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Is Radiotherapy needed for Ovarian/ Endometrial Cancer?
I’m reaching out to connect with anyone who may have experience or knowledge with Radiotherapy.
My wife has Ovarian/ Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Stage IIIC.
Doctors are unable to determine which one is primary hence giving her treatment for both Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer.
She is due to finish her Final Chemo 6th one on 8th Feb and then she has been recommended external Radiotherapy (Appointment with consultant to understand more about radiotherapy on 24th Jan)
She is BRCA1/2 and HRD Negative, She is pMMR, PL53 negative and ER and PR Weekly focal
She had CT Scan after 3rd Chemo which is clear no sign of cancer also CA125 is - 12 since 3rd Chemo
Question is do we need radiotherapy and what could be long term effect for that, heard in variaous place it can cause some other type of cancers down the line.
Really confused if we should go ahead or not?
Another question is, if anyone had been in similar situation, have they had any maintainance treatmemt? We have been advised due to her being Negatve on all above DNA test, there is no maintainance treatment which can help her, I would like to know experiance please.
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Hello I was diagnosed with stage 3 endometrial cancer in 2022. Had surgery and I completed chemo and external radiation and brachytherapy. I was very fortunate to have found all treatments “easy”. It was explained to me that chemo was a systemic treatment for any cancer cells that had moved throughout the body. The radiation was to specifically target the area where the tumor was and reduced the chance of a recurrence. From what I was told and have read the most common site fir a recurrence of this type of cancer is the vaginal cuff which both the external beam and brachytherapy target. It is never an easy decision but if you have confidence in your mds that helps. You can always request a second opinion. My advice fir what it is worth is to not google fir info but ask your md. While we may have the same type of cancer by name and location there are too many variables in cancer and with each of us. Not sure this is of any help but I wish you both all the best !
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4 ReactionsPs I was told I did not need maintenance therapy but that it was an option if needed in the future
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1 ReactionThanks @aardvark2118 , that can give us clarity, I shall request for 2nd Openion to my oncologirst.
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1 Reaction@doshi It looks like you received good recommendations from @aardvark2118. In addition, @aardvark2118 explained very well the purpose of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for these types of cancers. I hope that was helpful for you. Yes, a request for another opinion is a good plan. When will you and your wife talk with the oncologist?
Thank you, both. Getting ready for chemo/radiation therapy this week for recurrence of endometrial cancer (found in vaginal cuff) post hysterectomy 5 years ago. It really helps me to hear from others who have completed treatment.
@smmc2025 I had a recurrence in 2021, two years post hysterectomy and like you the recurrence of endometrial cancer was found in the vaginal cuff by my nurse practitioner. I had external beam and brachytherapy radiation therapy. It’s now 3 years after the recurrence and I keep up with my surveillance appointments which include CT and physical exam by the same nurse practitioner. There has been no evidence of disease in those 3 years and I am grateful that the recurrence in 2021 was found and treated.
Thanks @naturegirl5 and @smmc2025 I think from your experiance it sounds that we should go for Radiotherapy to reduce change of recurrence.
@naturegirl5 how often do you get a CT? Did you get CT’s prior to your recurrence or did they start after your recurrence? During my initial radiologist consultation he mentioned exams only no other testing will be performed. I just finished 4 brachytherapy sessions, with no issues all my worrying was for nothing.
Thank You for all your information.
@paz1956 For 3 years after the recurrence I was getting a CT every four months. I did not get a CT prior to the recurrence as my gyn-oncologist said that physical exams - a pelvic exam - was the standard since recurrences for endometrioid adenocarcinoma were primarily found in the vaginal cuff. It’s been 3 years since the recurrence so I now get a physical exams every 6 months and a CT annually. My next physical exam will be in May with no CT. My most recent CT was in November, 2024 and showed no evidence of disease.
Will you have any other treatment such as external beam radiation? Also, how often will you have exams going forward?
@naturegirl5 hi Helen, I’m currently not scheduled for any other treatments, my rad oncologist mentioned exams every 3 months alternating between radiologist oncologist (6 months) gyn oncologists (6 months). My gyn oncologist stated we would review surveillance plan during next visit in March. I start using the dilator on Friday, this is my next challenge. Every step of this journey is scary & challenging. I did order a silicon dilator from Intimate Rose (thank you for the suggestion)
That is wonderful your CT is clean!!
Keep doing what you are doing it’s working!!!
Thank You for your kindness and support!! You have been very helpful!!