trying to decide what to do

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Christine2000
Christine2000 Member Posts: 176
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

hey all--

I had my ovaries out about a month ago and while I was under the Dr checked out my uterus and removed a polyp which turned out to have abnormalities (most likely) caused by tamoxifen.The surgeon wants me to have more surgery and have my uterus removed asap. My oncologist is meeting with me thursday to discuss but has tipped me that she'll probably switch me from tamoxifen to an aromatese inhibitor and recommend that I keep my uterus but keep an eye on it. I've been off tamoxifen for a month so far while this gets hashed out. I hate it when my doctors disagree! Any advice appreciated--

Christine 

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited June 2011

    Well, my uneducated opinion would be to go with whatever your level of comfort can withstand!

    If you won't stress out with a "watch and wait" strategy then your Onc's plan sounds good - I know you would like to avoid more surgery (I would too) And switching to an AI makes sense now your ovaries are gone.  BUT, if the thought of keeping an eye on things makes you uneasy, you mayfind that surgery is the lessor of two evils.

    To me it doesn't sound as though your Onc is extremely worried, which I would take as a sign that it is probably safe to wait a bit. What sort of scans would she be giving you? (remember they are stressful too)

    Good luck with it. Let us know how it goes Thursday.

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited June 2011

    I agree with Kerry....

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  • Christine2000
    Christine2000 Member Posts: 176
    edited June 2011

    My onc's thinking is that tamoxifen often causes abnormalities BUT rarely causes uterine cancer-- and that removing the uterus causes other issues. I think I'll get another ultra sound but that's it...

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  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited June 2011

    I think Kerry gave great advice.  Good luck with everything. 

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited June 2011

    You can always get the uterus out at a later date if it's causing problems.  But you can't put it back in!  I was given the option for a BSO for the ovaries and, if I wanted, having the uterus removed also.  I didn't want to do that.  The uterus adds structure to our lower abdomen.  I'm willing to have the periodic scan and keep the useless organ in place!

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