Cancer Research UK main site

Radiotherapy or not?

Lo
Offline

Hi everyone,  it's my first post here and what has make me write is a big necessity for information about how real are the long term side effects of radiotherapy.  

I'm 53 with adenocarcinoma in the cervix.  Had a surgery 3 months ago and the pathology report shows metastasis in 1/6 lymphatic nodules.  That's why the doctors recommend low dose quimo with moderately radiotherapy. 

If you had radiotherapy would you be kind to share your experience with me?

I already read most of the information in official pages but they very and just would love to hear from a real patient.

 

  • Offline

    Lo

    I have had radiotherapy but not in the area where you will be treated. I am sure you have read up on the procedure and will know what to expect, and the possible short and long term side effects. However I would say this, you have metastatic cancer, without further treatment the effects of cancer will be worse than the long term effects of radiotherapy. At least with radiotherapy there may be a long term and you can deal with the effects when you get there. This is something you have to weigh up, you can discuss this with the oncologist. Radiotherapy has prolonged my life, sure it has caused some permanent, debilitating side effects but I can deal with those day to day and still enjoy life. I'm told there is a chance that the radiotherapy itself can cause a cancer 10 to 15 years down the line. If I live that long I will be over the moon and that new cancer will be a small price to pay for those extra years. Hopefully a member of this forum will post a first hand experience of your particular treatment. Wishing you well and good judgement when making your decision. Kim

  • Offline

    Hi Lo,

    Although I had a different cancer to ŷou, (rectal) I did have pelvic radiotherapy so possibly some of my experiences will be similar to what you could experience too. 

    As you probably know from reading about radiotherapy, it is painless and the sessions tend to be very short

    I didn't notice any physical changes for about 3 to 4 weeks in to the sessions, but then the effects started to build up and I experienced diarrhoea, burning pain when going to the toilet (when passing urine and diarrhoea) I also suffered from burnt skin around my bottom. 

    The hospital provided medications and cream to help with all these symptoms. I was also given dilators to use to help keep my vaginal walls from adhering together (for future smear tests, physical relationship etc) 

    Although these symptoms did cause me pain and discomfort, they seemed to disappear very rapidly soon after their peak. 

    As Kim as said, I wouldnt have any qualms about having the treatment and I'm also due to have another few sessions on some suspect nodes in my abdomen which I know will cause side effects, but I'm willing to take these on, hoping they'll benefit me longer term. 

    I hope my post has been more helpful than scary. Please let us know how you go on.

    Jo x

     

  • Offline

    Hi Lo,

    I had 37 radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer. The only side effect I had was towards the end of my treatment, I suffered a small amount of bleeding from my back passage when going to the loo. But I was given some suppositories and this helped. I suppose I had this on and off for about two years, mainly if I had to strain to go. I did have to have a camera up the rear end and was able to see it's journey on the screen. The blood vessels were very near the surface and I was told the radiotherapy had agravated them.

    It was not a big problem and has now cleared up all together. I can say, it has been a very effective treatment and together with the hormone therapy has saved my life.

    We all react differntly to treatments, some sail through with little or no side effects while others have problems. But I would just say, listen to the advice the medics give you. I was told for instance, if I felt tired after treatment when I got home, to just go and lie down for a few miniutes which I did and I felt okay afterwards.

    I hope this helps. Best wishes and please let us know how you get on, Brian.

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.