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Radical Hysterectomy In January 2022

LauraA1
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Hi there,

I'm 33 and following an abnormal smear and colposcopy, I was told that I'm a polyp they found Villoglandular adencarcinoma. I had to have an urgent MRI and PET scan followed by a LLETZ with a 'top hat' as the consultant said he wouldn't be able to be sure where the stalk had grown from. 3 weeks after that (this Tuesday) I was told that what was removed was large, 23x30x8 and at the time of the LLETZ he couldn't see anything thing of concern. However, what was removed was stage 1B2 and would need lymph node sampling and a radical hysterectomy. The pet scan and MRI were clear. 

I am coming to terms with it. I am a nurse and I have no children. I had no symptoms. Not that I would notice after the last 2 years at work. He said the ovaries will stay but if the lymph nodes are positive then I'll need radiotherapy.

I have so many questions and I just keep panicking. I'm off work and my friends, colleagues and family are very supportive. 
 

Would they need to take all lymph nodes? I'm so worried about Lymphoedema on top of everything else. The consultant did say that it would be done via keyhole but that could be something that changes....

sorry if so many people have already posted about something similar but has anyone had a similar experience?

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    Hi Laura

    I have in effect had more than a radical hysterectomy in more major surgery for cervical cancer so I do know something about it-lymph node sampling is just that-sampling and not removing all the nodes. Not everyone gets lymphoedema after lymphnode removal-for example I didn’t, but it something just to be aware of. 

    My concern would be doing keyhole surgery, as research has shown a higher risk of recurrence when this is done as opposed to open abdominal surgery for cervical cancer. My hospital now does not do keyhole surgery for this procedure because of this. I’m presuming he is keeping your ovaries so that you don’t go into surgical menopause, but if you were to need radiotherapy afterwards, this would destroy them anyway and put you into menopause. I guess he is being conservative at this point since it’s not a given that you’ll need radiotherapy, and they won’t know till they operate. 

    I’m not surprised you have a lot of questions-a radical hysterectomy is major surgery with quite a long recovery time. If you need to ask anything, please do. xx

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Minska

    Hi Minska,

    Thank you very much for your fast response and it does make me feel abit better. It seems things are moving very fast and my CNS has been in touch with the fertility team about my future options.

    I will ask about keyhole vs open abdominal surgery and see what they say. I do feel I am just going with everything I am told. I felt like a deer in headlights in the room with all this information. It's not until I came away that I was thinking of so many things. 
     

    :) xx

    Thank you! I will reach out if have anymore questions. I suppose for now it's just waiting for exact dates.

     

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