treatment for womb cancer without a hysterectomy.

Hello. I noticed exactly the same. Everyone seems to have a hysterectomy and I didn't. I did have an oophorectomy (removal of ovaries and tubes) before my cancer diagnosis. I started chemotherapy in September. 

Hi Redren

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of endometrial cancer. You are right in thinking that most ladies are offered a hysterectomy as a first line treatment. There are however some other options. They tend to be used where there are concerns about surgery due to coexisting conditions or sometimes for eg; where a lady who has not yet had children and wants to preserve fertility. In these circumstances sometimes a hormone treatment can be offered. However this tends to be only for lower grade and lower stage cancers. 

This link shows some of the potential treatments, however it may be worth giving the Support Line a call and talking it through with one of the nurses. 

Womb cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support

Jane

Thanks for reply. hope all goes well

Hi Redren

I was initially given chemotherapy and last December I was supposed to have exploratory surgery and a hysterectomy but my surgeon didn't proceed with either as he felt that the cancer had spread too far down my vagina.  My oncologist strongly disagreed with the surgeon's decision.  Instead I was given radiotherapy (external and brachytherapy).

I assume that some people are just not candidates for a hysterectomy because of the location and size of their tumour.

Rhona

Hi Redren 

If your other health conditions mentioned in your profile are the reason for their hesitancy for operation, they maybe hoping that the Mirena coil could help shred the womb thickness and with it the low grade cancer cells.

If you do a search on Mirena in this forum you may find some cases that you find helpful.

I’m a little late to this but I am being treated for grade1 stage 1A with just hormone tablets. They were reluctant to operate due to a hernia and high bmi which they thought might affect wound healing. Diagnosed end of August, follow up biopsy early November with results of no malignancy at present. Follow up in 6 months. I think I have been lucky in being diagnosed early and hope this gives some reassurance.

Hi, that's good news! Will you continue with the tablets for some time now - or will they stop at some point? I have a Mirena coil fitted and my first follow-up biopsy is in Feb....

Thanks. Yes the tablets will continue for the foreseeable and 6 monthly checks. They wanted me to have the coil but I was a bit reluctant having heard that some people had a bad experience. Glad it’s working for you though as it delivers the hormones where they are needed. Hope the biopsy goes well.