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Does vaginal brachytherapy affect a titanium hip replacement?
I had a total hip replacement in 2023 and was just diagnosed with endometrial cancer in Feb 2025. I have had a radical total hysterectomy and is was surgically staged as 1A2, grade 2. The tumor board has recommended undergoing vaginal brachytherapy and I have many questions about short and long term effects but my main concern is the affect the radiation will have on the hip implant and surrounding hip socket. Has anyone else undergone brachytherapy with a hip replacement that can help with my concerns? Thanks so much in advance.
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@nana1972 That's a very good question. I had a total hip replacement with an implant (performed in 2019) when I had radiation therapy for a recurrence of endometrial cancer. I had 25 sessions of pelvic radiation and 2 sessions of brachytheray. My radiation oncology team was very aware of my hip replacement and did not mention anything about an effect the brachytherapy may have on my hip replacement hardware. That was in January 2022. It's now 3 years later and I have not noticed any difference.
Since your hip replacement was very recent I'd suggest that you ask your orthopedic surgeon your question. When you do that would you please let me know the answer?
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2 ReactionsI actually found good info on a couple of the prostrate forum discussions. 😉. Many of the men had brachytherapy and they had hip replacements. They suggested reminding the radiology oncologist and physicist doing the calculations to ensure the rad field was not going to reach or damage the implant or hip joint area. None have had any short or long term effects. Got to love guys willing to share!
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3 Reactions@nana1972, have you started radiation treatments? How is it going?
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1 ReactionHi Colleen, I saw my GO last week and am finally healed enough to be referred to the radiology oncologist for a consultation. I hope to hear from their office soon. I am busy compiling all of my questions and concerns. I’ll update when I have seen him and we make a decision based on his answers to my concerns and have a plan I feel I can live with long term. I am so grateful for my husband’s support and my oncologist’s willingness to support whatever decision we make. Blessings!
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1 ReactionI had my consultation appointment today with the radiologist oncologist my GO recommended. Bless his heart, he was so patient and kind to listen and answer all five pages of my questions! I will have three sessions of HDR vaginal cuff brachytherapy. Next week I go for the simulation appointment and fitting and then the next three weeks I go once a week for the actual treatment. He said my hip would be fine and was confident that I would not have any life altering long term side effects. I have read, studied current reports and watched more brachytherapy symposiums than I would ever have expected but I feel we both (hubby and me), were reassured that we are in good, experienced hands. I have done what I can within my control so now I continue to pray for peace and trust that the Good Lord has me in the shelter of His wings. Blessings and prayers for all the fellow travelers on their own journeys.
@nana1972. This is excellent news! I’m so happy to hear that you saw a radiation oncologist who was patient, allowed you to ask all of your questions, and provided the reassurance you needed to go ahead with the brachytherapy. As I wrote to you earlier, I had both external pelvic radiation and two sessions of brachytherapy and I had a hip replacement prior to these treatments. I am now 3 years out from the radiation treatments and still do not notice any effects on my hip.
Will you please come back to this Discussion and let me know about your simulation and then your treatments?