Ovaries and Hormones

[susanne]

Does any one know of ovary removal as a means of hormonal control of er+ breast cancer (pr-, H2neu+)? I hear that it is at least 100 year old treatment, before the advent of hormonal drugs. I am a bit over 50, but with a chemically induced "menopause", which is not complete, but fluctuates (estrogen levels) from time to time. I have noticed that before recurrance, I had estrogen symptoms., though no periods. I am thinking of having such a surgury.

[lu ann]

Mymom had that done 33 years ago instead of chemo, I'm not sure how well it worked as she had colon cancer then a metastasis to spine that could have been from either primary. She died so I can't ask her.

[michele u]

I took my ovaries when i had my axillary discestion.. I didn't know if i was hormone pos or not. I took them mainly because i had a ugly spot on the ovary(not cancerous) and i just wanted them out so nothing new could grow there or spread there from the breast cancer

[Sandy]

I am hearing that if one is Er positive yes, they are taking the ovaries out or taking the drugs to shut them down. I have a friend who is waiting to hear the results of a test and then will know if she has to have them out. She is 67 years old! I believe it depends on your age. Mine were all ready gone when I got the cancer and I am ER/PR neg. I hope this helps. Hugs, Sandy

[nancy]

I believe once you have reached Post-menopausal status, your ovaries produce little to no estrogen. However, estrogen is produced in other parts of the body. In the "olden days" MD's removed the adrenal glands of post-menopausal women to prevent some of this excess hormone production. Today,aromatase inhibitors seem to be more effective in stopping the production of estrogen.If you are close to or in menopause, I can't see the necessity of having your ovaries removed...unless you have other concerns relating to their being there. I'm 52, and recently had a LAVH/BOS because of a number of problems...but not because of estrogen. I'm taking Femara which seems to work well with ER+ HER+ BC. Hope this helps. LOL Nancy