Removing Ovaries

godu

Removing Ovaries

godu

 

Hi Ladies,

 

I had my last chemo last week.  My doctor wants me to move on to the next phase of treatment, that is, hormone therapy.  As an added measure, he also wants me to remove my ovaries to reduce my estrogen level through hormone injections, or radiation or surgery.  I think it is pretty extreme since I have only stage 1 cancer. 

 

My doctor was unable to tell me the chances of not having cancer recurrences if I remove my ovaries.  If any one has similar experiences or some ideas about it, I certainly would like to hear from you.

 

Thank you.

 

Godu

DR30

HI. I'm in the same situation, except I'm married with no children.  I'm also in Stage I but Grade III.  The onc. told me the same thing.  But I still not sure what to do.  Someone suggest me to start with Lupron and hormonal treatment and then do remove my ovaries.  Like you I don't know what is the best option. DR30

Anonymous

Hi:  I had a hysterectomy shortly after my cancer diagnosis ...   but other factors were involved.   I had uterine fibroids which were causing heavy bleeding ...  I was taking the pill to control the bleeding ... of course the pill was feeding my cancer which was very strongly estrogen and progesterone positive.  So.. I had to stop taking the pill and deal with the fibroids ...   I chose to do the hysterectomy.  

If I didn't have the fibroids I probably would have chosen to have the Lupron shots (since it's not permanent).  

Hugs to both of you,

Doreen  

wishiwere

I'm assuming it's be/c of the grade or that you are young that he's wanting to do this?  Has he suggested tamox instead or as and alternative? 

Bren-2007

Hi Godu, and DR30 too,

It sounds like your doctor is recommending three possible types of estrogen suppression.  Surgical removal of your ovaries, radiation to your ovaries and Lupron injections to stop the production of estrogen.  Because he mentioned the injections, I'm going to guess that you are younger and premenopausal. 

That would seem extreme, except taking into consideration your age and the size of your tumor.  If you plan on having children, your best bet would be injections and taking Tamoxifen for the time being.  Radiation or ovary removal is permanent.

I was Stage I too.  My tumor was only 7 mm, so small. I had a lumpectomy and radiation, no chemo. I was 51 last year when I was diagnosed, so no chemo was recommended based on my age and tumor size.  I also had already had my ovaries removed with a prior hysterectomy. 

If you're concerned about what your doctor is suggesting, please consider getting a second opinion.  You have time to do this before moving on the next stage of treatment.  Don't rush into surgery unless you're comfortable with all the information.

Please let us know how you're doing.  We're going to check back and see how you are!!

Bren

Anonymous

I can't offer any personal experience here since my ovaries shut down on their own (autoimmune response) when I was 17 and I went through menopause then. I took HRT on & off throughout the years and ended up with estrogen-fed BC. In any event, it was never an issue for me. Infertility, however, was a huge issue since by the time I turned 30, I desperately wanted a baby. Fortunately, I wasn't hung up on the actual act of giving birth or needing to have a child with whom I shared blood. So my husband and I adopted my daughter. She was 36 hours old at the time and is now 24 years old and the most awesome person I know. But that's just my experience. If you're young and don't already have children, a hysterectomy is a very serious decision. Of course, taking whatever action you need to in order to survive this disease is paramount and may actually trump the childbearing issue. But only you can decide that.

I'd agree with Brenda's recommendations to consider a second opinion AND to take your time and consider all of the factors, including the emotional impact. It may not be a bad idea to make an appointment with a counselor who specializes in such issues or just one who can help you to explore your feelings about each of your options.

Good luck and let us know how it unfolds for you.

~Marin

Rshat

My Onc is requiring a complete hysterectomy as a form of hormonal therapy even though my Oncotype results were very low but my family history is littered with cancer. I was only Stage 1. I am not taking tamx nor will I need any follow up drug after having the extra surgery.

godu

Thank you for your comments and advice.   I am definitely seeking a second opinion.  My appointment with my gynecologist is April 21.  Like DR30, I do not know what the best option is. Besides some of the issues you have brought up, what other things must I consider? Although I am only 44 and not planning to have any children, I simply hate the idea of 'destroying' my ovaries.  I do agree with Marin that surviving the disease is paramount.   I will certainly keep in touch with all of you.

rock

I'm ER+, 1.8 cm tumor, micromet to lymph nodes, 42 yo.

