1. < Gynecologic Cancers
Mentor

What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer?

Posted by Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5, Sep 29, 2022

I was diagnosed with endometrioid adenocarcinoma (Stage 1a, FIGO Grade 1) in 2019. I was treated for a recurrence in late 2021 with radiation therapy. I had 25 external beam treatments and 2 brachytherapy treatments. I'll share more details about the lengthy preparation and the actual treatments in a separate post below.

I know of members here who have had or are going to have radiation treatments. Would you like to share your radiation treatments and experiences with one another? This is a great way to support one another.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

aardvark2118 | @aardvark2118 | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @paz1956 "@naturegirl5 I’m new to this site & was reading your post on brachytherapy however I couldn’t..." + (show)
@paz1956

@naturegirl5 I’m new to this site & was reading your post on brachytherapy however I couldn’t find your post on your treatment experience, long term effects etc. I have endometrial cancer stage1a2, had total hysterectomy all labs were clean however oncologist recommended 4 brachytherapy sessions. The therapy is scaring me more than the surgery. My first BT treatment is
Dec 27,2024. I don’t know how it will go. Radiation oncologist stated I will receive dilator to use after treatment. I apologize if this is not the correct spot for this question.
I wish everyone the best!

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Hi. Try not to worry too much about the brachytherapy. I spent 6 month’s worrying about it while had completed chemo and external beam radiation and it was easy. Maybe a little uncomfortable but it literally lasts minutes. Only side effect was feeling a little tired. The dilator isn’t a big thing and keep in mind the end result of its use: so the area can be clearly visualized. When it’s over you can ring the heck out of the bell!!!

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1 reply
paz1956 | @paz1956 | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @aardvark2118 "Hi. Try not to worry too much about the brachytherapy. I spent 6 month’s worrying about..." + (show)
@aardvark2118

Hi. Try not to worry too much about the brachytherapy. I spent 6 month’s worrying about it while had completed chemo and external beam radiation and it was easy. Maybe a little uncomfortable but it literally lasts minutes. Only side effect was feeling a little tired. The dilator isn’t a big thing and keep in mind the end result of its use: so the area can be clearly visualized. When it’s over you can ring the heck out of the bell!!!

Jump to this post

Arrdvark2118- Thank You so much for your comment, it was helpful and makes me feel better. Hope you are doing well!

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1 reply
aardvark2118 | @aardvark2118 | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @paz1956 "Arrdvark2118- Thank You so much for your comment, it was helpful and makes me feel better...." + (show)
@paz1956

Arrdvark2118- Thank You so much for your comment, it was helpful and makes me feel better. Hope you are doing well!

Jump to this post

Any time! Take care!

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jc100 | @jc100 | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @paz1956 "@naturegirl5 Thank You so much for the information it was very helpful. Do you have any..." + (show)
@paz1956

@naturegirl5
Thank You so much for the information it was very helpful.
Do you have any long term side effects from the brachytherapy? I’ve read urine or bladder incontinence can occur. Will you share the brand of dilator you purchased?
Thank You so much! Your responds was very helpful & appreciated! Glad you are doing well keep up the good work. I never realized how hard a cancer diagnosis can be

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I had three sessions of brachytherapy in December 2023. There were no side effects. I do need to use a dilator once to twice per week. It was not a problem.

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1 reply
paz1956 | @paz1956 | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @jc100 "I had three sessions of brachytherapy in December 2023. There were no side effects. I do..." + (show)
@jc100

I had three sessions of brachytherapy in December 2023. There were no side effects. I do need to use a dilator once to twice per week. It was not a problem.

Jump to this post

That was great you had no side effects! Thank You!!
Take Care

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1 reply
jc100 | @jc100 | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @paz1956 "That was great you had no side effects! Thank You!! Take Care" + (show)
@paz1956

That was great you had no side effects! Thank You!!
Take Care

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Thank you, you take care too!

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Nov 22, 2024
In reply to @paz1956 "@naturegirl5 Thank You so much for the information it was very helpful. Do you have any..." + (show)
@paz1956

@naturegirl5
Thank You so much for the information it was very helpful.
Do you have any long term side effects from the brachytherapy? I’ve read urine or bladder incontinence can occur. Will you share the brand of dilator you purchased?
Thank You so much! Your responds was very helpful & appreciated! Glad you are doing well keep up the good work. I never realized how hard a cancer diagnosis can be

Jump to this post

@paz1956 I don't have any long term side effects from the brachytherapy. I don't have any urinary output problems or incontinence. I purchased a set of dilators that allowed me to start with a narrow one and gradually increase the width over time.

Intimate Rose Dilators:

-- https://www.intimaterose.com/collections/vaginal-dilators

Yes, the cancer diagnosis in a sense is just the beginning of the process. There is lots to do following diagnosis and treatment to keep yourself healthy.

How are you feeling today?

REPLY
1 reply
paz1956 | @paz1956 | Nov 22, 2024
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@paz1956 I don't have any long term side effects from the brachytherapy. I don't have any..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@paz1956 I don't have any long term side effects from the brachytherapy. I don't have any urinary output problems or incontinence. I purchased a set of dilators that allowed me to start with a narrow one and gradually increase the width over time.

Intimate Rose Dilators:

-- https://www.intimaterose.com/collections/vaginal-dilators

Yes, the cancer diagnosis in a sense is just the beginning of the process. There is lots to do following diagnosis and treatment to keep yourself healthy.

How are you feeling today?

Jump to this post

@naturegirl5 - thank you for your helpful comments and suggests. I’m so glad God lead me to this group you all have been very helpful. It’s hard navigating cancer diagnosis and following your doctors recommendation. I’m ok just waiting for my oncologist surgery follow up appointment & then brachytherapy end of Dec. had no issues with surgery
Hope you are doing well!
Thank You!!!!

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jeanadair123 | @jeanadair123 | Feb 15 1:03am

I am amazed from reading the comments that nearly everyone had a cast made, I went to Stanford and they did not make me one they just had me situate myself on the table in the same position. I did have side effects, a lot of bleeding in my rectum. I went to Stanford thinking this was the best place to go after reading everyone’s procedure I am beginning to wonder why I didn’t have a cast made. The tiredness did not bother me it was the pain in my rectum and the bleeding every time I had a bowel movement. Hopefully you won’t have this issue.
I had radiation and 5 brachytherapy.
Forgot to mention I started using a dilator 6 weeks after the radiation that was in 2016 and I am down to using it twice a week now. When I first started I was using it everyday, it depends whether or not you have a sexual relationship?

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