1. < Gynecologic Cancers

Radiation or not after surgery for endometrial cancer?

Posted by marceyw @marceyw, Feb 4, 2024

I was diagnosed with early stage endometrial cancer at Christmas. Had complete hysterectomy on 1/9/24. There was no cancer in the sentinel lymph nodes, ovaries or tubes. My doctor is suggesting brachytherapy to cut my 10% chance of recurrence to 5%. I’m concerned about the side effects. Has anyone been thru this and what are the possible side affects of this type of radiation? Dr said I don’t have the harmful P53 gene but do have a gene that would qualify me for immunotherapy if it were to come back. Really torn about what to do next. Would like to think I could fight the return with diet and lifestyle. Ideas and experiences appreciated.

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

acktiv1 | @acktiv1 | Jul 17, 2024
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@acktiv1 I'm so glad you found us and that we can offer support. Please check out..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@acktiv1 I'm so glad you found us and that we can offer support. Please check out any support groups that meet online through Mayo Clinic. I know there is a Gynecological Cancer support group that meets and when the next meeting is coming up you will see a notice on the right side of your screen.

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Thank you! I’ll look for that information.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 24, 2024
In reply to @acktiv1 "Thank you! I’ll look for that information." + (show)
@acktiv1

Thank you! I’ll look for that information.

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@acktiv1, I hope you were able to attend on Zoom the July meeting. If not, please see the info for the August meeting here:
- Gynecologic Cancer Support Meeting: Women of S-Teal https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/gynecologic-cancer-support-group-women-of-s-teal-11/

All are welcome. You don't have to be a Mayo Clinic patient although it is hosted by Mayo Clinic social workers.

See all Events here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/events/

Naturally, you also have the support 24/7 on this forum too. 🙂

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1 reply
acktiv1 | @acktiv1 | Jul 25, 2024
In reply to @colleenyoung "@acktiv1, I hope you were able to attend on Zoom the July meeting. If not, please..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@acktiv1, I hope you were able to attend on Zoom the July meeting. If not, please see the info for the August meeting here:
- Gynecologic Cancer Support Meeting: Women of S-Teal https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/gynecologic-cancer-support-group-women-of-s-teal-11/

All are welcome. You don't have to be a Mayo Clinic patient although it is hosted by Mayo Clinic social workers.

See all Events here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/events/

Naturally, you also have the support 24/7 on this forum too. 🙂

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Thank you so much, Colleen. I didn’t know about the Zoom in July, but thanks to you have registered for the one in August. I needed this kind of place so intensely a year and a half ago when I was diagnosed and treated for Stage 1B Grade 3 endometrial cancer. I am grateful for the availability now.

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ihndz | @ihndz | Jul 28, 2024
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@ihndz Irma, I did not have any symptoms associated with the recurrence of my cancer (endometroid..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@ihndz Irma, I did not have any symptoms associated with the recurrence of my cancer (endometroid adenocarcinoma, FIGO Grade 1, Stage 1). My nurse practitioner found a very tiny polylp on my vaginal cuff cancer surveillance appointment (there had been nothing there 6 months prior). She removed it and sent it to pathology for biopsy. It came back positive for the same cancer I was diagnosed with two years earlier. After conferring with the gynoncologists in her department (Mayo Clinic) she ordered a PET/MR from head to pelvis. It showed nothing suspicious. My nurse practitioner was surprised with this finding as were the doctors thinking that there must have been a tumor forming at, behind, or near the vaginal cuff. With the results of the pathology report on the polyp and the negative results from the PET/MR I was referred to radiation oncology. I then had both external pelvic and internal (brachytherapy). That was two years ago and since then I've been returning every four months for cancer surveillance and there has been no evidence of disease.

Like you, it has been difficult at times for me not to dwell on a recurrence or a new cancer. I try to let those thoughts go.

If you are like me and keep up your cancer surveillance appointments the likelihood is that if anything changes or shows up it will be caught very early. That's what happened with me and for that I'm very grateful.

I do what you do. Travel, enjoy family and friends and I get compliments that I don't look my age (72). I do everything I can to stay healthy but the not-looking-my-age is down to genetics. My father and his family were the same. Do you get those compliments too?

