In my shoes would you demand a hysterectomy. Cancer related.

[NonnaMai]

I've posted on a couple of threads about my cancer journey which began about six weeks ago.

Last time I posted on here my consultant had told me my staging was a 1b1 which was treatable with a radical hysterectomy. Following more tests we know now the cancer is more advanced and on the cusp of a stage two. My treatment is now to be chemo and radiotherapy.

I'm happy with that decision but as I mentioned to my consultant psychologically I would feel happier knowing the infected organs had been removed. The reason for this is that over the past 10 years I've had 3 smear tests. As cervical cancer is extremely slow growing its fair to say my first two smears failed to spot the pre cancerous cells.
I know that after my treatment I will be closely monitored but I'm terrified that the cancer will return and be missed again.I know that now it's in my lymph nodes it could sprout anywhere so removing my cervix, tubes etc doesn't guarantee my future health.
I just feel strongly that it would make me feel less worried. My consultant says he can't refuse if I insist but he wouldn't want to put me through any surgery that wasn't strictly necessary.

I know it's a tough question to answer because we all cope differantly with things. I would be interested to know what others think though.

I have no expertise to offer...but I think I would feel the same as you. Would doing the chemo and radio and then making the decision be an option? Perhaps after a scan following treatment?

Sorry you agree going through this.

are* not agree.

If i was in your shoes yes I would want a hysterectomy, I think it wound make a big difference to me psychologically. I'm actually surprised that you aren't getting one, I presumed that it was a given.

I'm sorry you are going through this, I hope your treatment is successful

I think you need to take this a step at a time and have another talk with your consultant about the risks and benefits of the various treatments. A hysterectomy might make you feel better psychologically, but is it actually proven to improve the chance of a good outcome? Are there any additional risks in having a hysterectomy after chemo and radiotherapy? I think you need answers to those questions before putting yourself in for surgery.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. My mum was diagnosed with cervical cancer a year ago but the tumor was in a position preventing a hysterectomy.

I think I'd ask for it as it would put your mind at rest. I know how hard it is when cancer spreads and the future is uncertain so I think anything that would positively affect you psychologically is a good thing.

I'm sorry you're faced with such a difficult situation. In your shoes, I would want to speak to the consultant again and take someone with me. Also, you are entitled to a second opinion so I'd explore that option and see what another doctor suggests.

for you.

Thank you for your thoughts. I've made an appointment to discuss with my doctor and will also ask my specialist nurse.
Sadly my consultant is not proving much help in actually giving my factual information to base my decision on. I find myself googling a lot.

I think it would certainly give me some peace of mind.

You must speak to your consultant and ask to be told what risks there are to having a hysterectomy after the chemo and radiotherapy.

You need to make an informed choice.
Good luck with your next appts.

Hi Nonna it's quite a complex question and I'm not sure that anyone without an in depth knowledge of cervical cancer and the side effects of surgery and radiotherapy is going to be able to answer. You really need to speak to both your surgeon and oncologist about this.

Ultimately it comes down to whether having combined treatment is a) technically possible b) likely to improve your outcome and c) likely to cause more side effects.

You mentioned that your surgeon said he can't refuse to perform a hysterectomy on you. This is not strictly true - if he feels that the surgery is not warranted and not in your best interest then he can (and probably should) refuse to do it.

Good luck and I hope that you get the answers you need. If not it might be worth seeking a second opinion so that you can be confident that you are being offered the best treatment for you.

Have you been advised to do things this way so that you can start chemo & radiotherapy straight away?

My mum had an operation to remove her ovaries (& attached cancer) and then had to wait 6 weeks to recover from surgery before the chemo started.

Is your consultant saying that chemo & radiotherapy should remove your tumour completely? Without surgery?

I totally understand what you are saying and, on the face of it, I would feel exactly the same. However, I'm struggling a bit to understand the reasons for the consultant not wanting to operate.

Lazy - the treatment of ovarian cancer is completely different to

Sorry posted too soon

Lazy - cervical cancer is treated completely differently to ovarian cancer so you can't really compare the two.

Wow, what tough decision, NonnaMai. So sorry you are dealing with this.

If I had children (as I do) I would very probably be asking for a hysterectomy.

First I would ask the consultant what he would advise his wife/daughter/sister/mother to do.

In all cancers, treatment depends on the stage it is at and the particular type of cancer it is.

The original plan was to do a radical hysterectomy with no need for chemo. When it was discovered that the cancer had spread to a lymph node it was decided that radio and chemotherapy was the best option. I agree with this as it is the best way to kill any cells that may have spread from my lymph nodes.
It is possible to have a hysterectomy following chemo, indeed this is an option for some women. At this stage my consultant doesn't think it's the best option for me based on his belief that radio/chotherapy will eradicate the tumour I have at the moment. I will the be closely monitored to see if the cancer returns.
My wish for a hysterectomy is based solely on the fear that as two smears missed the cancer in the early stages it may happen again. It I would be purely to give me some peace of mind.

Jollyb - yes, I do know that. Having lost mum, dad, and several other family members to different cancers, I realise that treatments are very different. I didn't mean to directly compare the two - I only used mum's situation as an example (and it was actually a bowel cancer secondary attached to her ovaries, rather than ovarian cancer as such) in case any post-op recovery time was a possible reason for not offering surgery.

Good luck with your appointments NonnaMai, I hope the consultant can give you the answers you need to make a decision. I'll be thinking of you.

If you can have it have it! And ask to take everything away. Are they planning to take away your lymph nodes aswell? I've been there about 4 years ago so can answer any worries you have. Wish you all the best x