High Dose Brachytherapy after hysterectomy

lkmct · New User Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 2

Hi everyone.
I just stumbled across this wonderful forum.

I am recovering from a Total hysterectomy performed three weeks ago because of grade 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma. My symptoms seemed very minor. I am 54 and have been in menopause for two years. In September, I felt some cramps and had a little brownish discharge. About a month later, I felt the cramps again and saw just a couple of drops of blood. I almost let it go, because it seemed so minor compared to others symptoms I have heard described, and I tend to not like to go to the doctor. But, I just felt like something really wasn’t ok, so I went to my gynecologist. She also thought it probably wasn’t anything serious, but did a biopsy anyway. I think she was more surprised than I was when she called two days later and told me that I had a high grade endometrial adenocarcinoma. Within two weeks of the diagnosis, I was in the hospital having a total hysterectomy. The cancer was staged at 1A, apparently about as early as you can find it, and I feel very lucky.

Because of the high grade (more aggressive) type of cancer, my gyn oncologist referred me to a radiation oncologist. Even though it was in such an early stage, the radiation oncologist offered to do three sessions of High Dose Brachytherapy to decrease the possibility of recurrence. I agreed but am a little nervous about it. It sounded like the risk from this type of radiation is low, and although the risk of the cancer returning without it might be relatively low, this is extra insurance. Has anyone else been through this after surgery?

Linda

cardoso · Guest

I´m really glad you did the right thing.

Denial only makes thing worse, the "it must be nothing" approach never helps. A real sympton, even a minor one, a good doctor and a quick decision.

You dodged a big bullet, m´am.

If I were you I would take the radiation. As you were alredy told, it´s a minor risk and even if you cancer has little chance of coming back, the radiation has even less chance of harming you.

becksterh · New User Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 1

I completed 3 sessions back in September. My hysterectomy/BSO was back in January, but I also had chemo and regular low-dose radiation in between. My endometrial cancer was stage IIIa - grade II so they were very aggressive.

The brachytherapy didn't have any major side effects, except for feeling like I had an internal sunburn which was uncomfortable at times. I do have to use a vaginal dilator now, in order to keep the area from scarring and reducing the ability to have accurate pap smears in the future. My only hesitation about getting this treatment was the fact that they can only do this once. If I have a recurrence in the future and it is vaginal- we can't do this again.

Please feel free to contact me if you want more information about the procedure.

lkmct · New User Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for sharing your experience. I was also concerned about not being able to repeat this type of brachytherapy in case of a recurrence. But the answer I got from my oncologist was, that if a recurrence does happen, it will most likely be so significant by the time it is observable that this treatment wouldn't be an option anyway. I would need the whole pelvic area radiation.

I was given a pretty thorough explanation of the process and told that side effects would be minimal. But I feel much better hearing that confirmed by you, since you have personally experienced it. The "internal sunburn" sounds a little unpleasant but tolerable.

I hope you are doing well in your recovery.

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