What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer?

That was great you had no side effects! Thank You!!
Take Care

I had three sessions of brachytherapy in December 2023. There were no side effects. I do need to use a dilator once to twice per week. It was not a problem.

@naturegirl5
Thank You so much for the information it was very helpful.
Do you have any long term side effects from the brachytherapy? I’ve read urine or bladder incontinence can occur. Will you share the brand of dilator you purchased?
Thank You so much! Your responds was very helpful & appreciated! Glad you are doing well keep up the good work. I never realized how hard a cancer diagnosis can be

Arrdvark2118- Thank You so much for your comment, it was helpful and makes me feel better. Hope you are doing well!

Hi. Try not to worry too much about the brachytherapy. I spent 6 month’s worrying about it while had completed chemo and external beam radiation and it was easy. Maybe a little uncomfortable but it literally lasts minutes. Only side effect was feeling a little tired. The dilator isn’t a big thing and keep in mind the end result of its use: so the area can be clearly visualized. When it’s over you can ring the heck out of the bell!!!

@naturegirl5 I’m new to this site & was reading your post on brachytherapy however I couldn’t find your post on your treatment experience, long term effects etc. I have endometrial cancer stage1a2, had total hysterectomy all labs were clean however oncologist recommended 4 brachytherapy sessions. The therapy is scaring me more than the surgery. My first BT treatment is
Dec 27,2024. I don’t know how it will go. Radiation oncologist stated I will receive dilator to use after treatment. I apologize if this is not the correct spot for this question.
I wish everyone the best!

@paz1956 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Adding to this discussion is absolutely the right place for your comments and questions.

Bravo that the hysterectomy is done and the diagnosed cancer was in early stages.

I had 2 treatments of brachytherapy with one day between the two treatments. I also had 25 sessions of pelvic radiation. While the brachytherapy was awkward (I had to lie on my back with my feet up in supports. Think gynecological exam with the your feet up in the air) the staff were very attentive to making me comfortable. The radiation oncologist was very careful with the device and used plenty of lubricant so the brachytherapy when administered was not uncomfortable for me. After both treatments I felt good and walked out of the treatment room on my own.

I was sent home with two dilators. The dilators were made of hard plastic and frankly not all that comfortable to use so I purchased softer and more comfortable dilators after looking at various options online. The radiation oncologist nurse spent considerable time with me before the brachytherapy to explain what I needed to do after treatment. This included using the dilators at a prescribed time (I’d have to check but I think about 7-10 days after brachytherapy) and use them several times weekly. I was sent home with all the directions I needed. I was also advised to use a moisturizer that would help minimize scarring. I use and continue to use Hyalo-Gyn that I order online but there are others that you can buy at Walmart or Target that are easier to obtain and less expensive.

Hyalo-Gyn:

— https://hyalogyn.com/products/hyalo-gyn-vaginal-hydrating-gel-30-day-supply

The radiation oncology nurse explained to me that use of the dilator and moisturizer are both important because scarring can occur from radiation treatment. If we do not keep the vagina « open » with the use of the dilator and moisturizer then follow-up exams will be more difficult because the doctor cannot see inside the vagina for exams. I am 3 years out from radiation therapy. I was my nurse practitioner yesterday who did a pelvic exam including a vaginal exam. She has no difficulty using a vaginal speculum to view inside me.

Is this the information you requested? Is there any other information I can help with?

@terradean I'm so glad that @colleenyoung provided sage advice on how chemotherapy affects DNA and what the mRNA vaccine does to cells and does not do to DNA. @marys1956 thoughts about use of non-drowsy Claritin is helpful although your latest message that Benadryl is working for you is very encouraging.

I apologize for going silent for a few days. I have yet another respiratory illness. It's such a terrible year for that, right? My next cancer surveillance appointment at Mayo is next week and I have to do what my primary care physician says: rest, drink lots of liquids.

I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed for you and hoping the pain subsides.

I do have an achiness in my lower back, hips and legs. Ive been blaming it on lack of excercise, I do stil have vaginal burning and pain so its difficult to get things done. Other then that I am also just over one month out of treatment ending, which was 5 weekks internal radiation. 5 chemo once a week and 5 internal radiation. Except for the vaginal irritation ( I do treat with creams and pain meds) I feel good. The fatique is gone, I am eating again. I do urinate more frequently, but bowels are regular and with a softener are easy. Scans are scheduled for the 17th. So we will see whats next.