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friend23
New User
Joined: 24 Sep 2009
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject: oophorectomy vs hysterectomy |
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- 33yrs
- Diagnosed two weeks ago
- pre-menopausal
- ductal carcinoma
- ER+, PR+, HER2-
- 4cm, likely 1 node but not biopsied
- hasn't begun treatments yet; will be starting 4 cycles of Taxol and then 4 of A/C, on a 2-week period soon but needs to have either oophorectomy or a hysterectomy first.
My friend was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, has tested positive for the BRCA-2 gene, which is rare and signifies an increased risk for invasive breast and ovarian cancer. Additionally, her doctor has found a 7cm mass on her ovary, which they can't conclusively decide if it's cancer or not.
Right now, she needs to decide between having an oophorectomy or a hysterectomy within the next couple of days.
She has the following questions:
What is difference between the two in terms of their effects, hormonally, or otherwise?
Does the uterus compensate hormonally after oophorectomy?
Are there different, additional side effects to hysterectomy?
The context is prophylactic removal of hormone-producing organs to reduce risk of breast cancer metastasis, or recurrence, or emergence of a second primary breast cancer.
We'd appreciate any feedback! |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 2404
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| Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: oophorectomy vs hysterectomy |
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Hi,
I'm sorry about your friend's cancer diagnosis.
My response will be in the context of ovarian cancer, as your friend tested positive for those markers. I'm sure others will be in to help you with the breast cancer issues related to these procedures.
I had a hysterectomy and one ovary removed at 31. My mom had died from ovarian cancer, so the doc took one ovary that was encapsulated by a cyst. He couldn't justify taking the second ovary at that age -- at that time. (20 years ago) My remaining ovary stopped functioning by the time I was 34, so I hit full blown menopause. I was not tested for my hormone levels until I was 36. They were bad and I've been on replacement therapy ever since. (Which probably won't be happening for your friend if her cancer is estrogen driven.) As far as I'm aware, the ovaries are what controls estrogen production.
A couple of years later, I had the remaining ovary removed during exploratory surgery (un-related.) Figured it was good to get it out, just to be on the safe side. Ovarian cancer wasn't pretty and I wanted to reduce my chances in any way I could.
The upshot is that I hit menopause early anyway, with leaving one ovary. I've found that this isn't all that unusual. (It also can happen to women undergoing chemotherapy treatment.) Some women don't have any problems going through menopause and other's have the hot flashes, etc. If her Mom has gone through menopause, that can be somewhat of an insight of what to expect.
As far as having no more periods due to the uterus being gone? Yipppeeeeee!!!! 
Hope this helps a little bit. Best of luck to your friend.
God bless,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.
Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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Cindy
Senior User
Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 178
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| Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject: Re: oophorectomy vs hysterectomy |
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That is a difficult decision your friend has to make...but if it was me, I'd have the hysterectomy, as long as they are going to be in there, anyway. No more worrying about ovarian OR uterine cancer. The uterus has nothing to do with producing hormones. That is done by the ovaries. The function of the uterus is to carry the baby. No other purpose. It does help support the bladder, though. If she has the uterus removed, she might want to look into having the bladder put into a sling, to keep it supported.
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Where is the cure???
www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org
www.diepbreastreconstruction.org
www.mybreastcancerstore.com
www.habierose.com |
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