Breast Cancer Surgery, then hysterectomy??? WHAT?

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Browneyes18
Browneyes18 Member Posts: 5
edited July 2015 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi there, On March 30, 2015 I was diagnosed with Intraductal Carcinoma in situ. After having a mammo, ultrasound, then finally a ductogram (nipple leakage). After biopsy surgery (which my breast surgeon said was more like a lumpectomy because she removed a lot of tissue) they said it was stage 0 but would still need to have a mastectomy. I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy with implant reconstruction. I wasn't going to go through this again if it happened on the left side. My oncologist assured me I was making the right decision. All my doctors and surgeons were in agreement with my choice. After my surgery and the removal of 2 lymph nodes which were both clear, the pathology report came back stating I had Stage 1 Grade 2. They found a small bit of invasive cancer by the time i had my major surgery on May 21, 2015. It's been 6 weeks and I see my oncologist again tomorrow and my breast surgeon on Wednesday. My plastic surgeon just started pumping me up on Friday with 50cc's on each side. We will be meeting every 2 weeks now until I'm pumped up to the size I want, then another surgery in the Fall to remove the expanders and insert the implants. I'm so excited to get to that point because I don't sleep well at all. It's not very comfortable and can hardly sleep on my sides at all.

Anyway, when I went to see my oncologist after my surgery we talked about the cancer and my treatment. He said I could give you chemo if you want it, But we went with taking Arimidex for 5 yrs. Here's the kicker.....he said "I want you to seriously consider having a hysterectomy because you are high risk for uterine cancer. It would be best to have it done". He was very serious about it. My cancer is female hormone related. There is no history of breast cancer in my family. I was devastated with my cancer diagnosis. I felt like I came out of my body and was floating around the room. I could not believe how this could happen to me. But it did and here I am dealing with it the best way I know how. Have any of you been told you need to have a hysterectomy after breast cancer???? Please advise. thank you.

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  • ABeautifulSunset
    ABeautifulSunset Member Posts: 990
    edited July 2015

    I am not an expert, but it seems to me that a hysterectomy for stage 1 breast cancer is overkill. Also, its really the ovaries that they remove because that's what secretes the hormones, which feed the cancer if you are hormone positive. Still, with stage one I don't think any of that is necessary. DEFINITELY, get a second opinion.


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 2015

    Hi Browneyes18. Welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry that you have to be here, but we're glad you found this warm and caring community. Other members here have tons of experiences and information to share, and we hope that will help you make the best decision.

    If you decide to go for a second opinion here is a link to our main site that you may find interesting: Getting a Second Opinion

    Hope this helps!

    The Mods

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

    Did your doc say specifically why you are at risk for uterine cancer? Is it the results of a genetic test? Uterine cancer is not that common. Are you brca positive? That would prob mean ovary removal at some point. I agree that you should seek a second opinion

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    Yes, with the information you've given, that seems excessive.

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited July 2015

    Wow! What a strange way to correlate BC to uterine cancer. Not likely that this would be the case. I agree...get a second opinion for sure. Also, he asked you if you wanted chemo? He didn't do a test to determine if you needed it or not? Usually they do an oncotype score to determine whether your BC could benefit from chemo or not necessary. I would run the other way from that doctor...just sayin...

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  • Browneyes18
    Browneyes18 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2015

    Thank you for all your input. Let me explain more........

    I just saw my Oncologist again a couple days ago. He is very serious about me having a hysterectomy after I'm all healed from the breast cancer (probably after the new year). He said we must remove your ovaries and your uterus just happens to be in the way so they will take it all. I'm post menopause so who needs it? I'm 56 years old, single with no children. I lost my period back in 2005 when I got thyroid disease. It sent me into early menopause. My breast cancer is female hormone related and I always had hormonal problems since i was a kid. I'm really looking forward to the implant surgery in the fall. They just started filling my expanders and they are so hot and uncomfortable. The Arimidex meds I have to take every day for 5 years make me sweat terribly. Needless to say I am always HOT. LOL

    I saw my breast surgeon again yesterday for a followup as well. She wants to consult with my oncologist just to ask him his reasoning for the surgery because she feels I'm on the Arimidex for 5 years and that's supposed to keep the cancer from coming back. She's not going against him, she just wants to understand his reasons. I don't see my breast surgeon and oncologist again until January. Now I just see my plastic surgeon every 2 weeks for fill ups to the expanders until they're ready to be removed for the implant surgery in the Fall. Also, I may have made a mistake.....i thinks its ovarian cancer not uterine cancer (since he said "your uterus just happens to be in the way"). My oncologist is the top man in his field in my county (I've been told by other professionals). My breast surgeon is the head of the dept at my hospital, and my plastic surgeon is also top guy with excellent grades. I feel blessed to have them all. They really do take good care of me.

    Can anyone tell me what to do about this arimidex?? How do i deal with this HEAT? Is there anything I can take? please share if you know. It's so embarrassing to sweat all the time.

    I really appreciate all your responses. It's nice to know I have people to share with.......my peers.

    Have a great day


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  • Browneyes18
    Browneyes18 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2015

    Thank you. that's great information. I still have plenty of time to think about that surgery. I will definitely question why can't we just remove my ovaries.....when the time comes. I've been through major surgery and I really need to heal from all this and accept it. I'm really not ready physically or mentally for more major surgery. Whew.....I need a break.

    Thank you again for this information. Very helpful :)

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