Advised to undergo chemotherapy before surgical operation for endometrial cancer. Is it the right process?
Patient: hi im cheerymeel from philippines, i just want to ask questions regarding with the condition of my mother who is diagnosed with endometrial cancer probably stage 2, our doctor told us to undergo my mom with chemotherapy before she proceed a surgical operation. is it right to undergo chemotherapy before she proceed with thw surgical operations? Doctor: i am sorry to say that this is not the right treatment protocol for endometrial cancer. Normally, the first step in the treatment of endometrial cancer is surgery. I this we remove the uterus, both tubes, both ovaries, bilateral pelvic nodes and take a number of samples from various parts of the abdomen. We also take washings from the abdomen surface and send it for cytology testing. This is called a staging laparotomy as this not only is part of the treatment, it also gives the exact stage of the cancer. Depending on the final stage that comes after surgery, she may require postoperative radiotherapy. There is nor role of chemotherapy in endometrial cancer except in the last stage for palliation. You can visit nccn.org and see for yourself. I suggest you change your oncologist.