ablation and cancer

I had an ablation because of heavy bleeding.  For the next two years I had no bleeding but extreame abdomial (abdominal) pain two hours every day.  Until,  One day I started bleeding so badly I ended up in the hospital with a transfusion.  A month or so later I had a hysterectomy that found endometrial cancer.  Is there a connection between cancer and ablation?  Additionally, the life ruininng pain stopped after my hysterectomy.  Could I of possibly had cancer befor the ablation?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,

Ablation does not cause cancer.
However, an ablation of the lining of the uterus (which is called the endometrium) will scar down the lining. Commonly the cavity of the uterus will also be scarred. This will prevent the ability to do a biopsy of the lining in the future.  So a cancer of the endometrium is difficult to diagnose after an ablation because it is not possible to biopsy.

It is good practice to do a biopsy of the lining or a dilation and curettage before an ablation is performed. This is done to check for cancer . You can ask your doctor if that was done.

The pain may have been from bleeding that was happening from a section of the endometrium but because of the scar, the blood could not pass.

The only solution for women who have bleeding after an endometrial ablation is a hysterectomy. You had the right intervention.
best wishes