‘Pretty Little Liars’ Star Janel Parrish, 35, Underwent Surgery To Remove Cysts & Scar Tissue Amid Painful Endometriosis Battle

Understanding Endometriosis & Cancer Risk

• “Pretty Little Liars” star Janel Parrish, 35, recently underwent surgery to remove cysts and scar tissue after her diagnosis of endometriosis. She’s hoping that by sharing her diagnosis, she can spread awareness for endometriosis and help other women feel less alone.
• Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus, known as the endometrium, grows on the outside of the uterus. It often brings debilitating pain and can often be difficult to diagnose.
• Although endometriosis and endometrial cancer cause similar symptoms, they are not the same. In the case of endometrial cancer, the endometrial cells lining the uterus become cancerous, while endometriosis is benign, or non-cancerous.
• Although endometriosis isn’t curable, its symptoms can be managed for a better quality of life. Treatment may include surgery, hormone treatments, or pain medications.

Janel Parrish, known for her starring role as Mona Vanderwaal in "Pretty Little Liars," has taken informed her fans she's undergone surgery to remove cysts and scar tissue after her diagnosis of endometriosis, a benign condition affecting the uterus that causes intense pain. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus, known as the endometrium, grows on the outside of the uterus. Though endometriosis can be confused with endometrial cancer due to the staging, this condition is not cancerous.

The 35-year-old actress and singer took to her Instagram story on Tuesday to reveal she's recovering from surgery and hoping to spread awareness for endometriosis. Alongside a photo of herself holding someone's hand, presumably her husband Chris Long, in the hospital, she wrote, "I usually keep my private life private...but I wanted to share this if it can help other women suffering to know they're not alone. "After months of excruciating pain and not knowing why, I was diagnosed with Endometriosis and underwent surgery to remove cysts and scar tissue as a result of the disease. To my Endo sisters, there is so little information out there about this and there is no cure...so it is easy for us to feel helpless, scared and alone.”

Expert Resources On Endometriosis

• Endometriosis Vs. Endometrial Cancer — What’s the Difference?
• Endometrial Cancer — Choosing The Right Doctor
• Endometrial Cancer — How to Spot the Signs And Symptoms Earlier
• How Doctors Recognize and Diagnose Different Types of Endometrial Cancer
• New Immunotherapy Approvals Provide Hope for Women With Advanced Endometrial Cancer: What to Know
• There are Treatment Options For Early Endometrial Cancer and Beyond

She concluded, "Seeing other women posting about their experiences made ME feel stronger. I hope this helps to keep the conversation about Endo open and flowing, so we can raise awareness and lift each other up. "We ARE strong and we got this. I got you." Parrish also shared two separate photos of her beloved dogs who are keeping her company as she recovers from surgery, dubbing them the "best" nurses.

What is Endometriosis?

Confusion may exist about whether endometriosis is linked to cancer, but there’s no research that connects the two together. Although endometriosis may present symptoms similar to endometrial cancer, it is “not cancer,” OB/GYN and oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Dr. Bobbie Rimel previously told SurvivorNet. RELATED: Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s Daughter, 25, Endured 10 Years of Pain and Misdiagnoses Before Finding Relief for Endometriosis “Endometriosis is the term for whenever those endometrial cells, those lining of the uterus cells, are outside of their normal place, which is inside the uterus,” Dr. Rimel explained, again adding that it is a benign condition, which means non-cancerous. Dr. Bobbie Rimel explains the difference between endometrial cancer and endometriosis. “Endometrial cancer is actually when cells of the lining of the uterus become cancerous and begin to invade the uterus wall,” Dr. Rimel continued. “[The cancer cells] may spread to the fallopian tubes, to the ovaries or the lining of the pelvis or elsewhere in the body.” According to Johns Hopkins Medicine , endometriosis usually occurs on or near reproductive organs in the pelvis or abdomen, can be found in other areas such as the fallopian tubes, ligaments around the uterus (uterosacral ligaments), lining of the pelvic cavity, ovaries, outside surface of the uterus, space between the uterus and the rectum or bladder. In rare circumstances, it can also grow on and around the bladder, cervix, intestines, rectum, stomach (abdomen), and vagina or vulva. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Endometriosis often causes severe pain in the pelvis, especially during menstrual periods. Some people also have pain during sex or when using the bathroom. Some people have trouble getting pregnant. “Some people with endometriosis don’t have any symptoms. For those who do, a common symptom is pain in the lower part of the belly (pelvis). Pain may be most noticeable during a period, during or after sex, when urinating or defecating.” Some people may also experience the following symptoms:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Heavy bleeding during periods or between periods
• Trouble getting pregnant
• Bloating or nausea
• Fatigue
• Depression or anxiety

Dr. Dana Chase explains when symptoms may indicate endometrial cancer.

Endometriosis Treatment

One of the signature identifiers for endometriosis is the severe pain it brings. Although endometriosis isn’t curable, its symptoms can be managed for a better quality of life. According to the National Institutes of Healt h, hormone therapy can be an effective treatment option to manage pain. “Hormone treatments stop the ovaries from producing hormones, including estrogen, and usually prevent ovulation,” the NIH explains. By cutting off estrogen, the activity of the endometrium and endometrial lesions slows down. RELATED: Comedian Amy Schumer, 42, Experienced Debilitating Pain Before Treatment for Endometriosis– Scary, But Not A Cancer Risk Surgery is an option for severe cases where pain is intolerable. Surgeons can remove endometriosis lesions (also called patches) of endometrial tissue often found in the pelvis. Pain medications are also an option to manage symptoms. WATCH: How endometrial cancer surgery can help determine your treatment journey.

