 weeks after my surgery and said that my vaginal cuff was healing well.

Yes, I think getting another opinion is a good idea. Will you please let me know what you find out?

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I had vaginal bleeding after my radical hysterectomy too. I also had severe pain in my pelvis, especially when urinating. The bleeding was not a lot (I couldn't tell if the source was my ladder or vagina) and was accompanied by a strange, smelly odor. I went through a number of regular pads a day. My surgeon/oncologist said he didn't have a clue what was wrong, but he did check the position of my bladder after I suggested the problem could be due to prolapse. He said the bladder was fine. No prolapse. After several months of this pain and perpetual discharge, my medical oncologist finally agreed to get another scan (PET or MRI, I can't remember now), found a new tumor. An gynecological radiologist zapped it and, the symptoms subsided. I haven't had a bleeding or discharge issue since. I still experience pain in my pelvis at times. But it's manageable. BTW, the pain is likely caused by metastasis in my lymph nodes.
This is all to say that of course you need to get someone's attention! I hope it's nothing serious but it could be.

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@naturegirl5

@farrplace2025318 I have one other thought now that I have more information about your surgery.

Since your cervix was removed you have a vaginal cuff. I also have a vaginal cuff. Is it possible that bleeding could be coming from the vaginal cuff?

Mayo Clinic: Vaginal Hysterectomy

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vaginal-hysterectomy/about/pac-20384541

The above link includes information about the vaginal cuff as well as medical risks associated with a vaginal hysterectomy.

Did your current surgeon and gynecological oncologist do a vaginal exam after your surgery? My surgeon did that about 6 weeks after my surgery and said that my vaginal cuff was healing well.

Yes, I think getting another opinion is a good idea. Will you please let me know what you find out?

Jump to this post

My oncologist-gynecologist did a laparoscopic removal of my reproductive tract and not a vaginal removal. Would I have a vaginal cuff if performed laparoscopic?

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@farrplace2025318 Since you described a laparoscopic procedure for your hysterectomy then your reproductive organs may have been removed through your vagina. Please read the link I copied from Cleveland Clinic that describes the different types of hysterectomies. What did your surgeon tell you about the kind of hysterectomy that you had?

Cleveland Clinic: Hysterectomy :

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/hysterectomy

If you had a laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy like I did then a vaginal cuff is done when your cervix is also removed. The hysterectomy that I had removed uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix. The top of the vagina goes to the cervix which then goes to the uterus. Since I no longer have a cervix the surgeon had to close the top of my vagina and did this with what is called the vaginal cuff.

I have read here of who have had bleeding from the vaginal cuff which is why I asked you that question.

Here is what Mayo Clinic has to say about bleeding after a hysterectomy:

Mayo Clinic: Bleeding after hysterectomy:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vaginal-hysterectomy/expert-answers/bleeding-after-hysterectomy/faq-20057977

The above link cautions that vaginal bleeding after 6 weeks should be talked about with your doctor. If you aren’t getting the answers you need and your doctor isn’t addressing your vaginal bleeding have you thought about getting an opinion from a different doctor?

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