Post Endometroid adenocarcinoma surgery

Hello, I am a 56 year old post menopausal woman who has been taking Prempro for about 3+ years, one son 22 years old.  Recently, I had some spotting, went to my Gyn (which just happens to be a Gyn/Oncologist) he advised a vaginal ultrasound, that came back lining of uterus fine but mass on left ovary.  Course of action, do a C125, results negative, and repeat ultrasound in 3 months. repeat ultrasound showed mass had gotten bigger, my decision to take it out. I went in last week for a LAVH. when he removed the left ovary with the mass, he sent it for frozen section it came back endometroid adenocarcinoma and the right ovary loaded with endometriosis.  He proceeded to remove the omentum, appendix, lymph nodes and placed a port for peritoneal chemo.  The permanent reports came back stage 2, appendix, omentum and lymph nodes all clear.  My questions are these:  I understand that endometriosis can arise from prempro use, but i cannot get anyone to confirm if the mass on my left ovary was also misplaced endometriosis turned into endometroid adenocarcinoma or are these 2 different things?? I need to understand just where this cancer came from since there is no family history.  Chemo is set to once a month for a year . thanks in advance these posts are great. Patty Cat

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi there,

I am glad you have had a comprehensive surgery. Endometriosis is not caused from hormone use. It is a condition that arises spontaneously in many women. Theoretically the progesterone in prempro maybe protective against stimulation and growth of endometriosis just as it is protective of the uterus.

Most ovarian cancers (90%) arise in women with no family history and no known gene mutation.

You made the smart decision to have surgery!
Chemotherapy is the next step.
the standard is 6 cycles of taxol and carboplatin.

best wishes to you