Why is my doctor “waiting and seeing” and why won’t she even consider giving me a hysterectomy?

Hello,
A week ago, I was diagnosed with a Fibroid Tumor. It is a VERY large one. So large that if you compared it to the size of my bladder, it is more then half the size of my bladder.
This was discovered after my being in pain for more then 3 years. Not just pain, but constant, harsh, un-relenting pain. I had been to bowel specialists, other specialists, and they would always turn up nothing. So, to me, it stands to reason that the cause of my pain and other health problems, is this fibroid tumor.
When I went back to my doctor yesterday, to discuss what we were going to do about this. Her answer is to “wait and see” To me, this is unacceptable. We should not be leaving a tumor of any size, let alone one THIS size, and just “waiting and seeing.” I had told my doctor, that despite my age (26) and only having one daughter, I am not opposed to a hysterectomy. This is the only clear-cut, PERMENANT solution to a permenant problem.
My husband and I have decided years ago that we did not want anymore children. Let me say this again, we DO NOT want anymore children. This will not change 5 years down the road.
My question to you is, why is my doctor “waiting and seeing” and why won’t she even consider giving me a hysterectomy, when it is very clearly what I want?

Dear Kris-
The wait and see philosophy is not something we advocate for fibroid tumor disease. We have no idea why your doctor does not want to give you a hysterectomy….but you have come to the wrong practice is ask this question. We believe in saving the female uterus not removing it.Obviously your tumors need addressing but if you have made up your mind to have a hysterectomy, I am sure it will not be difficult to locate a doctor willing to do that surgery.

I am a 42 year old woman who had acute anemia due to large, multiple, intramural fibroids. I have never had any children or surgeries. A gynecogolical oncologist says that I would “fare best” if I had a hysterectomy. However, I have heard that that should be a last resort. I have heard about UAE, should I get a second opinion? Thanks.

Dear Ann-
If you have read our website, you know that we do not believe in removing the uterus for benign conditions.
You most definitely need to have your fibroids addressed…..In my opinion you would not be a candidate for UAE…your tumors are too large and too many. You need to have the tumors removed completely.
Based on our experience, you probably have more tumors in your uterus that are being shadowed by the larger ones….these also must be removed to effectively treat your condition.
Our FAS procedure will remove your tumors safely with a laser assisted technique and allow you to keep your uterus. Please research the hysterectomy procedure carefully before agreeing to it(see website for information)….it can be a life changing event and is irreversible.

Hi, I was recently told I had a fibroid tumor in my uterus, my periods have started to change, one was very painful and heavy. My DR. wants to wait and see how things turn out. I am 47 years old. Would a hysterectomy be the best thing for me if my periods start to become a problem. Thanks

Dear Cindy-
We do not recommend a hysterectomy for fibroids. The possibility of post operative complications is too high….many women experience hormone imbalance, depression, sexual dysfunction, and bladder and bowel prolapse…these conditions become difficult to correct. We believe the fibroids should be removed and the uterus preserved. Please do your research before the surgery…many women contact this office after hysterectomy wishing they had another chance to save their uterus. Good Luck.

How does hormone replacement therapy effect fibroids? I was told several years ago that I had fibroids, but The doctor said that they were small and that she would keep an eye on them. Well, I had a bloody discharge, which I told my doctor about immediately because this is not suppose to happen while on HRT. Does the estrogen in the HRT cause the fibroids to grow?

Dear Janet-
Thank you for your inquiry.
HRT most definitely causes fibroids to grow.
This is one of reasons we do NOT recommend the “wait and see” philosophy when treating fibroids. Many women hope upon reaching menopause their fibroids will no longer be a problem, this is often a misconception. Fibroids,which are hormone dependent for growth, will stop growing once the ovaries stop producing hormones; however if a women begins to supplement her reducing hormones with HRT, the fibroids will begin to grow again, hence creating further symptoms.Your symptoms are probably due to your HRT-however I would recommend a check up with your gynecologist.

