Thickened Uterus

Just got a call from my Gyn and I have to get a uterine biopsy on Thursday afternoon due to a thickened uterus. When I got the ultrasound, I was off of Tamoxifen only 3 weeks and just starting Arimidex (I only took Tamoxifen for 6 weeks as I demanded a LH/FSH test to see if I was truly postmenopausal and I was). Il did this because I was 4 months out of chemo and was able to get Herceptin and via research (and this board) I determined that Arimidex and Herceptin were a much better mix.

Now this. My questions are:

1. Can I still get my weekly Herceptin even though I am having a biopsy (I get my Herceptin on Fridays - I don't even want to ask my onco because he is SO conservative and I had to fight for the Herceptin even though I am in a group of women where there are no questions)

2. What should I expect of the biopsy (pain etc) and does Tamoxifen really work that fast on a uterine lining to thicken it enough to warrant a biopsy (I also have a cyst on one ovary and need to redo the ultrasound at the end of the month).

Any opinions would be welcome. Thank you in advance

Becky

[Rozebud]

I don't know, but perhaps. I started tamoxifen in August and had an U/S in December and my lining was borderline thick (4.9mm I think, >5 required a biopsy). I had never had a problem before that. I started zoladex shots a week later and had another U/S 2 months later and everything was normal. Still on tamoxifen (but that's another fight with my onc.) Don't know if that helps or not....

[michele u]

I know a gal that had stage 1 breast cancer, took Tamoxifen and did get uterine cancer. It was stage 1 when they found it and she's ok now. She said the statistics of getting uterine cancer from Tamoxifen is 1 in 1000 so its pretty low.

Becky,
I wasn't in exactly the same position you are in but I did have the uterine biopsy because my lining had also thickened after being in menopause for 16 months. It didn't hurt that bad, a little more than the pelvic exam. I was hurting more from the ovarian cyst than I was from any biopsy.

My FSH and LH levels were also, up and down, in menopause and out of menopause, with you having a cyst even with your numbers up aren't your ovaries still working? How big is your cyst? I am going thru that now, having them checking my ovaries, once a month then it pops and then goes to the other ovary and my numbers are up there also, they tell me I am in perimenopause. Have periods, not any time on a regular basis and I can't take any hormones because of the BC, so we are following it til August and then will probably take them out. The last one was irregular shaped and had junk in it, since then I have been looking up information on types of cysts and will get more accurate info. The worst part for me is the adhesions they have left behind, they seem to be more painful.

You are doing the right thing, first get the biopsy done and then follow the cyst thing through. It's so frustrating. Keep your chin up. K

Thanks to everyone for responding. I get my biopsy tomorrow but just found out that my thickened uterus is 14mm. Pretty thick for sure.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Becky

Dear Becky,
Best to you. I will be thinking of you and sending good thougths your way. K

Hi Becky,

I can tell you that I had my TRAM flap surgery while still on Herceptin. A simple endometrial biopsy should not be a problem.

I also had an FSH test which showed I was menopausal. I made the switch to Arimidex and 2 months later I got my period back. A biopsy was done (I had been on tamoxifen 8 months) which came out fine. I also had ovarian cysts, which I'm told is unusual for memopausal women. I was followed with ultrasounds and decided to finally have my ovaries removed (2 weeks ago). Now there's no question of my menopausal status.

Susan

Susan

I had my biopsy a couple of hours ago. It wasn't that bad. My gyn thinks the same thing that you described happening to you is happening to me. We are going to track the cysts with another ultrasound in 2 weeks. He said that if it has not resolved, he wants to remove my ovaries (which will be fine - I switched to Arimidex just 2 months ago from being on Tamoxifen a couple of months). I am hoping to not get my period back (I am 46 - will be 47 in a couple of months). I will keep the board posted. My gyn thinks my uterus will be benign.

Thanks for responding. (I am getting my weekly Herceptin tomorrow morning on schedule).

Best regards,

Becky