Tamoxifin, Endometrial biopsy & Uterine Cancer

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  • Loral
    Loral Member Posts: 932
    edited June 2016

    My D&C and Hysteroscopy was outpatient with anesthesia done at a hospital, time at hospital 3 hours, total surgery time 17 minutes...No pain I was a sleep, light cramping afterwords....Cost over $12,000....at least the findings were benign.

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited June 2016

    live4them... I had cervical stenosis on my first biopsy. He had to cut an opening to get in. I go for another biopsy on the 18th. If this one is benign, the dr says they won't worry about the thickening unless I have spotting. That is the protocol if you read the literature.

  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2016

    I had the endometrial biopsy today. Nice doc. Warm, not condescending. Had to biopsy twice, unable to get a good sample. She says this usually means that there isn't cancer, but because of the endometrial thickening, even a clear result is likely to mean I still need to have a D&C (though not in an urgent way). It was somewhat painful, then crampy in a food poisoning/innards twisting way, then felt like something stepping on me--an alien animal whose feet sank into my abdomen. It wasn't the worst thing I've experienced--that was the infusion center nurse who kept ineffectively digging in my arm for a vein while I sobbed. This (with 800 mg Ibuprofen and 1 mg Lorazepam) was better than that. I'll get called with results maybe next week. I am off to curl up with a cup of tea.image

  • Artista928
    Artista928 Member Posts: 2,753
    edited July 2016

    What is D & C?

  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2016

    Dilation and curettage, a more invasive procedure. I got the call today that my biopsy was negative for endometrial disease, and the sample was sufficient--no D&C needed.

  • Lulubelle1
    Lulubelle1 Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2016

    I was on Tamoxifen for about 17 months. Noticed a change in my discharge and some pink discharge in the toilet. To make a long story short, ended up with endometrial cancer. It does happen. Make sure you get any changes checked out. An Endometrial biopsy isn't fun but it did find my cancer. My linning had thickened to 12 mm. Recovering from my hysterectomy and trying to decide if I should switch to an AI or go back to tamoxifen.

  • Loral
    Loral Member Posts: 932
    edited August 2016

    Lulubelle: Glad they found it and you are OK...thanks for letting us know!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2016

    Lulubelle I'm glad you followed up and and nipped it in the bud. Praying for your quick recovery.

    I had an endometrial biopsy yesterday. Just as painful as I remember it from many years ago. All I had was really light spotting for a couple of days that never happened again, but that was enough for my oncologist to refer me to my gyn. My gyn said that everything looked normal and the lining was thin when she examined me. She said she's never seen someone get endometrial cancer from Tamoxifen, and she was the head of Ob/Gyn for a while. I'm not worried at all, she put my mind at ease. I should have results by the end of the week.

  • DoubleWhammy
    DoubleWhammy Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2016

    I grew my endometrial cancer all on my own.  I was diagnosed with both breast and endometrial cancers - 4 days apart!  Hence, my screen name, Double Whammy.  This was in 2010.  Just want to comment about endometrial biopsies as over the years (prior to ANY cancer) I have had a total of 5.  When I was having the first bout of menopausal bleeding, the gynecologist advised me to take Ibuprofen (800 mg) prior to my appointment.  I was scared to death because the previous biopsies (done for other reasons back in the dark ages even before I had any children) had hurt like you know what.  I was pleasantly surprised that while not pain free, that 3rd biopsy was tolerable.  The 4th procedure was with another gynecologist for the same reason and I was not advised to do anything.  But I took the Ibuprofen again prior to the appointment  because I'm a huge chicken when it comes to pain.  Again it was quite tolerable and the gynecologist commented about how well I did.  The last one (the one that finally showed I had cancer) I again took Ibuprofen and again, it was quite tolerable.  And this third gynecologist was really impressed that I did so well.  I told her I had taken Ibuprofen and she just sort of scratched her head.  Really?  The biopsy results showed I had cancer and I was referred to a gynecologic oncologist for treatment.  He did a robotic assisted laporoscopic hysterectomy.  I asked about that vs. open procudure.  In his experience, he had done over 400 of them and had only had to resort to open procedure (which is a possibility due to access issues when fishing for lymph nodes or other potential tumors) 2 times.  Most of my "girlfriends" (I'm in my 60's) had had hysterectomies for various reasons over the years and were absolutely amazed at how quickly I recovered.  I did not need any pain meds once I got home (Day 2).  So - for me, both the biopsy AND the hysterectomy (including removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes and 17 lymph nodes) was rather uneventful - except for the scarey stuff of having cancer in the first place.   I hope my experience will lend some peace of mind to those of you facing this.  I'm very pleased to read that there is a new medication given, but if you can tolerate Ibuprofen, there is no reason not to take it "just in case" if you're caught off guard.  I also think the skill of the person doing the biopsy plays a role, my first 2 were done in the dark ages by general practitioners probably using a crowbar. 

