I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in situ in Japan a few months ago. I was finally able to get a treatment date, 9/21, and the doctor gave me the option of something called photodynamic therapy. Rather than doing a conization, he said that this new therapy helps to conserve fertility for those who are young and want kids in the future (I'm 24 and definitely hope to have kids one day). I'm nervous because this is still a fairly new treatment, and I am in a foreign country as well. I was wondering if any of you have been treated with photodynamic therapy or even heard about it? I am interested to know about other's experiences with this procedure since I cannot find much information about it, and my communication with the doctor is a bit limited due to the language barrier.
Also, my doctor said that my cell type is a bit more rare (adenocarcinoma vs squamous). Does that make it more difficult to treat? Also, is the recurrence rate high for cervical cancer? My doctor did not seem to be very concerned about lymph node involvment. I showed him a CT scan i took a couple of months prior to getting diagnosed, but he said with early stages of cervical cancer, it is highly unlikly it has reached the lymph. Is that what everyone else has experienced? I can't help but feel nervous and google everything and anytime i feel any ache or pain, I get scared that its because of the cancer. I know that it most likely isn't true, but I can't help my brain from wandering! I've also been losing weight, but maybe that is due to the stress and fear of getting this diagnosis.
I hope everyone else is doing well with their treatment. I support all of you from Japan! Lets beat this !
I apologize for all of the questions and thank you for your time and help!!
We have plenty in common :-) Adenocarcinoma, foriegn country, language barrier. If I remember correctly your mum was going to come out and help with the language problems?
Anyway, to help answer your questions as best I can; yes, if it's early stages it's unlikely to have reached the lymph system but they do need to check this out. I don't think that adenocarcinoma is any more difficult to treat though it is that bit more difficult to find in the first place. Having found it, you're no worse off than anyone else. It's very treatable and without lymph involvement chances of no recurrence are pretty good. Try not to Google stuff because that's a scary thing to do. Self-diagnosis is not a wise move. The best advice I can give you is to trust your doctors, they wouldn't be where they are today if they didn't know a thing or two and Japan is not regarded as a third world country in anybody's book!
Thank you as always for your kind reply! Yes, I remember that we both have a lot in common! My mom won't be here during the time of the surgery, but she thankfully will be here in a few days for about a week! I showed him a CT scan that was taken recently due to another issue, and I believe he looked at it so hopefully that is why he does not seem too concerned? I will definitely ask him the next time I see him.
Have you heard about photodynamic therapy? Apparently they will inject me with a drug two days before the surgery, that will make my skin extremely photosensitive, and then attempt to kill the cancer cells with a laser. I'll have to be hospitalized for 3 weeks after that, to monitor my condition, and also because I will not be able to handle any light, including room lighting. I also wont even be able to use my phone or computer because the light will be too strong for me, so I will be kept in a dark room for 3 weeks. After I return home, I will not be able to go outside during the day for the next two months after that.
Because this therapy is still relatively new, its hard for me to find any information about it online. Have you heard anything about it? I know each country has different procedures, but I wasn't sure if someone else was getting the same treatment as me as well!
Thank you as always for your time! How have you been? I hope you are doing well!
I'm doing just fine thanks :-) Health-wise at least ;-) This summer's work has had its exciting moments!
I have to confess I have never heard of photodynamic therapy, it sounds very new and exciting! Not so sure I would be able to cope with such a long and dark confinement. It doesn't sound as though you will be in a position to read a book or watch movies, have they given you any information about what you will be able to do? I guess you could listen to music, talking books or the radio? Maybe you could also learn some blind skills? I'm not very good at relaxing and have to be doing something so if I were in your situation I would be asking about every single thing it would be possible for me to do in the dark for three weeks and then indoors for another two months.
I've just begun Googling it and it looks really exciting! :-)
And having Googled it, it sounds great! Really exciting! I'd start learning finger-crochet right now so you can do it in the dark by the time you start your treatment. You'll have gifts for the whole family ready by Christmas :-D
