Hi everyone. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer In December 2019 and underwent a radical hysterectomy in Jan 2020. Chemotherapy was stopped and consultant is suggesting radiotherapy and brachytherapy but I really want to speak to someone who has experience of this as cant make up my mind. Can anyone help please?
I had radiotherapy and brachytherapy for stage 2A cervical cancer. Of course, I am not a doctor, but it is my understanding that the brachytherapy will put the radiation in closer proximity to potential spots the cancer could be and the radiotherapy can precisely target certain areas. I am glad I had the treatments, for me it was necessary. The only negative side effect I have had (and I am 7/12 years post treatment) is the vaginal tissue is super fragile. I hope this helps.
Hi Laura. Thank you so much for your reply. Were your bladder and bowels ok? There seem to be very few positive stories out there so yours is encouraging. Thank you.
In response to your questionon brachytherapy, I had Stage 2B cervical cancer, and was treated with chemo radiotherapy with brachy from Nov 19 ending on 3rd Jan this year. Luckily it went well for me, and I was given the all clear a couple of weeks ago with the consultant saying it was an excellent result and my body had responded well to treatment. Radiotherapy for five weeks, I got through it fine, (I'm 55 and relatively fit), with fatigue and some hip pain. The brachy was an unusual experience to say the least, and I had to stay in hospital for two days, flat on my back, and had three treatments of internal radiotherapy. No tumour could survive that, which was my feeling at the time, and has proved to be correct. My only worry is the amount of radiation that my body received and what will be the long term effects. Luckily I was in a hospital with state of the art equipment, and hopefully the radiation only targeted the tumour. But still, sometimes I still feel the heat in my pelvis and I wonder what's going on in there. You have to weigh up everything, it's a really tough decision, but I have to say, for me, it was the right decision - but it was the only option I had, as surgery was not offered. The Oncologist told me cancer treatment has come a long way in just 10 years, so trust your instincts and speak to your team for reassurance, there is a reason why they have suggested this course of treatment for you. All the best, Diane
Hello again... you also mentioned bladder and bowels - which is a very important question. My bladder was OK for most of it, especially during the day, then i started having to go up to 4 times a night towards end of treatment - which is a lot. That's back to normal now. There were bowel changes too, luckily for me did not include diarrhea, but mainly going at least 4 times a day - which I did not find upsetting at all. I think I'm back to normal there too, and have been slightly constipated (so definitely back to normal !) ... I did wonder at the time why no protection was offered to the abdomen during radiotherapy - it was only a question that came up afterwards and I've never had a chance to ask it. There is a pelvic radiation disease association, so that gives you an idea of what radiation does to the pelvis. So technically after almost 3 months post treatment, I can say I am completely back to normal with no side effects showing, so I'm really pleased how it all went. But we're all individuals and it's hard to predict how it will turn out... Best Diane,
Yes, bladder and bowels ok. It took a while for everything to settle down, I had diarrhea more often than normal for the first 6 to 8 months after but nothing I couldn't deal with.
