Newly Diagnosed: FIGO 2 Uterine Cancer: What does this mean?

Posted by gratefulcat @gratefulcat, Mar 4, 2023

Hi - My recent pathology report showed FIGO 2 for uterine cancer, and I am scheduled for a robotic hysterectomy next week. Does anyone know if these means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body? Has anyone had a cancer journey that started at this grade? Thanks for your help.

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@sherrill2023

I had uterine cancer and it was exactly diagnosed like yours. I am having 4 chemotherapy treatments and 5 brachytherapy treatments. Since we both have the same diagnosis I want you to know I am having these treatments because the Oncologist said that when they take the uterus through the vagina they can’t be sure that some cells didn’t “flake” off. I am doing fantastic.!!!!! I hope you do more research and I can only hope you come to a different conclusion.

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@sherill2023 - thank you for sharing your story. I will be sending you lots of positive energy. I have not heard of someone having chemotherapy for stage 1A. What was your FIGO score for your tumor? My doctor said my options were monitoring or monitory with brachytherapy since my cancer is considered low-risk.

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The information came from the National Institute for Health.

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@gratefulcat

My cancer was Stage 1A with positive pelvic washing. I had a complete hysterectomy, and they recommended brachytherapy as a follow-up treatment to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

I have decided to decline the brachytherapy/radiation treatment because of the research about the risk of injury to the vagina, bladder, and bowels.

Has anyone else refused radiation treatment after a low to mid-risk endometrial cancer diagnosis?

Thank you

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I had uterine cancer and it was exactly diagnosed like yours. I am having 4 chemotherapy treatments and 5 brachytherapy treatments. Since we both have the same diagnosis I want you to know I am having these treatments because the Oncologist said that when they take the uterus through the vagina they can’t be sure that some cells didn’t “flake” off. I am doing fantastic.!!!!! I hope you do more research and I can only hope you come to a different conclusion.

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@gratefulcat

My cancer was Stage 1A with positive pelvic washing. I had a complete hysterectomy, and they recommended brachytherapy as a follow-up treatment to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

I have decided to decline the brachytherapy/radiation treatment because of the research about the risk of injury to the vagina, bladder, and bowels.

Has anyone else refused radiation treatment after a low to mid-risk endometrial cancer diagnosis?

Thank you

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You should make what you believe is the right decision for yourself. But I was wondering where you saw that there was a risk to the bladder and bowels from vaginal brachytherapy. I didn't see that when I researched it. Side effects like those can be caused by external beam radiation. I also have not had any noticeable side effects from brachytherapy myself. They do recommend that you use a vaginal dilator afterwards to prevent hardening and shrinkage of the vagina, but I haven't found that to be much of an inconvenience.

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@gratefulcat

My cancer was Stage 1A with positive pelvic washing. I had a complete hysterectomy, and they recommended brachytherapy as a follow-up treatment to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

I have decided to decline the brachytherapy/radiation treatment because of the research about the risk of injury to the vagina, bladder, and bowels.

Has anyone else refused radiation treatment after a low to mid-risk endometrial cancer diagnosis?

Thank you

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Dependjng on your health and other circumstances, that may have been a wise decision. There are no gaurantees with any treatment.

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My cancer was Stage 1A with positive pelvic washing. I had a complete hysterectomy, and they recommended brachytherapy as a follow-up treatment to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

I have decided to decline the brachytherapy/radiation treatment because of the research about the risk of injury to the vagina, bladder, and bowels.

Has anyone else refused radiation treatment after a low to mid-risk endometrial cancer diagnosis?

Thank you

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@gratefulcat

Hi Everyone - I am almost three weeks post hysterectomy and doing well. My cancer was staged as 1A with a positive pelvic washing which requires follow-up radiation/brachytherapy. During the process, I learned I have a high probability of Lynch Syndrome and will continue with additional cancer screenings over the next few months.

Has anyone experienced brachytherapy for endometrial cancer? How did they feel? Any long-term side effects?

Thanks for your support.

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Yes, I had 6 I believe treatments of bracytherapy. No side effects at all. Good luck!!

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Yes, last July had a complete hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. After the biopsy they said FIGO stage 1 or 2. After the surgery I was diagnosed Stage 1B Grade 2. Had brachytherapy. My bowel was wrapped my ovary due to endometriosis so I was in surgery a bit longer and had to spend the night. I’m 67 years old and the surgery and recovery went great. I think I took Tylenol for a few days, but felt great. Good luck abd hope everything goes well!

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@melhen

Recently diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer, grade 1. Scheduled for Robotic Hysterectomy soon. What do I have to look forward to with this type of surgery?

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You should recover quickly in terms of pain, but adhere to the restrictions your doctor gives you. Even though the five incisions are tidy, there is a lot of healing to be done. I was up walking laps in the hospital 12 hours after my surgery, but still had occasional spotting 12 weeks out!

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@melhen

April 24
Just what to expect before and after surgery. I know everyone is different but some general things I might expect. I’m 69 so I’m sure the age of the patient makes some difference with recovery and all. About how long does the robotic procedure take? And that too I’m assuming depends on the surgeon.
I read somewhere a person said she used a small pillow afterwards if she had to cough.

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Hi Melhen -

My surgery took about 2 hours, and then I spent several hours in recovery before I could go home. They will want to make sure you can pass urine before they discharge you.

I bought one of these before my scheduled surgery, so I would have it when I got home. It helped a lot with getting comfortable.
https://www.amazon.com/Ganaver-Sleeping-Orthopedic-Triangle-Elevation/dp/B0BR15SW5Z/ref=sr_1_13_sspa

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