pelvic exam after complete Hysterctomy???

Calico
Calico Member Posts: 1,108
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Hi all,

doc denied me a pelvic exam or referal to womens clinic or gyn. Said I won't need one ever again due to lack of girlie parts.

I had pretty good pains for weeks in the right pelvic area ('ovary' area) and wonder what's up.

Last PET/CT in Sept. said 'ovaries are unremarkeble' and the right one had mild uptake in the normal range....WTF.....I had them out in 06

Onc didn't say anything about it because I had questions about something on the bone that they determined benign, so I didn't get to ask, but he must have thought it is okay too.

I now have a CT sheduled to rule out colitis (even though my colonoscopy was normal in 07 except possible celiac which wasn't confirmed/ruled out with blood tests either...I did ask for those now, but celiac, if any, would be small intentine, not down there.....).

Wondering if a "It" (boobless and no girlie parts) does really not need pelvic exams anymore.....

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Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Calico----that's not true. I had everything removed (TAH/BSO) 4 years ago due to ruptured ovarian cysts and I still get pap smears, even without a cervix. Gyn said you can still  develop vaginal cancers as there can still be cervical cells left behind, so a pap test every 2 years is recommended. (You can also develop ovarian cancer even if ovaries have been removed). My gyn also does a rectal exam.

    Anne

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Hi, my experience is the opposite.  Had everything removed in 1995 and have not had pap smear or pelvic since and that's with 3 different docs I've used since 1995.  None have recommended the exams because there's nothing to test(?)

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  • denise1962
    denise1962 Member Posts: 193
    edited April 2009

    I second Anna, my NP said to get a pap every 2 years after the hysto. I think this espically true with us that have BC. I would push for it.

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  • JustOne
    JustOne Member Posts: 226
    edited April 2009

    It must depend on your Dr.

     I had a complete hysterectomy over 15yrs ago and have had only 3 paps since then.  My new PC says it's up to me but not required. I'm opting out...see enough docs for now.

    Anne, curious though...how do you get ovarian cancer without ovaries?  I've not heard this before. Not being flip, did your dr. tell you this, you read it or what? Please share.

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  • lovinmomma
    lovinmomma Member Posts: 1,879
    edited April 2009

    My doc said they can never guarentee that they got every little bit on ovary material out and even a little bit left in can be enough for mets to the ovaries.

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  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited April 2009

    I had a hysterectomy w/BSO in June and I am to continue seeing my GYN. There is ovarian tissue in stomach tissue and that can still get cancer. Even though all my "girlie parts" have been removed, I am very aware of what to watch out for regarding female cancers...

    Linda

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  • JustOne
    JustOne Member Posts: 226
    edited April 2009

    Thanks ladies, that is so interesting. I never knew or heard this before.  It's amazing the info you get from this board!

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited April 2009

    I had a complete hyst about 25 years ago and still have pelvic exams to check out my ovaries, which are still intact.  Had paps for a while but lately the guidelines are that they aren't needed.

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  • NoH8
    NoH8 Member Posts: 2,726
    edited April 2009

    If you had a total hysterectomy (w ovaries and fallopian tubes) it depends whether you ever had a bad pap, or history of warts etc. If you had a bad pap then you will still need to get the exams,  If you have a ovaries, then I believe you still have to go.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Just one---the way my gyn explained it to me:  you can still get ovarian cancer even after ovaries are removed because of microscopic cells which remain in the peritoneal cavity, although your risk is decreased by 90%. (same thing is true for bilateral mastectomies, but that's generally because they can't guarantee they can get all the breast tissue during a mastectomy, no matter how goood the surgeon.)

    Anne

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    I had a hyster with removal of the ovaries - but they kept my cervix. I still have pap smears once a year -  didn't have any history of bad paps or warts.  So... it looks like the answer is "It depends" - on exactly what was removed - or what you still have ... plus your history - plus your doctors opinion.   So many variations!

    Doreen

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited April 2009

    BTW, there is a misconception (no pun intended) that a complete hysterectomy includes removal of the ovaries, but it doesn't.  "Hyst" refers to the uterus.  A complete hysterectomy includes removal of the cervix.

    If ovaries are removed at the same time, that part of the operation is called an oophorectomy.  If Fallopian tubes are also removed with the ovaries, it's called salpingo-oophorectomy.

    So, if you have the whole shebang out, it's called a total hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy.  Since that is such a mouthful, it's become common, although incorrect, practice among laymen to call it a complete hysterectomy.

    So, a physical pelvic exam is still medically prudent if "all" you have had is a complete hysterectomy.

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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited April 2009

    I had it all out, incl. the ovaries.

    Thank you for all your replies....that's basically what my gyn told me too...but if PCP doesn't write referal, I can't go....

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  • holly123
    holly123 Member Posts: 19
    edited July 2009

    Hello ladies.  I was diagnosed last year with LCIS/ADH and also the same year had a right oopherectomy with the tube due to large complex cyst.  I am facing another one on my left ovary again and will have a complete hysterectomy with another oopherectomy in September.  I am only 42 and am on Tamoxifen with hardly any side effects.  My onc says once the hysterectomy is done, then I can stop taking Tamoxifen and he might put me on something else, as I can not take hormones.  What are some of you ladies doing to take care of the hormonal imbalance and how did you feel afterwords.  I'm scared of all the menopause issues that I will face.  And will it take away any oomph I have now regarding sexual function.  I have read where it sometimes does effect sexual function and it sometimes does not.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.  I hope I am making the right decision.  I know my ovary has to come out.  I have no choice in that.  Thanks, Holly

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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited July 2009

    Holly,

    I take Turmeric and Fishoil Omega 3 as well as Calcium and extra Vit D3.

    The hotflashes are manageble but best of all it really helps with the bone pain and stiffness from Femara.

    I think it is great that your onc is so pro active, total hysterectomy was also my choice to be able to take an AI.

    Best wishes!!!

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  • dreaming
    dreaming Member Posts: 473
    edited July 2009

    Change doc, it is idiotic what he told you.

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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited November 2009

    quick update:

    I went to the gyn, had ultrasound, confirmed possible cyst, had a laparascopy and out came a cyst on a piece of ovarian tissue.

    PET was correct (but onc missed this) and PCP didn't give a f***....changed docs by the way.

    Estrogen went down from 32 to 13, hoping to see it down a bit more, will have another test soon.

    Be your own advocate...it is like pulling teeth!!!!

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited November 2009

    You are one smart woman!  Yes, we MUST be our own advocate. 

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited November 2009

    I had a total hysterectomy years ago.  My doc insists on PAP exams and tests.  Your cervix may have been left intact, which can also become cancerous. 

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