Uterine cancer: Anyone have pain months after complete hysterectomy?

Posted by jjevitts @jjevitts, Apr 23, 2023

I’m 67 and last July had a complete hysterectomy and was diagnosed with stage 1B endometrial cancer. I had brachytherapy as preventative treatment. A few months ago I began experience pain, almost like a pulled muscle in the right hip, lower pelvic region. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

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Hi, I had a complete hysterectomy for endometrial cancer 8 months ago. I’ve been feeling great until recently have had a burning, almost like a pulled muscle around my hip. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

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@jjevitts I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2019 and had a hysterectomy in August, 2019. No brachytherapy at that time but I did have a recurrence in October, 2021 and had external pelvic radiation and brachytherapy.

Every time I have a little twinge or pain in my pelvic region, hips or back I worry that the cancer has come back or it's a new cancer. From talking with other cancer survivors I think this way of thinking never completely leaves us.

I had groin pain in January, 2021 and worried about the pain. Was it cancer? Could it be something else? I saw my primary care doctor who suggested that it could be groin muscles that I pulled while cross-country skiing. She said if the pain did not subside within a few weeks then I should return to her and she would order a CT. The pain did go away. I figured out how it happened by reviewing my uphill skiing technique. Since the hysterectomy (and a total hip replacement) my internal musculature has been "rearranged". This is a long way of saying that the pain could be something other than cancer.

Have you talked with you primary care doctor about this? It's something that I would want addressed. And I wouldn't allow myself to be talked out of my symptoms or concerns. My doctor listens to me and we problem-solve together. One of my doctors (now retired) said to me one time, "you are the expert with your body". I loved that he said that and so I'll pass that on to you.

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@naturegirl5

@jjevitts I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2019 and had a hysterectomy in August, 2019. No brachytherapy at that time but I did have a recurrence in October, 2021 and had external pelvic radiation and brachytherapy.

Every time I have a little twinge or pain in my pelvic region, hips or back I worry that the cancer has come back or it's a new cancer. From talking with other cancer survivors I think this way of thinking never completely leaves us.

I had groin pain in January, 2021 and worried about the pain. Was it cancer? Could it be something else? I saw my primary care doctor who suggested that it could be groin muscles that I pulled while cross-country skiing. She said if the pain did not subside within a few weeks then I should return to her and she would order a CT. The pain did go away. I figured out how it happened by reviewing my uphill skiing technique. Since the hysterectomy (and a total hip replacement) my internal musculature has been "rearranged". This is a long way of saying that the pain could be something other than cancer.

Have you talked with you primary care doctor about this? It's something that I would want addressed. And I wouldn't allow myself to be talked out of my symptoms or concerns. My doctor listens to me and we problem-solve together. One of my doctors (now retired) said to me one time, "you are the expert with your body". I loved that he said that and so I'll pass that on to you.

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Thank you so much for your concern and suggestions, I totally agree! I know I am even more sensitive to every ache & pain pre cancer. I tell myself on a daily, stay off google! 😂 I have spoken to my primary care physician about this. He was thinking possibly scar tissue and physical therapy may help. I will continue to try and figure out what is going on, which is hopefully nothing. I’m overweight which I know is not good, so I’m working on that too.
Thank you so much for reaching out, it is so appreciated! Continued good health to you ! 💜

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@jjevitts Your doctor presented you with a reasonable first choice as did my doctor. Like you, I googled and tried to stick to valid and reliable internet sources. But it's easy to go down that rabbit hole and imagine all sorts of things! 🥸 "You are the expert with your body", right?

Thank you for the good wishes. I wish you good health too.

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@jjevitts

You are absolutely right!

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If I might ask what were your symptoms of recurrence?

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I had a hysterectomy end of August 2023 and 3 chemo, 5 weeks radiation, 2 brachytherapy, 3 more chemo last only 2 weeks ago. There were 2 lesions on back of uterus so got all the preventive they could come up with. I had a pulling feeling going to right hip before. Every once in a while, I still kind of feel but then gone, but a did have a pulled muscle before hysterectomy. I asked Dr. at one point, because, I felt a like rough brushing feeling and
he said that is scar tissue.

I am still not feeling real well, after the last chemo, they did cat scan today and didn't find anything new, one good thing. Have neuropathy in my hands and feet just hoping that will go away. I would have them check it out to make sure nothing to worry about.

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@jjevitts

If I might ask what were your symptoms of recurrence?

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I didn’t have any symptoms. Nothing. No new pain and no vaginal bleeding, I was stunned and in shock but also glad I kept up with all my follow up appointments. The nurse practitioner found a little tiny polyp-like thing on the vaginal cuff. It was sent to pathology where it was diagnosed as endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Just like my initial diagnosis in 2019. It been 1 and a half years since the recurrence and I get checked every four months. No evidence of cancer at any of the follow up appointments.

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@naturegirl5

I didn’t have any symptoms. Nothing. No new pain and no vaginal bleeding, I was stunned and in shock but also glad I kept up with all my follow up appointments. The nurse practitioner found a little tiny polyp-like thing on the vaginal cuff. It was sent to pathology where it was diagnosed as endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Just like my initial diagnosis in 2019. It been 1 and a half years since the recurrence and I get checked every four months. No evidence of cancer at any of the follow up appointments.

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Thank you so much and really shows how important it is to keep up on all the follow ups. I’m so glad you continue to feel great and healthy!

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Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot. I’m glad you have that behind you and can be on to healing and feeling better. I had appt with my radiologist last week and she said things looked good upon examination, so I’ll make an appt with my primary care to figure out the pain. I wasn’t sure if scar tissue could form this quickly, 8 months, but I see it can. Again, thank you for responding!

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