Update - pathology/surgical report

[AJ70]

Hi everyone - after having one ovary/tube/and large tumor taken out (cancerous) - I was awaiting pathology report to find out staging and treatment options. They thought in surgery that I probably was a 1c. Well - I found out that evidence shows that I am actually 1a (!!!) - that the cancer seemed contained in the tumor - 4 washings came back nagative for malignancy, and even the surface of the ovary was negative for malignancy (?) However - the tumor had endometriod and clear cell carcinoma in it - and since clear cell is so aggressive - they automatically graded my cancer as grade 3 and told me chemo is absolutely necessary "just in case".  So I am very lucky to have found it when I did!! I do count my blessings.........

However - what confuses me and makes me a bit upset is that the gyne/onc didn't do any biopsies when in there......not my lymph nodes, not odenum, etc. Nothing. No actual proper staging at all.......I was upset by this and even my regular oncologist (not surgeon) apologized to me that it wasn't done (!) She said she wasn't sure why but that my surgeon must have felt it was contained and the area looked clear. I asked if I should get it done anyway, before chemo, or have a CT scan or anything. She said no. That there is no reason to think the cancer is anywhere else due to the washes all being negative.........and if anything - biopsies might show microscopic cells which wouldn't change my treatment option - I would still need chemo.........but that my success rate would then be lower if they did find some........that would be the only difference.............

I am confused. This seems odd to me that nothing was done to make sure - and makes me nervous as they found an aggressive cancer......that is fine if all they would find doing biopsies was anything that would point to chemo - but what if they found more that would have meant possible hysterectomy? I am not sure about this - I think more should have been done just in case.............does this make sense?

I know I am really lucky and I am really relieved......but something isn't sitting right with me about this......I don't get it........why nothing more was done.

I start chemo on the 28th......a bit nervous but will be happy to be making sure no cells are left unturned!!

Thanks,

Amy

[jlock]

Dian gave you some excellent tips.  She is right another surgery right now wouldn't be the best for you. It is something to consider once your done with your chemo.  We will all help as much as we can,and the fact that your Oncs are so far away,I don't suppose you can get a second opinion.  Again right now it's something to think about in your future and not now.((((hugz)))~~~Joanne

[AJ70]

Thanks ladies. You don't know how much your support means to me, and knowledge too. This really hasn't been sitting well with me - as good as the news was (staging) with the aggressiveness of the cancer it made absolutely no sense to me why she didn't do a hysterectomy or at the very least - some kind of staging via biopsies, etc. My husband wants so very much to believe in the surgeon, stating that if the washes came back clean - that MUST mean all is well. But I don't have  good feeling........I don't feel that everything was done that should have been........what exactly does the washes show? Just that there are no malignant cells floating around in there? But they aren't conclusive, are they? I mean - great news but.......without any staging - how can we believe that is all there is to know?

I am frustrated as this team of gyn/on that work together are supposed to be excellent......and living in such a rural area (they are 4 hours away) it is not like I can head across the city to the next team of specialists, you know?

Scary..........when they take your life into their hands like that.........

You are all wonderful, amazing women - I have read so much but know so little it is hard to respond to your stories......thanks for being a support to me!!!

Amy

[marie3B]

Dian's post said it all very well.  I just wanted to add that you have my support and I am glad it was found early.  Marie

[turtledovemom]

I think I sensed what dian was doing to your doc.  Ditto to everything that she said.  We are here to walk you through this.  Keep us posted...stay strong.
peace,
Anne

[dian07]

This is my second response to you......I had to start over as I was ripping your gyn/oncologist a new one!  Okay, you are where you are right now.  I can't imagine anyone would consider another surgery so soon after the first one as that would really jeapordize your strength and you need as much of that as you can muster to go through chemo.  Chemo is tough but it is doable.  
They should have done a complete hysterectomy but they didn't ...... perhaps you will want to consider that procedure once you are recovered from chemo......you will have plenty of time to consider that.  It would be wise for you to try not to waste any energy being angry about your situation....just keep moving ahead one step at a time.
You know....when you are wise enough to have a gyn/onc perform your surgery....you just expect more......I am so sorry you are doing everything right and you are still being let down.  Please do stay in touch ....I will walk through this with you .....there are many others here who will do the same.  Take care Amy.
Peace.
dian