  • k197gra
    k197gra Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2016

    I was on Tamoxifen for about 25 months. Like Lulubelle I too notice some pink discharge in the toilet. After a lot of checks, I was diagnosed endometrial cancers a week ago. I am premenopausal. I still have my period but it's irregular. I had my endometrial lining checked regularly and never over 1cm. My doctor said it would be OK under 1cm. But I got the cancer!!! Tamoxifen induced endometrial cancer does happen.

    I had MRI yesterday to check endometrial cancer stage, should wait till Moday for the result,so scared.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2016

    K197gra I'm sorry you have to go through this all over again but I hope it is small and easily removed so you never have to worry about cancer again.

    My doctor called with my results last night and it's benign. What a relief. 'Weakly proliferative endometrium' was the official result.

    Having said that, the moment my bone scan no longer shows osteoporosis I'm going to ask to switch to an AI.

    Best wishes to all!

  • 70charger
    70charger Member Posts: 963
    edited January 2017

    Anyone on this thread know if your uterus goes back to normal on its own after thickening on Tamoxifen? Thanks

  • Carla-Faith
    Carla-Faith Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2018

    Did your surgery come out ok?


  • ginabf
    ginabf Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2018

    Hi all - I am a 8 year, Stage III, survivor on Tamoxifen for close to the same. Tried the AI couldn't deal with the bone pain. I have been spotting/light bleeding now for a few months. The GYN is suggesting an untrasound and biopsy. I too, like everyone else am tired of being biopsied! Do they need to biopsy you before a full hysterectomy? I am ready to loose the girl parts. I still have my breasts and in hindsight wish I would have gone for a double mastectomy too. Too many tests!

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2018

    When my gyn suggested yet another biopsy I asked for a hyster instead. She agreed completely. I should have done it long ago.

  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited March 2018

    I finished with Tamoxifen in 2013, after 2 1/2 years, and then switched to an AI for the same length of time. Two years ago, I had some light vaginal bleeding, and my OBGYN did a uterine biopsy, which was negative. The same thing happened last year, spotting, biopsy, negative results. I asked him about the possibility of a hysterectomy, since I am in my late fifties, and I certainly don't need a uterus anymore, but he felt that the risk of surgery didn't outweigh the benefits. So, here we are a year later, and once again, I am having some light bleeding. I don't even want to go to the doctor, since it doesn't seem to be anything to be concerned about. I'm starting to think that it is something environmental, since it seems to happen around the same time every year. I'm tired of biopsies that show nothing, I've decided to take a break and take my chances.

  • ChgoDeb
    ChgoDeb Member Posts: 31
    edited December 2018

    I’ve wondered the same thing! Mine went from 5 to 19 while on tamoxifen. Ugh

  • Celand
    Celand Member Posts: 264
    edited December 2018

    I have had 2 endometrial biopsies, the first one was not too bad, my doctor had me take two Advil prior to my appointment. It was over with quickly and I bled lightly after the procedure was over, results were benign. The second biopsy was also benign, however, I bled very heavily for over a week after the procedure. I ended up having a DNC last February due to uterine polyps, which was also benign. My doctor told me that biopsies are good for one year, so not to panic if I have post menopausal bleeding but to notify her if this occurs and we will definitely investigate. I have been taking Tamoxifen for almost two years, I do worry about the possibility of uterine cancer and if I keep having problems will probably elect to have a hysterectomy, my doctor told me that she would perform the surgery when ever I am ready, unless cancer is found, then immediately. It is good to read that endometrial cancer is rare, but I do wonder if this is true for the post menopausal woman.

