For those of us with Cervical Cancer (?) - Cancer: Cervical & Ovarian Message Board

Hopefull_2 · 08-21-2006, 12:55 PM

My first appt. with the oncologist is this Friday. My gynecologist has recommended a cone for me since they don't know the extent of my Adencarcinoma. My question is for those of you who also were diagnosed with cervical cancer. I get scared b/c I read stories about other women who had the cancer spread to their ovaries and liver etc. How did your oncologist rule all that out? Are there antibody tests from blood that can be done, also does imaging work? If so which ones did you have? Just trying to be educated about this before Friday. I think this is the hardest part for me the fear that it may have spread; this is what keeps me awake at night. Thanks everyone for all your support so far!

Timber · 08-21-2006, 02:49 PM

Part of the reason a cone biopsy is recommended is that it is both a treatment AND a diagnostic tool. They can look at the piece of your cervix that they removed to see if the cancer has spread deeply enough that it might have invaded other parts of your body.

However, this isn't a likely possibility because if you have had a colpo they can usually tell if it's invasive.

Hopefull_2 · 08-21-2006, 02:55 PM

Thanks Timber for getting back about my question!

So what you are saying is based on the cone they'll decide if they should look further? Is that standard? Did they look further for you? I just want them to as a precaution, b/c I read about this other women who had no symptoms and it had spread to ovary and liver. So the colpo will tell if its invasive also? I didn't think they could tell much from that exept the type. thanks again!

Charliesgirl · 08-21-2006, 09:10 PM

After I had the colp. and the LEEP, I had an MRI and a lung x-ray to see exactly how far it had spread. It's amazing how they can pinpoint it. Luckily mine just spread outside the cervix. Good luck to you.

bjguthrie · 08-21-2006, 09:54 PM

I was diagnosed with cervical dysplasia and my gynocologist treated me with a laser and had me come back to 2 weeks for another laser treatment. Then after an interval, I went back to be informed that the problem was worse -- more laser -- worsening condition -- more laser -- and finally my doctor wanted to do a hysterectomy, for which my insurance co wouldn't pay. A cone procedure was performed and, weeks down the road in follow-up the problem was worse - cervical cancer. Again, my insurance company refused to pay for a hysterectomy (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) only a cone procedure again. It wasn't until my doctor personally threatened to sue them that they agreed to pay for a complete hysterectomy. That was in 1999 and I am okay, (Idon't miss the extra body parts) although I see the doctor all the time for other problems not related to the cervical cancer.

I know it is a very scary thing. Believe that God will be with you. Also, use your experience to encourage all women to have regular physical exams, including a pap smear.