I have recently been diagnosed with a poylp that is causing sharp pains. I am having clots, and a long cycle. I am scared be cause I am (26) and I can not understand why this is occuring.

Dear Tynesha-
Polyps can create many problems…including the ones you are experiencing. I would get a second opinion and make sure that is your only problem….then get the polyps removed. Many can be easily taken care of with outpatient minor surgery….ask your doctor.

Dear Dr.DelJunco Jr.
I am a 41 year old woman with 3 children and 3 years ago i was diagnosed with fibroid tumors one of wich is the size of softball, and 3 the size of an apple.All of which are located at the outside of the uterus. I have seen several physicians and i have been told to have a HYSTERECTOMY. I am TOTALY against it and very angry that i wa not offered an alternative choice. Luckuly, i stumbled on ur website and i would very much appreciate ur opinion on this matter. This comming week i will have more information on exact location and size of the fibroids. I live in Commack, Long Island and I would like to know if u service New York area as well. Any kind of information will be very helpful.
Thank you
Anxiously waiting,
Nina Georgatos

Dear Nina-
Thank you for your inquiry. I wish you could have attended our recent seminar in Los Angeles last Thursday night…we had a few women in your same situation.
Our FAS program would safely remove your tumors and allow you to keep your uterus, without damage to the organ and without the need of a blood transfusion.We have been performing this surgery for almost 7 years now and have helped many women with multiple large tumors. We treat patients from all over this country and the world, but women must come to Los Angeles for the surgery. If you are interested, please give my office a call….I know we can give you a choice and allow you to keep your uterus.

Hi Dr. delJunco Jr.

I am a 46 YOW with reoccurring fibroids -2 5x6cmm that have been pressuring my bladder causing urinary retention problems. I don’t experience excessive bleeding or pain (except when palpated by my gyn). These are the same symptoms I experienced 6 years ago. At the time she recommended a hysterectomy but I opted for Lupron followed by a myomectomy. It went well except for some temporary lateral femoral cutaneous nerve numbness secondary to prolonged retractor pressure. I was asymtomatic until this fall when the pressure feeling began. The urologist checked my bladder via US -I was retaining only a couple of oz. He said this was acceptable & unless I started to have infections then I could take my time to decide what to do about the fibroids. He believed my sx’s were due to the fibroids pushing on the ureters. If I “push” then urination is easier during those times of the month when I really feel the problems. Any discomfort with intercourse can be decreased with positional modifications.Presently doing 2 months of Lupron prior to a tentative surgery scheduled next week. I see another gyn tomorrow for a 2nd opinion. Found your site today. Sooo now I am faced with the following: hysterectomy Recommended by my gyn, or a bloody myomectomy which she says she would rather not do. I had asked about vaginal or laproscopy hysterectomy but was told with a uterus as enlarged as mine(“16 weeks”) they would not be an option. Now for PMH- my mother died 16 yrs ago with cervical cancer, both my mom’s parents died of cancers of various kinds as did one of her brothers. So cancer is always in the back of my mind. Knowing this & that you don’t advocate hysterectomies willy nilly I wanted to get your imput. I have 2 adopted children by the way. Also after the myomectomy I later got pregnant to my surprise but miscarried at 11 weeks. The US had shown the fibroids were back and growing -this was in 1998. Thanks!

Dear Mary-
At your stage of the game, I would recommend neither hysterectomy or myomectomy…both have too many complications, as I think you are aware of.
You are a perfect candidate for FAS….we would remove ALL your tumors without the need of a blood transfusion and you would be able to save your uterus for natural progression into menopause and normal sexual functioning. As long as your paps have been normal, and are done annually, there is no present concern for cancer….fibroids are a benign condition and do not lead to cervical cancer.
If you elect to attempt a myomectomy, make certain you do NOT consent for a possible hysterectomy or you may wake up without your uterus.
I know our program can help you…give us a call if you are interested.