Hi All
I’ve been active on the womb forum, having received a diagnosis of expected grade 1, stage 1a endo cancer in November. I was told the intention is to cure, with a hysterectomy
I had the hysterectomy last Thursday, at home recovering. I’ve read my discharge notes, and saw that they’re carrying out a biopsy specifically on my left ovary
I’ve spoken with my CNS this afternoon who told me that the surgeon found a growth ‘like a small bunch of grapes’ and he’s thinking it’s endometriosis, as I have extensive endo and the ovary was attached to my pelvis, but can’t guarantee it’s not ovarian cancer. I won’t get the results most probably until next week.
my EC diagnosis has sent my mental health spiralling, I was then trying to focus on the recovery from my surgery and now I’ve got this to worry about.
I just wanted to ask whether anyone had had a similar experience and whether you had a positive outcome.
thank you
Hi Lizbot794e09
I know from chatting with you before that your personal mental health is very challenging for you at the moment, and I can appreciate that you are going to worry hugely about what has been seen after your hysterectomy.
I’d be encouraged by your surgeon believing it is your endometriosis which has attached itself to your ovary-after all he is dealing with these things in surgeries very regularly and will be experienced in what he’s looking at.
Obviously histology will provide an answer, but with extensive endometriosis it can show up looking exactly as has been described to you in terms of looking like a bunch of grapes. It’s standard to check everything which has been removed in surgery, so it’s just a case of being thorough. I had a lot removed in my own gynae surgery and everything had to be checked as a matter of course. I had a higher stage cancer than you, but still had no spread to my ovaries when they were removed.
I’m not sure if you’ll find anyone in this group who has had a similar experience, as most of the members will have been investigated specifically for ovarian cancer, and may well have had a confirmed diagnosis of this, so I’d caution some care when reading replies, as they may be in a very different situation to you.
Your provisional cancer stage and grading was not an advanced cancer, and there was no sign of spread indicating a higher stage, but internet searching may well increase your anxiety if you are doing that. I’ve had my complete reproductive system and much more removed in my own surgery and I’m considered cured after almost 6 years without a further recurrence. There is no reason to assume at the moment that your own hysterectomy will not have the same curative outcome.
I hope that your physical recovery from surgery is going well and you’re feeling glad to have got it over and done with.
Sarah xx