  • JeniferE
    JeniferE Member Posts: 130
    edited March 2019

    I changed from arimidex to tamoxifen a year and a half ago at the suggestion of my new oncologist. Last week I started spotting, to the point that I began using one of those pantiliners. Contacted my onc and she said she'd get a referral for an ultrasound and set me up with a gynecologist as I do not have one. I know these arrangements take time, but I am anxious. My momma survived BC, took tamoxifen for 5 years and had spotting that whole time, and beyond. Her gym said there was no cancer after examination and I think one biopsy. Finally found invasive uterine cancer that killed her within three months of finally being diagnosed. Mom was diagnosed with bcc when she was 10 years older than me (diagnosed at 57.) She had other issues that fortunately I do not have that contribute to cancer. Still, I am 61 and concerned. Chances are I will have a biopsy, but I am open to a hysterectomy to avoid the fears of a repeat of mom's horrible experience.

    Arimidex destroyed my bones, and tamoxifen is supposed to help them, but (sigh) I do not want another cancer diagnosis if I can avoid it.

    Thanks for letting me vent. Typing this really helps me organize my thoughts

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2019

    Thehysterectomy was the best surgery I ever had. I should have done it years earlier.

  • sm627
    sm627 Member Posts: 298
    edited September 2019

    Hi Ladies,

    I've been reading your stories thank you so much for sharing them. I have learned so much.

    I'm having my endometrial biopsy on Tuesday. My GYN has given me Misoprostol I was wondering what your experience was like taking it with tamoxifen are side effects worse?

    Thank you for taking the time to read this.

    Hugs,

    Sara

  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited September 2019

    An update..

    I don't often log on to this site anymore, it's been a long time since diagnosis and treatment, and I had forgotten that this thread was one of my Favorite topics. But, I had some free time and decided to have a look, and lo and behold, there was a new post on this thread. So, I thought that I would share a little of what happened since my last post. The gyno who was treating me retired, and since I was having "periods" again, I asked to see his replacement, who happens to be a younger woman, very personable and capable, I trusted her from the first time I saw her. When we spoke during my appointment, and she read my files, she was shocked that the other doctor didn't take it more seriously. So, she suggested a D&C, and when she performed the procedure, it turned out that there was a very large uterine polyp, which she removed. It's been almost 18 months, and I haven't had any bleeding or spotting since. Obviously that was the issue. I was frustrated that the first gyno wasn't more proactive, but I'm glad that the situation has been dealt with. I just wanted to write this to let people know that it's not always the worst case scenario.

    Take care everyone!

  • cassiecanada
    cassiecanada Member Posts: 166
    edited September 2019

    what a relief! just curious- are you post menopausa

  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited October 2019
    • Hi cassiecanada, I am postmenopausal and had my D&C last month. My GYN was concerned my lining was too thick and the biopsy in the office didn't give her enough tissue. I did have a large fibroid blocking the way. This fibroid I probably had for years and the Tamoxifen started to feed it some estrogen. When I had the D&C they found my lining was within normal limits and that the fibroid was causing the ultrasound to give a false reading. They were able to remove the fibroid. The radiologist called it a polyp, but my Gyn said it was a fibroid and that radiology always use that term. The biopsy were negative!! My Gyn and Oncologist said they would only be concerned if I started having symptoms of bleeding/spotting because Tamoxifen is known to thicken the lining. My other question was concerning ovarian cancer. They felt I wasn't at risk because I didn't have any family history. There is always something to be worried about........
  • dutchgirl6
    dutchgirl6 Member Posts: 673
    edited October 2019

    Cassiecanada, I am post menopausal. I was pre before treatment, but chemo pushed me into menopause. I was 50 at the time, I'm sure that I would have gone naturally within a few years.

    Just as an addendum, the biopsy results from the polyp were negative.

    Cheers!

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