Hi I have been given a diagnosis last week age 39 of womb cancer. I have an MRI tomorrow to look at if it’s in the muscle or not and then that determines treatments which is likely hysterectomy. I am very upset saf and angry we have no children and hoped to a family now those hopes feel snatched. Hoping to find people to talk with who have been through this or are going through this.
Hi Amy
Welcome to the Womb group.
I am sorry to hear that you have had a diagnosis of womb cancer and understand what a worrying time it is.
The MRI is basically to stage the cancer and see exactly where it is and then this helps decide on the best possible treatment plan. I would expect the MRI results to go along with your other results to a multidisciplinary team meeting within the next couple of weeks- maybe sooner. After that it is likely that they will be able to advise on a treatment plan.
For most ladies, where it is medically possible a hysterectomy is the first line treatment. However there can occasionally be other treatment offered where preserving fertility is important to the woman. This would depend on different factors- but the stage and grade are important. It is normally only a possibility for a grade 1 cancer that is stage 1a. (where the cancer is confined to the womb and has not grown more than 50% into the muscle.
If the treatment is possible it is normally a mirena coil and would involve active monitoring, including repeat biopsies to make sure it is working. I do not want to give you false hope but make you aware that sometimes it can be an option. This would be something to discuss with your consultant.
If the hormonal treatment is not an option then most ladies are offered a hysterectomy and mine was done via keyhole in 2022. It was straightforward, I had little pain, went home the next day and recovered well. After the surgery everything that is removed is sent to pathology. This will give a final stage and grade and it is this that they use to determine whether further treatment is needed. For some ladies a hysterectomy is enough. Others may be offered chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I had both.
I was older than you when I had my diagnosis and already a Mum and I know that the diagnosis must be particularly hard when you had hoped to have a family. The link below takes you to some info that may help. I found it useful to have all the information before meeting with the consultant so I knew what was possible and what to ask about- that was important to me. We do have the Support Line available from 8am-8pm daily and it can sometimes help to talk things through with someone who is neutral.
Fertility and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
This link takes you to the Womb cancer booklet that many ladies- including myself have found helpful.
Womb cancer booklet | Macmillan Cancer Support
I hope this helps a bit. I wish you well for your MRI tomorrow and we are here when you need us. If there is anything you want to ask about, there are many lovely ladies on here who will want to offer you support.
Jane
