testing borderline tumors for estrogen receptive

[gopackers]

I was diagnosed last year with a borderline serous tumor.  It was stage l with no invasion or implants.  Just one in my left ovary.  Because my husband and I were done having children, my gyn/oncologist recommended a complete hysterectomy (remaining ovary,uterus cervix as well as omentum)  He also did several pelvic washings.  Everything came back negative for malignancy on the pathology report.  My question is that because I was 35 at the time of surgery, my doctor recommeded estrogen replacement.  I have been reading on forums where people with borderline tumors do not take estrogen replacement because their tumors tested positive for estrogen receptive.  As far as I know, my doctor did not test my tumor for that and he has never talked about it.  I was so extremely apprehensive about the estrogen replacement but my doctor assured me many times that I would do well on it and that it was fine for me.  I am so scared that maybe I made a bad choice.  I wonder could I cause myself to have a recurrence because of the HRT or even cause ovarian cancer because of it?  Also, should I ask my doctor to have it tested?  Are there certain types of borderline tumors that would test positive for this?  My pathology report just said serous borderline tumor so I am assuming it was not micropapillary but I will check with my doctor. Thank you so much for your time.  I really appreciate your help.
Amy

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
estrogen replacement therapy is not associated with recurrence of borderline tumors.Yes they can have ER and PR
take care

[gopackers]

Thank you so much Dr. Goodman for taking the time to answer my question.  I was just wondering though could the estrogen replacement cause a recurrence and do they usually test these borderline tumors for estrogen receptive?
Thanks for your time.
Amy

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There
you are in good shape. Your doctor did the right thing for you.
estrogen at your age is safe. In fact , there is evidence that women who have their ovaries removed have a higher risk of heart attack.That is probably due to loss of estrogen.

You should get yearly mammograms and consider estrogen replacement therapy to replace what your ovaries were naturally giving you. When you are in your 50's, you can taper off estrogen.

Of course, it is your choice.
If you decide not to do estrogen , be sure you take calcium, vitamin d replacement and do daily exercise for cardiovascular health. (well, you should probably do that anyway!)
best wishes!