In the "for what it's worth" department (and recognizing everyone is different):  My surgeon (Mem Sloan Kettering) recommended I undergo BRCA gene counseling & testing because of my family history. She also said that only if I tested positive for BRCA should I have my ovaries removed.

dah0123

Hi Godu,

I was 34 when diagnosed with cancer (Stage 1, Grade 3).  My oncologist at Dana Farber also recommended that I have my ovaries out because chemo had already caused them to fail and she felt that because I was diagnosed so young, that there was a high probability that it was familial/genetic (though I know of no one in my family that actually had bc).  Thus, she felt that I was at risk for ovarian cancer and colon cancer since they are related to bc.  I agreed and had my ovaries out and started going for colonoscopies immediately.  Even if my ovaries hadn't already failed, I probably would have agreed as my main concern was surviving this disease.

Debbie

dah0123

Rockthebald,

My oncologist at Dana Farber in Boston said that even if I didn't have BRCA1, there are many genes that still haven't been discovered (we now have recognized BRCA2 and someday they will also discover a BRCA3, BRCA4, etc.).  Thus, her take was that you can't say that it isn't genetic just because you don't have BRCA1.

Debbie

Jaybird627

Just thought I'd bump this up.

I HATE having less estrogen and no sex drive. My gyne has been pushing for me to have my ovaries out and at my onc visit last week he agreed that it should be done. He also said that he wouldn't recommend nor prescribe "anything" (such as estring, etc.) until I was 5 years out. Hrmph. I'm at the 3-year mark now.

So, since I'm mostly in menopause and (grudgingly) getting used to no/very little estrogen how will this surgery affect me? I'm guessing very badly since chemopause was horrible and tamoxifen was just as bad (with even more side effects).

Depending on the cost (I have to figure in my deductable) I'm going to either have it this Fall or sometime early next year. I just even go for broke and have a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy since I have no sex drive anyway.

I really want to be here for my daughter (she's only 2!!!) and this is what is fueling the above thoughts/actions. I'm resigned to being alone so why not?

Anonymous

J ... I had the ooph.  Couldn't stand the s/e's from Tamoxifen.  I have s/e's from arimidex but they are liveable.  Bones/joints hurt bad in the morning.  I take calcium and just got some glucosamine.

Doing the genetic testing, just rounded up the info and considering the prophy mast.  Already had one mast even tho stage 1 ...  Same reasoning as you ...... The B reason ......  BE HERE. ... my daughter was 4 ... she is 7 now.   

paiger

Oh boy, this subject was big for me.  I was still hopeful that I might have a child of my own when BC struck.  (Age 38, stage 2, grade 3, est+ progest+)  I did the chemo, the rads, tamox and even followed my doctor's advice to do the Lupron.  Then, my insurance decided that the Lupron was experimental.  I decided THAT was a sign from above....that maybe I had a little more time with the ovaries.  I'm not even religious...but sometimes we just grab what we can, don't we?  Anyway...  off the lupron I went. Eventually, my hot flashes subsided and I my period returned.  I felt like my oldself again (just with ridiculously curly hair).  And then sometime down the road...fibroids, excessive bleeding. GAH!  I'm 41 now and reluctantly, I had to go ahead and have a full hysterectomy a couple months ago.  I cried and cried about it. Seriously, that was the hardest decision for me to make!   Now that it's "in the past" I'm okay with it and I really do feel like I'm giving myself a much better chance to live a long and happy life.  I don't know what's in my future with regards to adoption but in a strange way, I'm relieved to just be done and focus on different scenarios. The only physical set back is that those awful hot flashes have returned (third times a charm!!)  But, I actually think its easier and better than how I felt with the Lupron (I hated how I felt after that).  The surgery (lapro hysterectomy) was a cinch.  Good luck with your decisions girls...I sure wish they were easier to come by sometimes. My heart goes out to you!