Take put ovaries and Fallopian tubes?

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rleepac
rleepac Member Posts: 755

My genetic testing came back negative for 25 different genes but I still have a. family history of ovarian cancer so I'm wondering if I should just go for it?

I'm 43 and peri-menopausal anyway. I have one 13-yr-old and I am done having babies. I really want to reduce risk and be able to take the AI instead of Tamox because the MO said it got a slightly better outcome.

Any thoughts

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2015

    I'm having it done in April along with a D&C due to endometrial issue probably due to Tamoxifen. I have no known history of ovarian cancer but very early onset BC in the fam. I'm much older tho - 54.

  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    I've read the potential side effects of Tamox on the uterus and that makes me nervous too...would kinda like to do a complete hysterectomy if the insurance will cover it.

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2015

    rleepac - the ooph will allow you to take aromatase inhibitor drugs which don't have uterine wall side effects, although leaving the uterus may carry risk of uterine CA, it avoids the potential problems removing it can cause, such as prolapse.  It is a hard decision - I had a total abdominal hyst/ooph 9 years prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer - but it was due to ovarian cysts and numerous uterine fibroids - they incidentally also found a 3cm pre-malignant ovarian tumor unseen by any imaging, so I was happy to have that out and be free of the issues the fibroids were causing.  If you do either an ooph or total hyst be sure to get a baseline bone density scan and cholesterol readings prior - both can be affected by removing the ovaries and compounded by AI drugs.

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2015

    Special K - OMG 3 cm pre-malignant tumor. Holy smokes!

    rleepac - My initial inclination was to take it all out as well. However at the urging of a wise woman on these boards i did a little bit more investigation. Uterine cancer is quite rare and apparently unlike ovarian cancer there are many more symptoms that present. I have heard the term silent killer in regards to ovarian cancer. My brother is a gyn onc and said if the uterus is proven benign with a D&C there is no reason to remove it. He sees all the BC ladies who are on tamoxifen at his practice that have symtoms like mine - thickening, continuous bleeding, polyps. I am perimenopausal so I think I might be having these issues anyway, but since they have to put me out for the D&C I might as well get the ovaries out. I am by far the oldest woman in four generations down my grandfather's line, all the rest passed from BC in their 20's, 30's, and 40's. DB said he would have taken my ovaries out long ago. You might have a discussion with your gyn about just removing the tubes for now if you don't want instant menopause. There has been some research of late that indicates ovarian cancer may start in the tubes, although generally I've seen tube removal only in a younger folks. My DIL's mom is Brca1 pos and we were so worried about DIL being the same (she is not WOO HOO) but DB said they could do tubes only til 35 - 40. I think the average age of onset of ovarian cancer is around 50.

    Also, I am going the route I am because it is a day surgery, no long recovery, and I was worried about side effects like incontinence.

    Best wishes for whatever you decide!!

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2015

    farmerlucy - I know, right?  Everyone was quite surprised as it did not show up on the pelvic US I had done six months prior to surgery.  It either was not seen (I don't image well - mammo did not see my 2cm breast palpable breast lump either - US saw it five minutes later, MRI missed my 6mm positive node), or grew to that size in six months - either way - not good! I literally had uterine fibroids "too numerous to count" according to the path report - I looked like I was five or six months pregnant.  I actually went to the doc as I had enough of the ovarian cancer symptoms to be concerned.  I was relieved to have everything out, but I still ended up with BC nine years later. 

  • momten
    momten Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2015

    I had ovaries and tubes out about a month ago. The surgery wasn't too bad. My biggest concern was whether I would get severe menopausal symptoms. My OB/GYN did blood work which showed very high FSH and very low estradiol so he felt sure that I was in chemopause if not true menopause. I had a terrible time deciding what to do but I am glad I decided to have the surgery. I was very uncomfortable with the idea of the Lupron injections. Now the estrogen source is gone and I can go on an AI or tamoxifen. Good luck with your decision.



  • Sherriebrundage
    Sherriebrundage Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2015

    Hi everyone so I just had a internal U.S and they found several cysts on my left ovary the biggest one being 3.2cm big, my right one has several as well largest one being 2.7 cm big. My uterus wall is very every thick he said 1.7 cm thick not normal at all !!! It all started with me getting my period again and bleeding really bad that they had to put me on pills to control the bleeding . Now I go see the Gyno on Thursday to see what they will do . I'm a little scared ok I'm a lot scared that it could be cancer !!! I'm only 42 years old cancer runs thick in my family, I just spent a year going through breast cancer have just finished all my treatments in March !! It seem like every time I turn around now there is something wrong with me !! I got lymphedema, my joints are so messed up that in my hand I can hardly pick stuff up feels like bones are out of joint !! Now this with my female parts my poor husband is so scared and well I am to !! I just want to get back to my life before cancer !!!! Oh and my toe nails turned black and the list just go's on and on !!! Would love to hear if someone is going through the same thing !!! Thanks

  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited June 2015

    Sherrie, I'm so sorry to hear about this. Yes, sometimes it feels like these issues never end. FWIW, there are many types of benign cysts, so that might be what you have. (that's what I had. The docs kept saying it "probably wasn't cancer"--thanks--but it didn't look like any of the known benign cysts either. arg. When I had it removed, along with the ovary and both tubes, turned out that two funky things were going on). Anyway....I hear you on the scariness of this and you're smart to consider your family history. It does make a difference. Good luck with your appt with the gyno and if you want, get a second opinion, perhaps from a gyno-oncologist. I'll send you good thoughts. (((hugs)))

  • Sherriebrundage
    Sherriebrundage Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2015

    Thank you Peggy j !!!

  • Jesika63
    Jesika63 Member Posts: 78
    edited June 2015

    How everyone- just saw this post and decided to share my experience. I am a bit older than most in this post. (63). Never had pelvic problems until a few years ago i got polyps in my uterus. Which where taken out and i had a D&C. (this is all after menopause) . Two years later my sister got Ovarian ca and stomach ca- 2 primaries. After my sister passed about 8 months ago, it was time for my mamo. I had my mano done and of course i am here so that means i was dignosed with ca. During my tremtments i decided to see the Gyn. This time i had like 3 polyps (polyps in uterus are usually pre-ca, and a huge fibroid. I thought none of this could happen at this age. Either way my regular gyn wanted me to see a gyn oncologist. The fibroid and polyps had to come out no matter what. My ononglist told me he could remove the polyps but polyps could return and would have to remove them again. Gee after 63 years i guess i collected a lot of junk in my uterus. The uterus was enlarged. So i just decided to go for a total hys, and avoid any ca in that area. Yes can be a prolapse like anyother surgery. Anything can happen. This is also one of those decisions we have to make on whats best for us. I am now 4 weeks post-op and feel great. Just the recurrance of Ca. still in my mind. Hugs to all of you. Also had a 4 C>M> cyst in rt ov.


  • vettegirl
    vettegirl Member Posts: 235
    edited June 2015


    I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes out on Dec 5-at the request of my MO.  My aunt died of ovarian cancer so it runs in my family.  I also had some benign cysts removed before and we were constantly doing sonograms to monitor my ovaries.  Plus my CA125 score had climbed when I was diagnosed with BC.  Ovarian cancer is tough to beat-so to me-I am glad I got them out.  Cervial and Uteres cancer are more rare so I feel okay with keeping those parts-for now anyway.

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