Stages and grades after hysterectomy

Hi, I was similar two years ago initially 1b grade 1/2, but when it was reviewed by the specialist teams on the MDT meetings down to 1a grade 1 and no radiotherapy. I understood from other oncology and radiology specialists I know as friends and family this is NOT uncommon as the specialist centres see so many more samples than local centres.

All the best on your journey

Hello Mollysue

Further treatment is decided by a few things.

Final grade and stage/type of cancer/any spread found and any genetic results. Some of us needed adjunct treatment and some didn't.

I don't understand it all as I'm not medically trained but I do know your treatment will be tailored to you. It is not something you can predict.

I found the waiting for the final results difficult as I'm sure we all did. They did a POLE test on my post op results too. But they did explain it all to me and why I needed radiotherapy in the end. I am sure they will explain it to you too.

Best wishes

Kim

Hi mollysue,

The mri/scans give a good idea to the consultants which is why they are able to give a provisional stage and grade. With the post op pathology they are able to give a much closer and more thorough look. Stages and grades may change, they may stay the same but it's hard to predict. The post op pathology also will reveal some genetic type markers that also can influence further treatment. 

Before surgery I was given stage 1-2. I was not given a grade. I was told that surgery would probably be enough on its own. If cells had got to my cervix then I might have to have some brachytherapy. (Internal radiotherapy) I was told no chemotherapy. External beam radiotherapy was not mentioned. 

Post op it was stage 1b. The type of womb cancer was confirmed as a carcinoma sarcoma (I did not know this before as it can only be identified post op. There are several different types of womb cancer.). I had chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy. 

If the grade is low and the stage is low- eg; contained within a polyp etc- then it is possible to not need any further treatment. This would normally be for low grade, low stage, no LVSI, type 1 cancers)

Although it is hard to wait and the thought of any further treatment is scary, its a case of waiting to hear the detailed results and for them to look at them and recommend what happens next. No one can make you have any further treatment and it may be possible that the surgery alone will be enough but if you do need more treatment they will talk to you in detail about why it is needed. It is then a decision to make weighing up all the pros and cons. 

Crossing my fingers for you that yours remains low stage and grade. My advice- I know its hard-is to try not to worry too much now and focus on your recovery from the op. Worrying will not change anything. Let the doctors look at your results and trust in that they will make the best decision for you. Once they have done this they will help you make an informed decision about what is best for you.

Hope you do not have to wait too much longer

Jane

Hi Mollysue,

My stage and grade changed pre op once my scans etc had been reviewed by Royal London - I went from stage 2 to stage 3. It all stayed the same post op. Good luck and as Jane said, don't worry, it won't change it.