How Endometrial Cancer Treatment Differs

Surgery is usually the first treatment considered for endometrial cancer when the disease is localized, and that alone may be all that’s necessary. However, more advanced stages of endometrial cancer may require a more targeted treatment approach. Patients whose cancer is confined to the uterus are considered low risk for recurrence and are likely to be treated with surgery alone. However, patients with advanced cancer that has metastasized beyond the uterus are considered at higher risk. These patients will likely need additional treatments beyond surgery, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation. A minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopic surgery is an option for patients. It uses small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon uses an affixed camera during the procedure to look inside the abdomen and remove the organs that need to be taken out. These organs may include the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. “The procedure can also include removal of the necessary lymph nodes,” Dr. Rimel explains. WATCH: Choosing the right surgeon. Dr. Rimel says patients will likely experience some discomfort for the first few days after surgery. Most of the pain will be around the incisions. “They may feel really tired after their surgery, but they’re generally able to get up, make a sandwich, check email, that kind of thing,” Dr. Rimel said. After surgery, patients can return to normal activities within about a week or two; however, each patient’s recovery time may vary.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• What might my symptoms mean? What plan can we make to deal with them?
• Are other treatment options available in my situation?
• What will the timeline for my treatment look like?
• What literature can you give me about my treatment plan?

The Choice to Share

We admire Janel Parrish's decision to share her diagnosis to spread awareness for endometriosis. The choice to share or not share one’s cancer diagnosis is a personal one for anyone facing the disease, even if they’re not a celebrity. While some people choose to share only with close friends and family, others post their entire journey on social media, create blogs and detail their treatments, side effects and doctor reports. According to Dr. Renee Exelbert , a licensed psychologist and founding director of The Metamorphosis Center for Psychological and Physical Change in New York, the decision to openly disclose or not disclose one’s diagnosis may be made more complicated for someone in the public eye, as they may feel pressure to serve as a role model, or to use their notable platform for the greater good. She says public figures and celebrities are often held to a harsher standard, frequently having their appearance and behaviors rigorously evaluated. This might make hiding a cancer diagnosis more difficult and may also make disclosing a cancer diagnosis a greater burden to bear. Also, just because someone is a public figure or celebrity does not spare them from judgment and the insensitive comments of others, especially while they may be fighting for their life. Dr. Exelbert says the decision to disclose or not disclose a cancer diagnosis is a very individual and personal one in any case. “Certain Individuals may feel as though their sense of self has been deeply impacted by their diagnosis, and they want to keep it private. At their core, certain individuals may struggle with appearing weak, vulnerable or sick, and particularly do not want to withstand the opinion or commentary of others while facing a cancer diagnosis,” she explained. “Additionally, some may feel that revealing a cancer diagnosis may pose a threat to their sense of professional identity and how capable they are perceived by others.” Dr. Exelbert also said some may feel they don’t have the coping resources to withstand scrutiny, whereas others may welcome the distraction and attention. Most importantly, however, she said there is no right or wrong approach. “When an individual experiences trauma, which cancer certainly is, they need to be in charge of how their story is told in order to avoid further disempowerment. Thus, the decision to disclose or not to disclose should be wholly and rightfully left up to each individual.” So, is one way more beneficial than the other? Dr. Exelbert says there are pros and cons to sharing. “A positive aspect of sharing one’s diagnosis on social media is the potential to receive an outpouring of support, occasionally from people all over the world who have experienced something similar, and who may be able to offer useful suggestions,” Exelbert says. “Additionally, someone’s unique story may catch the attention of those performing clinical trials or offering unique treatment options, looking for participants.” She said the ability to inspire countless people with one’s experience and story can also be a very powerful motivating factor. “Some individuals are looking to chronicle their journey, almost as testament to what they have experienced and to leave a legacy. It might additionally be beneficial to publicly share one’s story, as it can serve as a platform to educate others about cancer and its emotional and physical symptoms, as well as challenge stigma and change society.” On the other hand, she says a con of revealing one’s diagnosis on social media is that people may share unsolicited stories of poor outcomes that they have either heard about, or experienced personally, many of which are unrelated to your particular situation. For example, some may tell you they know someone who had the same type of cancer, but died, which can be overwhelming and create undue stress. “Additionally, once you share your diagnosis, you often have to manage the emotional experience of others,” Dr. Exelbert told SurvivorNet. “Sometimes, people will be very upset by your diagnosis and need you to take care of them or make your situation easier for them to deal with. This can prove quite difficult when you are barely in control of managing your own emotions. Further, many individuals might find it quite difficult to present themselves in such a vulnerable way on social media, as many often utilize this medium to garner accolades from presenting their ‘ideal self’ versus their ‘real self.'” RELATED: Why Do Some People Share Their Cancer Journey Publicly While Others Choose to Fight Quietly? No matter what someone’s choice is when it comes to sharing a cancer diagnosis, the most important thing is that they feel support. For some, support from a few close friends, family members or professionals may be enough, while others need to feel connected on a larger scale. The last thing anyone needs is to be made to feel bad about that choice. Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff