Friday, February 19, 2010 liz asks

Q: Need Alternatives to a Hysterectomy

After 4 years of no periods, I recently started to see little spotting and a clear discharge. An ultrasound discovered a tennis ball size fibroid in my uterus. During my D&C, the fibroid blocked access to uterine tissue behind the fibroid. Therefore, the D & C could not report whether the lining was healthy. Two obgyn's recommend that I consider a hysterectomy. They offered no other treatment and said there were no tests to detect cancer cells. Is there nothing I can pursue before this major surgery? Can the fibroid be reduced so the back of the uterus be reached? Any idea what is causing the discharge?

Thanks!

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Answers (2)

Dorian Martin, Health Guide

2/23/10 5:25pm

Hi, Liz,

First of all, I'm not a medical doctor so I'm going to answer your question as if I were experiencing the same situation. If I were in your shoes, I'd check with one more doctor (perhaps with a university-affiliated hospital) to see what he/she recommends. If that third doctor comes back with a similar recommendation as the two earlier doctors, then I'd go with the group's recommendation. If the third doctor gives a different opinion, I'd have additional data to use in making a decision.

Take care and keep us posted!

Dorian

Sandy Greenquist, Health Pro

2/23/10 5:28pm

Hi Liz, It sounds like you are between a rock and a hard place unfortunately. I'm guessing the fibroid must be growing if it was just discovered. One that size would easily be felt on exam. If this is the case, it is likely that it will get larger and just cause additional problems. It is also significant that you are having bleeding and discharge that can't be fully evaluated.

Were the 2 docs who recommended a hyst in the same practice? I am a big believer in 2nd opinions from independent specialists and that is what I would recommend to you before making this surgery decision. If you live near a University that's always a good place to go for specialty care.

I don't think you can make peace with your decision until you have all the information that is possible to get. Unless your issues can be fully evaluated I would have to agree with the doctors that a hysterectomy is the only way to be sure that what is obscured by the fibroid is not cancer.

My best to you in this difficult situation,

Sandy Greenquist, Menopause Clinician

liz

2/26/10 5:29pm

Thanks to the terrific ladies that responded to my questions. Next week I will be seeing a 3rd obgyn from a university affiliated hospital. The 3 obgyns are from totally different practices. She recommended a hysterosonogram as a final test. If it does not provide more info, then she also stated that a hysterectomy may be my best option. It was a coincidence that Dr. Oz's topic yesterday was 'The #1 Surgery You Don't Need'; it was hysterectomy. On his show he and another doctor stressed the importance of thorough research before such drastic surgery. I'm hoping that the fibroid should be shrinking since I've gone through menopause. At least that's what I've been reading. I would love, if possible, to keep my body in tact. :-) Thanks again for your advice!

Sandy Greenquist, Health Pro

3/ 2/10 6:07pm

Good for you, Liz. Sounds like your persistence is paying off. At least, if you have the surgery, you will know you needed it.

My best to you,

Sandy