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@naturegirl5 Hi Helen, YES i get that compliment often. For years I was even id at casinos because i looked 18 at 30. I'm a short lady 4"11 and a healthy weight. Like you, i think it has to do with genes, in that regards I think that we are very lucky, 😊.

Back to our Big C issue, if i was in my 80's i wouldn't be giving this so much thought but in my 60's and two young grandsons it scares me a lot to miss on their future lives too soon.

I will keep hope up, check ups and stay as healthy as possible 🙏
Thanks for your kind words, it helped me feel good and your advice helped me too. Take care of yourself and good luck to you and everyone else here looking for info or a word of comfort....i read almost all the posts. Regards, irma

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acktiv1 | @acktiv1 | Jul 29, 2024
In reply to @ihndz "@naturegirl5 Hi Helen, YES i get that compliment often. For years I was even id at..." + (show)
@ihndz

@naturegirl5 Hi Helen, YES i get that compliment often. For years I was even id at casinos because i looked 18 at 30. I'm a short lady 4"11 and a healthy weight. Like you, i think it has to do with genes, in that regards I think that we are very lucky, 😊.

Back to our Big C issue, if i was in my 80's i wouldn't be giving this so much thought but in my 60's and two young grandsons it scares me a lot to miss on their future lives too soon.

I will keep hope up, check ups and stay as healthy as possible 🙏
Thanks for your kind words, it helped me feel good and your advice helped me too. Take care of yourself and good luck to you and everyone else here looking for info or a word of comfort....i read almost all the posts. Regards, irma

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Treatment decisions are rarely easy but personal priorities certainly are important. At nearly 84, quality of life was my driving force. I’m comfortable with my choice of 3 brachytherapy treatments. We have to choose what feels right and not second guess ourselves.

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gisellef | @gisellef | Sep 3, 2024
In reply to @karenpollock "I had 3 radiation treatments at Abbott Northwestern. I had no side effects from this treatment..." + (show)
@karenpollock

I had 3 radiation treatments at Abbott Northwestern. I had no side effects from this treatment and haven't had any symptoms of any kind since. All my checkups have been negative.

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Excellent. My family member was fine with her 4 week radiation schedule until the end of the third week.
All the best to all those currently in treatment.

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gisellef | @gisellef | Sep 3, 2024

My inclination is to follow your doctor’s advice. Endometrial cancer can return—even when you are diagnosed at very early stages. I would at least try the radiation therapy if in your position. Much easier to get through this now than to deal with the possibility of a recurrence, as you may not notice the symptoms until much later.
Whatever you decide I wish you well in your recovery and return to good health.

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jc100 | @jc100 | Sep 4, 2024

I had three brachytherapy sessions, and there were no side effects. I was diagnosed with aggressive endometrial cancer, and I wanted to do everything to prevent it from recurring. I wish you a good recovery, but do discuss it more with your doctors.

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cookercooker | @cookercooker | Sep 4, 2024

Go for the radiation! Although I don't know much about brachytherapy, I do know that it is better than external beam radiation: less chance of killing off healthy surrounding tissues. Just wondering why you wouldn't be getting chemo as well.
As for diet and healthy lifestyle, while everyone should follow the regime the effects on cancer may be minimal. Cancer is complicated, operating at the DNA level, so I don't imagine that eating cruciferous veggies and other purported cancer-antagonistic foods would be potent enough to mitigate the course of the disease.
Having said that, there are natural foods and supplements (like pectin) that can ameliorate the effects of radiation.
Hope this helps.

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diaz | @diaz | 1 day ago

When I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer Grade 3, I had a complete hysterectomy. After the surgery, in my follow up appointment with my GYN-Oncologist, I was informed that chemotherapy followed by brachytherapy was the recommended course of treatment for me. I wanted to know, if I found chemotherapy to be too difficult could I stop. I was told Yes, but that I should have the brachytherapy.
I thought about it and it made sense to me to have the brachytherapy since it was through that area that the uterus was removed. I also felt that I would be second guessing myself if I did not have the brachytherapy and the cancer came back.
I completed both the chemotherapy and the brachytherapy in December 2023 and do have to use a dilator to prevent scarring.
It has been 14 months since I completed all treatment and I have follow up appointments, with a CA125 blood test and a physical examination, every three months. All appointments to date show no evidence of disease.
I hope you make an informed decision based on good medical advice and what you feel is best for you.

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