Re Occurrence of Cervical cancer

Hi Kermit the Frog and welcome to our group

I don’t know the details of your original diagnosis or cancer stage etc,so I can only tell  you what happened to me.

I had a recurrence of my stage 2b cervical cancer where my surgeon tried a salvage hysterectombut it was unsuccessful due  to my radiation damage.  When I was opened up, it was found that my womb and bladder were stuck together and couldn’t be successfully separated, so my hysterectomy couldn’t go ahead,-I  was stapled up and sent home to recover. None of my radiation damage had been picked up on scans.

It would be useful if you could complete your profile details to tell us about the stage of your cancer and treatment you have undergone, and in particular how long ago you had radiotherapy. I needed to have a total pelvic exenteration, but that may not be your situation-it’s hard to tell from the information you have given us at this point. 

Sarah xx

Thanks Sarah, I had radiotherapy 2 years ago, cancer had spread to ovaries so they were removed. My radiotherapy seemed to be continuing to shrink tumor but recent scan showed it coming back. My Gynee consultant said the surgery is difficult due to radiotherapy treatment and at risk of damage to both bladder and bowel. 

It was too difficult for me, so I understand where you’re coming from.

I personally wish I hadn’t tried the salvage hysterectomy as mine was unsuccessful and I had to have the exenteration surgery.

I personally wish I’d gone straight to the exenteration as I would potentially been in a better state  for my further surgery, 9 weeks after the attempted salvage hysterectomy. There is a definite risk to bladder and bowel-my cancer had spread over my bladder when they opened me up. That was never seen on a scan. There was no cancer in my bowel, only radiation damage but I still asked for it to be removed. It’s a tough decision for you, but I really hope you have a successful outcome.

Sarah xx

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Did you ever have a Pet Scan, it shows an Uptake of cancer better than MRI scans... Did they only notice cancer on the bladder during your hysterectomy? 

I had a pet scan when they identified my recurrence on an mri scan and I had a biopsy under general anaesthetic. It showed uptake on my cervix in exactly the same location as my original tumour, but nowhere else. The spread across my womb and bladder didn’t show up until I was opened up for the salvage hysterectomy.

Sarah xx

Did you have your hysterectomy? 

I

Hi, yes I did, 29th Jan. Couldn't get rid of all the cancer, it had gone into the surrounding tissue which hadn't been spotted on pre MRI or Pet Scan. I get another scan 23rd April for a baseline rert. I now don't have confidence in scans if they apparently can't show up where cancer has spread too

I'm sorry to hear this.

I'm terrified, I'm due to have salvage hysterectomy, consultant as scared me into not wanting it, saying about damaging organs or opening me up and can't continue. My pet scan shows nothing,mri show little shadow in same place as original and biopsy came back microscopic. But worried scan not showing everything.

How did yours go? Mine will be coming up for 1 year finishing radiotherapy. 

Hi Kermit the Frog 

I’m sorry to read that your cancer wasn’t completely removed in your surgery. Do you have a plan going forward with further treatment?

Sarah xx

I'm due an MRI this week for a baseline report. Been told they'll just keep reviewing it before or if Chemo would be an option but only has Palliative treatment. Been told it's incurable.