Hi, I have just been diagnosed with clear cell endometrial cancer. Has anyone else had this? I am at the early stages waiting on a full hysterectomy, I'm not sure if it's curable
Hi Cliobus
Welcome to the Online Community and the Womb group.
I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of clear cell endometrial cancer.
There are several different types of endometrial cancer and clear cell is what is known as a type 2 cancer. Clear cell is named because of how the cells look under the microscope.
Endometrial cancer especially when caught at an early stage is usually a very treatable cancer. The normal first line of treatment is a hysterectomy- where it is medically possible. This alone may be enough to remove the cancer however some ladies may be advised to have some follow up treatment. For me this was chemo and radiotherapy.
From the biopsy they have a provisional grade for the cancer- and clear cell is a grade 3 cancer. This simply means that it can- in some ladies behave a little more aggressively. It does not necessarily mean it has spread- but it has the potential to do so more quickly than a lower grade cancer. I also had a grade 3 cancer.
The stage of the cancer is seen on the scans that you will likely to have had by now. The scan will show whereabouts the cancer is and whether it has spread. A stage 1 cancer is confined to the womb. A stage 2 cancer is where there is spread into the cervix. A stage 3 cancer is where there is a little spread within the pelvis. And stage 4 is where there is evidence of spread outside the pelvic area.
After surgery everything that is removed is sent to pathology and it is these post op results that will confirm your final stage and grade and they use this to determine whether any further treatment is needed.
There are other ladies on here with type 2 endometrial cancers. I myself remain well and have had no recurrence and am nearly 3 years post treatment.
This link may be helpful.
Womb cancer booklet | Macmillan Cancer Support
Having a diagnosis of cancer and awaiting treatment is naturally a worrying time and if talking things through would help then please do give the Support Line a call.
I hope that you have a date for your hysterectomy soon and I found that once I knew what my treatment was likely to be and when- things felt a bit more in control.
In the meantime if there is anything you want to ask about, please do so.
Jane
