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What Are The Chances Of Developing Endometrial Cancer After Complete Hysterectomy?

Posted on Tue, 11 Aug 2015

Question: 16 years ago I had a complete hysterectomy. During the surgery, widespread endometriosis was found. I was placed on HRT (including progesterone b/c of the endometriosis), and did very well. Last year, at age 66 I was still taking hormones, but cutting the dosages way down, when I was diagnosed with a DCIS. Following the lumpectomy and radiation, I've been on Tamoxifen but want to stop because it is damaging my eyes and causing some severe joint issues in my hands. Now I'm wondering about endometrial cancer from the HRT. I realize it is very rare for someone with endometriosis (without uterus or ovaries), to get endometrial cancer. But I'd like to know what the symptoms would be. What should I be looking for?

Answered by Dr. Soumya (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You have no chance of endometrial cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for your query.

I have read you query and I understand your concerns about possibility of endometrial cancer..

Following is my reply:

1) You have undergone hysterectomy long back. This means you have no uterus or endometrium.

2) In your case there is absolutely no chances of developing endometrial cancer. You dont need to worry about this possibility.

3) You dont have to think about endometrial cancer anymore.

I hope I answered you query and addressed your concerns.

Let me know if you wish to ask any further questions. I will be glad to help you.

Regards,
Dr. Soumya

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (21 minutes later)

Actually people with endometriosis who have had HRT following a hysterectomy can develop endometrial cancer, although it is very rare. I have seen a case study, but it didn't mention the symptoms. I don't suspect that I have endometrial cancer. My question is what would the symptoms be. Since there is no uterus. could bleeding still be a symptom? You have not answered the question. What would the symptoms be?

Answered by Dr. Soumya (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There are no symptoms to identify cancer in endometriosis tissue

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand that the endometrial tissue is present in the endometriosis and there is a rare possibility of this tissue undergoing canerous changes as in endometrium of the uterus.

After hysterectomy, there are no symptoms like bleeding as there is no uterus. Even if there is cancer changes in the endometrial tissue in endometriosis, there will be no symptoms like bleeding or pain abdomen as it will be possibly a slow development at an isolated spot of few millimeters.

To answer your specific query again to clarify, there are no symptoms that can alarm possibility of endometrial cancer in endometriosis tissue.

Let me know if you need anymore help.

Regards,]
Dr. Soumya

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar