Aunt Flow Returns!

[GroovyGrl]

When my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 9 years ago, she went through a full hysterectomy and additional chemotherapy treatments for a full year following surgery.  The cancer had gone into remission and had been there for 7 years.  In 2008, she had been re-diagnosed with the same cancer.  Only this time it spanned the wall of her bladder, attached itself to the pelvic cavity and metastasized to the lower lung.  She received additional chemotherapy treatment to combat this.  Her last visit to the doctor was 4 months ago, and the outcome of her screenings indicated that the tumor inside the lung had grown slightly.  However, her doctor did not want to put her on chemotherapy treatment, because she has been able to improve her health immensely by instating a new nutritional and physically active lifestyle.  For the passed 2-3 months though, she has been having regular periods of vaginal bleeding (similar to menstruation).  The bleeding is light, persists for a few days and then does not return for another 28 days.  She is 63 and passed the age of menopause, so could this bleeding be from another tumor or due to her drastic change in healthful lifestyle???

[jane65]

Yes do hound her, she's probably afraid of the diagnosis no matter what's causing the bleeding. Ignoring it won't make it go away.

Time is so important in diagnosing and treating any disease.
Jane

[GroovyGrl]

Many thanks to you both for your responses to my quiery!
When my mom brought it up to me, I did recommend her that she should see her oncologist immediately.  She does not have any ovaries, which rules out the production of estrogen leading to mensrual blood flow (this in addition to her being at a post-menapausal age).  I will continue to hound her about going to see her doctor as soon as possible.  Your responses are greatly appreciated!

[jane65]

Hopeshell is absolutely right, after a hysterectomy any bleeding from the vagina should be addressed by a GYN/ONC.

It's definitely an abnormal situation.

[hopeshell]

I would be concerned about the bleeding being due to tumor activity.   After a hysterectomy, there is nothing that should be bleeding.   Please encourage your mom to get into her gyn/onc right away.