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Radiation or not after surgery for endometrial cancer?
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.
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Hello @marceyw
Maybe we can help each other.
My grandmother (age 88) stage 2 endometrial carcinosarcoma with spread to cervix just completed 3 brachytherapy treatments and 5 weeks of radiation. Other than gas and diarrhea, she did not have any other side effects. One of the brachytherapy treatments was uncomfortable for her (the removal of the applicator) as she was awake and refused pain medication. Following that, she did request medication and they ended up just sedating her briefly to remove.
She is scheduled for a hysterectomy on Tuesday and would really like your input on the recovery. Her surgeon did NoT want to operate first- hence why she did RT before surgery.
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2 ReactionsRadiation worked very well for a family member but it helps to have it done where they really know how to administer it effectively. Side effects were very manageable for the most part.
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2 Reactions@marceyw First, welcome to our Support Group. You’ll get kindness and support here from those of us who have had gynecological cancer.
I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer (endometrioid adenocarcinoma, Stage 1a, FIGO 1) in 2019. I had recurrence in late 2021 and had pelvic external beam radiation and two sessions of brachytherapy. I can tell you that the brachytherapy was easier than I thought it would be and I was able to get up and walk out of the clinic with no after effects. My nurse practitioner who I see for my cancer surveillance appointments does a pelvic exam at each appointment. She tells me that there is some scarring at the site of the brachytherapy.
Since you are on the fence about where to go from here would you like to get another opinion? You could ask your primary care provider to refer you to another gyn-oncology practice. Or, if you are interested in getting another opinion at Mayo Clinic you could request an appointment at one of the 3 locations of Mayo Clinic using this link:
Request an appointment at Mayo Clinic:
http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
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