New here

  • 14 replies
  • 85 subscribers
  • 760 views

Hi , I’ve just been diagnosed with stage 1a grade2 endometrial cancer .. I’ve been so scared and now worrying that it’s spread in lymph nodes , how common is this please ?

  • Hi Laurenj

    Welcome to the Womb group.

    I can remember it feeling scary when I had my diagnosis. 

    Stage 1a is when the cancer is at its earliest stage- it is believed to be contained within the womb and to have grown less than 50% into the wall of the womb. Grade 2 describes the type of cells- and grade 2 is in the middle. 

    I would imagine that you have had a scan and biopsy that has given the provisional staging and grading. Although this can occasionally change, the doctors are pretty good at knowing where abouts the cancer is. Although it is never good to be told that there is cancer present- yours is at the best possible stage/very early- so it hasn't appeared to have spread. 

    Most ladies are offered a hysterectomy and this is often done via keyhole. After the surgery any tissue removed is sent to pathology and the stage and grade and a few other bits are confirmed. For some ladies with a confirmed stage 1A cancer, the surgery alone may be enough. For some ladies there may be some follow up treatment.

    I will pop a link to some info that you may find helpful.

    Womb cancer booklet | Macmillan Cancer Support

    We also have the Support Line (number below) if you feel that talking things through would help. 

    if there is anything you want to know or ask about, please do so.

    Jane

           

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

  • Hi,

    try not to worry too much easier said then done, you have early stages which is very treatable, with surgery and possible radiotherapy, macmillan resources are very good at explaining all. I’ve just had surgery and awaiting further results, in the beginning I was in denial and still am but also more stressed about the surgery. 
    Ask the questions you need to and write them down. 

    hope it goes well. 

  • Thank you noodle doo , it’s such a stressful time that I feel like I’m going mad . 
    Are you at an early stage ? And did they then just test your lymph nodes .. hope your recovering well from surgery .

  • Hi,

    endometrial cancer stage 1a type I, surgeon said there would be no need to remove lymph nodes before the op. Which was the case I’m pleased to say. I have staging confirmation tomorrow morning. Yes absolutely it’s a mad time, my Brain pre op was out of control ..but you kinda have to except it and things do change. I’m recovering well but wiped out and exhausted can’t do much .. but resting and excepting, I had fatigue problems beforehand so it’s all made worst. I am just about post menopause but concerned as my symptoms are far worse post op. 

    Hope things go well for you.

    Are you now awaiting the scans ? They will tell you more before they decide on surgery issues. 

  • Hi

    I was initially diagnosed as stage 1 

    Had MRI pre surgery which showed no spread .so due to initial stage of 1 no lymph nodes were removed during surgery ! 

    My staging did change after surgery and subsequent biopsy investigation of womb.etc I  found out my new stage grade and type ! 

    I was then sent  for a thorax CT scan from  chest down to groin ! 

    The results came back four weeks later thankfully showed no spread ! To nodes or other organs 

    I just completed 25 sessions of Radiotherapy! 

    23 external 

    2 Bracktherapy 

    4 weeks recovery then onto Chemotherapy! 

    I know it is a scary time  .   Try and stay positive take one day at a time and do use this forum they have for me been a wonderful resource ! 

    Best wishes to you x 

  • Thank you Cariad, I hope your feeling well and treatment is all going good . Fingers crossed Im going for my surgery next week , scared , anxious and also worrying about lymph nodes etc . 

  • Hi Lauren,

    I know it’s so difficult and mentally exhausting, I threw myself into support, Maggies centres are brilliant .. you may catch their monthly gynaecological cancers group .. you meet women through treatment, past it or a year on .. it’s hopeful and helps you to see yourself out the otherside. Maggie a is great just to pop in for a drink and a chat toLike you I was worried about lymph nodes but usually they wouldn’t be removed at stage 1a unless they notice on examination during the operation. Try not to think the worst and take one step at a time. Contact your specialist nurse and or communicate to your surgeon via his secretary.. they are really supportive and will answer all your questions ! You will get told exactly would is expected and planned for surgery. I am grateful that my staging stayed the same and 95% cured..let us know how you go. All the best. 

  • Well done for going through all that treatment, I hope you’re doing ok and getting all the support needed.

  • Thank you noodle doo u really appreciate your positive words as iv really been so stressed that my body and mind are really feeling it , I did speak to the nurse to clarify a few things and getting all the info as my brain was mush yesterday so didn’t take it all in and she said that they put dye in to detect the sentinel node in case there’s even a minute cell even though not showing on imaging so I’m grateful they are being thorough , iv just got to be positive as I’m so up and down with that and I’m normally such a positive person ..

    thank you for telling me about Maggies centre . Hope your well Relaxed

  • My surgery thankfully was very straight forward in over night due to going down at 5.00pm. 

    Keyhole total hysterectomy 

    Home by 12pm next day. 

    Do take it easy  and try  not over do it ! 

    Listen to your body .

    If you have keyhole there's not much to see on the outside I had four small incisions.and one stitch in each .

    But remember on the inside you have had major surgery and your body needs the time to recover !  I am 13 wks post Op just about recovered. 

    Take things in stages. That's what I did .

    My op

    My results 

    My treatment etc

    Best wishes for your Op