Radiation or not after surgery for endometrial cancer?

@bocabird It is rare type of endometrial cancer- I too was diagnosed in May 2017! I thought I was reading about myself!! I am in South Florida area- had a second opinion at Moffatt and they upped me from 1a to 2 due to their board seeing some cervical involvement. They did not want the sandwich protocol therapy - I had exactly what you had. Got through it on my own. I believe my osteoporosis is from the chemo. Me too so far so good-the oncologist said I do not need to see him anymore -just my regular gyno. Do you still get checkups with the oncologist?

I had hysterectomy and all lab tests, no specific tests before brachytherapy. Sentinel lymph nodes clear. If cancer cells escaped, then they can go anywhere as I understand, any organs, liver, lungs, brain, etc... brachytherapy is only in vagina, as I understand, future recurrence needs to be dealt with wherever it might occur.
I don't know if it would preclude external beam radiation, do you know?

Given a choice? We always have a choice, no matter what treatment might be offered.........

So they would still do brachytherapy 2 years after surgery? I'm surprised, they want to do brachytherapy 8 weeks after my surgery, 2 years seems like a long time, but what do I know, I'm not an oncologist

@dintelus6, welcome. You're asking good questions about brachytherapy, some of which have been discussed in these related discussions:
- Brachytherapy for endometrial cancer: What are long-term side effects?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/brachytherapy-for-endometrial-cancer-long-term-side-effects/
- Doctor doesn’t know: Brachytherapy or 25 radiation treatments?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/doctor-doesnt-know-wether-to-do-brachytherapy-or-25-radiation-treatme/

See all: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/gynecologic-cancer/

Did your oncologist explain the benefits of treatment vs no brachytherapy and the % risk of recurrence specific for you?

@ramidimitri, how are you and your wife doing? Did she, along with her cancer team, decide on the next treatment: external beam radiation or brachytherapy?

@dintelus6 I was diagnosed with endometroid adenocarcinoma FIGO Grade 1 Stage 1A in 2019. I asked my surgeon about the follow-up appointments and what would be involved. She told me that if I had a recurrence the most likely place would be the vaginal cuff. and so I would have a physical exam (speculum and pelvic exam) every 6 months. That's what happened as my nurse practitioner found a very tiny polyp on the vaginal cuff in 2021. Maybe this is why your doctor recommends brachytherapy?

When I had brachytherapy (2 sessions) after my recurrence the procedure was not at all painful. It was a little uncomfortable only because one must lie very still on a table, legs up in stirrups, while the device is placed in one's vagina. My radiation oncologist was very gentle and the device was easily inserted. The brachytherapy does cause scarring of tissue so after this and also 25 sessions of external pelvic radiation I need to use a vaginal lubricant on a regular basis and a dilator. I still do both of these. These measures keep the vagina in good health for future exams and if one is sexually active. I do not regret having brachytherapy.

I'm interested to know your decision and results since this post was from a year ago. ❤️

@1995victoria
You are absolutely correct. NO MATTER WHAT A DOCTOR MAY RECOMMEND (such as D&C, hysterectomy, chemotherapy, and/or radiation, A WOMAN CAN SAY YES OR NO. I don't want to be tortured by the medical establishment at the end of my life, SO I HAVE DECIDED TO SAY NO.

@cherylfromknoxvillet I certainly agree that it is our right as patients to say "yes" or "no" to any medical advice or procedure. I'm confused by your last remark. What have you decided to say "no" to?