Tamoxifin vs. Removing the Ovaries???

tabby · April 2009

Decisions! Decisions! My BS has told me I will probably have to take tamoxifin after bilateral masectomies or I could opt to remove ovaries. I have been reading a bit and now understand that the ovaries aren't the only makers of hormones. Will it solve my problems or create new ones if I remove ovaries? I don't mind getting rid of them but would hate to do it only to have to end up on something if that doesn't get rid of the estrogen/progestrone. I need more information from those who have been there. Please help me make sense of this one. I need pros and cons here I guess. Thank you all! Hope you are doing well.

rferraris · April 2009

This is how it has been explained to me. Your pituatary gland also makes estrogen. Your bones need your ovaries because of osteoparosis (sp). Also something about the heart but I can't remember that right now. I have a genetic disposition for blood clots so any further surgery puts me at risk for a DVT. I take Tamoxifan (done 2 1/2 of 5 years). One of the first side effects of Tamoxifan is a chance of blood clots. Since we've come half way through the treatment and I metabolize the Tamoxifan perfectly we've decided to leave my ovaries in. I was only 35 at my diagnosis in 2006. Also, I am not BRCA positive so my chance of ovarian cancer is not increased.

Hope this helps!

Sukiann · April 2009

rferraris, thanks for the great explanation. I also have a blood clot problem. My brother has had dvt and has had two pulmonary embolisms. There is no dx of a blood disorder so his hematologist (who is also my oncologist) doesn't want to take the chance of putting me on tamoxifan since he can't test me to see if I have this unknown "disorder" too. Just because he has the clotting problem doesn't necessarily mean that I have it too but both ouf us have a deadly arrhthymia that could be related to this clotting. Anyway, I'm considering taking my ovaries out as well. I don't want to but if it helps.... Also, Tabby, what about lupron shots? Any talk of that with your oncologist?

roseg · April 2009

Tabby - you have a pretty small amount of cancer. Are you going to have chemothearpy?

Surgeons are the cutting guys. They understand about cancer, but they also run off at the mouth about things they're only partially up to speed on. Like most guys!

Wait until you talk to your Oncologist. He/She will explain your risks and help you make a good decision.

Anonymous · April 2009

there is a thread about this in the Stage III forum you might want to read. Seems there are lots of options, but your clotting problems (or potential problems) might make some choices more suitable for you.

tabby · April 2009

Rose: I am trying to avoid chemo. We will have to make that decision after the breast tissue is examined in full after bilateral masectomies scheduled May 7. We'll see. I think my breast surgeon just know me and knows I don't want to take stuff (like the tamoxifin) because of the side effects and who knows what it will do down the road. She knows I like the time to research this stuff myself so I feel like I'm not losing total control. She didn't scare me, just mentioned this as I asked her the question in our last visit.

Sukiann: I haven't seen the oncologist yet as they seem to think they "got" all of the cancer. Nothing showed up on any tests, we were blessed to find this in the biopsy. I will see one once my masectomies are done and the final pathology report is in as we will have all the info then to make some long-term decisions.

Tamoxifin vs. Removing the Ovaries???

Comments

Categories