Should I have chemo ?

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Hi, I have had the results of my hysterectomy for endometrial cancer and it was caught very early, stage 1A and has not spread! I am so blessed! It's better than winning the lottery!.

I am now waiting for an appointment to discuss chemo as a preventative. I know it is the sensible option to have the chemo but after reading how sick it makes people, I'm not sure. Has anyone refused chemo and gone for alternative natural foods etc. 

  • Great news! What grade was it?

  • 1A. I just don't know whether to have Chemo ? 

  • It was caught very early, I had my hysterectomy within 5 weeks from start to finish. 

  • Hi, 1A is the stage - I was asking the grade. It can be confusing but they’re different things

    https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/womb-cancer/womb-cancer-stages

  • Hi Flowerpower

    Am pleased to hear that your cancer was found at an early stage. 

    I was also stage 1 and had chemo and radiotherapy as adjuvant (preventative) treatment.

    It does not tend to be offered lightly and does not tend to be offered for early stage. 

    Whilst your stage is early, it is not the only important factor. 

    Grade describes the type of cancer and how it behaves. A grade 3 cancer can still be grade 1 and contained but need further treatment. 

    Do you know what grade your cancer was or the name of the type of endometrial cancer it was? It could be something like adenocarcinoma, serous, clear cell etc. There are several types and also other markers that are important. Sometimes there is something called LVSI which means that although the cancer is contained, tiny cells were found in the blood/lymphatic vessels. 

    If your cancer was one of the more aggressive types, then this may be the reason why further treatment has been offered. The further treatment would be to reduce the risks of the cancer returning. 

    Jane

           

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

  • Hi Jane, the cancer was stage 1 A. It was Serous carcinoma. It was contained. I know this is a nasty aggressive cancer. 

    I am so worried about the chemo making me ill and I will loose my hair, but I suppose its a small price to pay if it saves my life. 

  • Hi Flowerpower22

    Serous is a type 2 endometrial cancer and a grade 3. I had another type 2/grade 3.

    With serous it would explain why they are encouraging you do have chemo. 

    I had chemo (and radiotherapy) and would have no hesitation in doing it again. I am not saying it was easy, some of the time it was hard but it was doable.

    With these higher grade cancers the chance of recurrence is higher and my consultant said to me it is far better to mop up any stray cells while they are so tiny that they do not appear on a scan, rather than wait until they get bigger and potentially set up somewhere else in the body. If that happens then they are far more difficult to treat. 

    My chemo was carboplatin and paclitaxel and was given on a 21 day cycle. So it was one day at the hospital and 20 at home. Chemo can make you feel ill but I found it was nothing like it is portrayed in the media/films. My main side effects were nausea, tummy effects, some pain and some hair loss. I used scalp cooling and managed to keep most of my hair. Most side effects that I had were managed by medication. I tended to have a few rough days in the first week, felt better and able to do things in the second week and by the third week I felt a lot better.

    If it is the hair loss that is most concerning- it was one of the main worries for me then have a look at this. It is my experience of scalp cooling. I have popped some photos on it to show what can be achieved. Without scalp cooling I would undoubtedly lost all my hair around 2 weeks after the first chemo. It's not for everyone but I am glad i did it.

    (+) The Changing Faces of Cancer- Scalp cooling, Hair loss and Regrowth. - Macmillan Online Community

    It is hard when they believe the cancer was contained and they are suggesting further treatment- but they would not be doing this if they didn't think you needed it. For anyone with a grade 3 cancer I would definitely recommend giving it serious thought. If you click on my name my profile will come up and it will give you an idea of timings. 

    I found it really hard in that I felt well after surgery and knew the further treatment would make me feel ill but I do believe that I have given myself the best chance possible of avoiding recurrence. It could still come back- there are never any guarantees but I remain well 2 years post treatment.

    If you want to talk through your decision then perhaps give the Support Line a call.

    If you want to ask anything about my chemo then please do so.

    I wish you well, whatever you decide. 

    Jane

           

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

  • My tumour was stage 2, which is the size of it, but the cancer is a grade 4 so I am going through chemo. Good luck 

  • Thanks Jane, your information has helped me a lot. Just waiting for an appointment now and will have the chemo. 

    Sheila

  • Hi, how many chemo sessions have you had now and how are you feeling. Have you lost your hair or are you having the cooling cap, if so what does it feel like?