Can a hysterectomy be deferred to allow pregnancy?

Hi All, 

I'll do my best to make a long story short: 

Aug 2017 miscarried at 6 weeks

Aug 2017 received results from smear test taken in early July confirming abnormalities 

Sep 2017 Biopsy carried out - High Grade CGIN / AIS

Oct 2017 - LLETZ prcoedure carried out - margins not clear 

Jan 2018 - 2nd LLETZ procedure carried out - 3 margins clear, 1 margin not clear

Mar 2018 - MDT meeting to discuss, referred to Gyn Oncology team 

April 2018 - MRI scheduled 

May 2018 - Outpatients meeting scheduled to discuss findings of MRI

Now, I have no children, am married and would absolutely love to have a family. We were in the process of trying for one when all this began. 

I've been told I do not have cancer, the cells are precancerous, but could develop if untreated. The MRI will give a better idea of where I am at, and a treatment plan can be discussed following the results of this, but hysterectomy has been mentioned a few times. 

Here's where I'm at with that:

1) had I not miscarried, I'd have a baby by now and treatment would have been carried out afterward.

2) had I continued to TTC following the miscarriage, I'd be pregnant now (possibly) and treatment would have just had to wait. 

3) by the time I meet with the Doctors to discuss the findings of the MRI 4 months will have gone by since my last treatment. If 4 months can be allowed to go by without treatment, how urgent can a hysterectomy be? 

 

Don't get me wrong, I've been up and down and all over the place. I've been looking into surrogacy and egg retirieval in the bakground, and every other possible avenue there is to try to ensure me and my husband can become parents. More recently, following a lot of research online, I am wondering.... given the rate at which precancerous cells develop into cancer, with the correct supervision and regular screening, could a hysterectomy be delayed to allow me to try for a baby? 

 

I should probably mention that I am 35, but have ready many posts where doctors encouraged women younger than me to complete there families following similar diagnosis, and then have hysterectomy afterwards. I'm just wondering if that could be an option for me - Heck, I'd go straight for IVF if I thought it would give me a better chance of conceiving ASAP, whatever it takes! 

 

I'd really appreciate any feedback on this, and thanks for reading. 

 

  • Hello Rosey. 

    I'm really sorry to read about the situation that you find yourself in. Understandably you have many questions and concerns about the best way forwards and what your future may hold. 

    Unfortunately until you sit down and have that appointment with your Consultant next month it's unlikely that anyone will be able to give you advice to help you make the decision about what might be the best way forward. 

    We do have a team of nurses here at Cancer Research UK and I wondered if you might find it helpful to chat with them prior to your appointment. It may be that they are able to help you consider any pertinent questions that you can ask at your appointment. The nurses are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope that your appointment goes well next month. Do let us know. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Thanks Jean, I appreciate you coming back to me. 

    I had the MRI scan on Tuesday, so struggling to stop myself chasing the results for fear that it won't be the news I am hoping for. 

    I imagine my GP will make contact with me early next week to discuss the results, as she said she'd give it to me in laymans terms so I am better prepared to discuss with the consultants in May.