A Decision to Make

[canuckintx]

Hi All -  Your advice would be so appreciated!  I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2008, had lumpectomy, axcillary node removal, 30 rounds of radiation and am now on tamoxifen.  Since Sept., I have had some gastro issues (bloating, diarreha, rectal pain, lower back aches, etc.)  In January I had my regular well woman exam and my gynecologist ordered an u/s based on some of my complaints.  I have a 6 cm cyst on my right ovary - decided to wait 3 months to see if it disappeared, had another u/s on May 4th...cyst still there, not any change.  CA 125 that day was 102, so gyne referred me to gyne onco at MD Anderson in Houston.  Met with specialist last Friday and they are recommending complete hysterectomy based on my history of breast cancer, mom and sis died of colon cancer, aunt with uterine cancer...LOTS of cancer in family.  They ran another CA125, and it came back normal - 14.5.  Evidently, being on tamoxifen puts me at risk for uterine cancer.  In your opinion, is it reasonable to consent to a full hysterectomy, especially if I just have a simple cyst which is what it appears to be?  I need to decide between ovary& cyst removal and the having the entire hysterectomy by Friday as surgery is next Tuesday.
What do you think?  

[crecco]

Like the others I cannot tell you what to do, but as you are near menopause and with your family history, I believe I would have it done. That is not something you would want to put off and in a few years find out you could have ovarian cancer. The chances of finding it early are very small so I think I would take that step now and save yourself from what could be much more serious later.
  Chris

[VANative]

Hi,
I am in the processes (or was!) of making the same decision.  With your history and that of your families, I would also recommend the complete hysterectomy.  As was mentioned earlier, there is such a strong linkage between breast and ovarian cancer...it's not worth taking the risk at this point, in my opinion.  For me, I decided it will be better to have it (I'm 42) and always wonder....vs.  not having it and possibly regretting it in the future!  Best of luck!

[shewrites]

MD Anderson is one of the best places to go.  I think I'd be inclined to listen to them.

Since you're about to go into menopause anyway, I see no reason not to have a hysterectomy.  

Talk with them about removing your omentum and appendix, too.  They may not think that's necessary when they get in there, but I'm not aware of a downside and you might want to give permission to remove those items as well.

I had a complete hysterectomy.  I had an uneventful recovery and traveled to a convention (that I was running) six weeks later.  Out of an excess of caution, my husband drove me to the meeting and was on hand in case I needed to do any heavy lifting.  But I could have managed on my own.

Good luck.  

Good luck.    

[canuckintx]

Thanks for feedback.  I forgot to mention the important fact that I am 52 and close to menopausal, I believe.

[Ramsay14]

I agree with dian ad JC. Remove it all if you don't need it. That's a huge difference in CA-125 results.  I would want to retest on that.

[JC145]

I agree with Dian.  Especially if you are done with having babies, I would get rid of it all considering you had breast cancer and  family history.  If you are done with those parts, and are age approriate, I would get rid of them.

Judy

[dian07]

I can't tell you what to do.  I do, however, see how common cancer is in your family.  There is a strong correlation between breast, bowel and ovarian cancer.  You didn't say how old you are, but, still, with your odds......Ii I were you I would have everything removed and deal with surgical menopause.  Surgical menopause certainly isn't fun but it is definately better than dealing with cancer.  
Good luck with your decision making.  Please let us know how things go.
Peace.
dian