My sister has recently undergone a comb biopsy to remove pre cancerous cells after having hpv virus for a couple of years.
they have successfully removed the cells but have found cancerous cells in her uterus.
the only Information she has been given is that she needs to attend a pre op appointment to have a hysterectomy.
What happens around tests to ensure the cancer cells have not spread, will this happen after the hysterectomy or part of the pre op.
also is radiotherapy a standard procedure after a hysterectomy or does it depend on the biopsy once removed?
Hi Ams123
Welcome to the womb group.
I am sorry to hear that your sister has cancerous cells in her uterus.
What I would expect to happen now is for her to have a scan to stage the cancer. (ie to see if there is any spread and where) The biopsy she has already had (when the cancerous cells were found) will give a provisional grade. Stage is about where the cancer is and grade is about how it behaves.
The pre op is a routine thing that happens to make sure she is fit for surgery. For me there were general checks, height, weight, blood pressure, ECG etc. Many ladies are offered the surgery via key hole. For me it was a straightforward surgery, I had little pain and went home the next day. I recovered quickly.
After the surgery the tissue that is removed will be sent to pathology and will be examined in detail. This will give your sister a final stage and grade and some other genetic details. It is these results that will confirm whether the surgery alone is enough, whether any internal or external radiotherapy is needed and whether any chemo may be advised.
When your sister goes for her pre op she can ask for a provisional stage/grade if she wants to know. It may then give her an indication of whether further treatment is needed. Unless a low grade and very low stage, most ladies would be offered some.
Jane
