Womb cancer

Hi Alibingo1402,

I also had grade 3 and it does seem the worst time waiting for the results. However, once the results are back treatment can be started as needed.

All the best 

Anna

Hi Anna what stage did you have and was the treatment tough hun xx

1. Stage 2 but lymph node involvement so 3c x some days difficult but overall surprising how you get through it x 

Hi Alibongo1402

It is natural to worry and I also remember not feeling able to think of much else. 

I was also grade 3. I'm 2 years post treatment and doing ok. 

With grade 3 they do tend to offer some follow up treatment so its good to prepare for that. I wasn't expecting any so it can feel a shock otherwise. 

I think the thing to remember is that with grade 3, although it can potentially behave more aggressively in some ladies, it doesn't necessarily mean it has. The important thing is that they have a fairly accurate idea of the type of cancer and where it is so they can do the treatment that is most successful. 

I also remember myself getting really anxious thinking about stages and grades during my diagnosis and surgery but to be honest looking back, the treatment is on the whole the same. Hysterectomy with some potential further treatment to mop up any stray cells. So I was stage 1b post surgery and it would have been the same treatment for me whether I was any stage my consultant said. 

Do give the Support Line a call (or you can do online chat if you prefer) if you feel like talking it through would help.

Jane

Thank you x

Can I just ask did you have a ct scan and  a mri scan both with contrast before stageing

CT with contrast. Hospital can vary- some do just CT, some do MRI 

Not a sign of any concern- just different practices. 

I had an MRI and chest x ray for staging 

It's so reassuring to have someone here that has the same diagnosis - I was 1b and now Grade 3 - so frightened when you are told. I My initial thoughts were I am not getting over this but through talking to people and reading about this type of cancer there is lots of positives. I am halfway through Chemo- then I have 5 weeks of radiotherapy so hopefully I will have some positive news. I am very positive and my thought is I am living with Cancer not dying with it. Apparently I will be closely monitored for 2 years after and I am so happyvto hear you are 2 years down the line. 

Hi Ronny,

The important thing to remember is you are still early stage. The chemo and radiotherapy are there to mop up any stray cells that may have been left behind. it doesn't mean that there are necessarily any cells and that the cancer may well have been all removed with the surgery. 

The grade 3 describes the types of cells and there are several different grade 3 cancers. They can behave in different ways. Yes, grade 3 can behave more aggressively and tend to spread more easily but at stage 1b yours is still an early stage cancer and you have reason to remain positive. Almost all grade 3 endometrial cancers are treated more aggressively after surgery to try and prevent any recurrence. It is better to prevent a possible recurrence than to deal with it later. 

For other grade cancer at stage 1b there would likely have been just some brachytherapy or radiotherapy. The grade is what has indicated the need for chemo and external radiotherapy. The chemo is to mop up any stray cells whole body wise.(whilst they are so tiny they would be missed by scans) The radiotherapy is to deal with any in the local area. 

So if you think about it the combination is positive. The cancer was contained at stage 1b. It has been removed. The chemo mops up throughout the whole of your body and you have the extra boost in the area where it would most likely to recur. The two years of routine check ups are to double check everything and If something did recur then it would be at the most 12 weeks old. 

Hope this puts it in perspective. It is a tough journey and the treatments do take a long time but it is worth it in the end. 

I hope that the rest of your treatment goes well and if there is anything you need or want to ask, please do so.

Jane