Adjuvant brachytherapy or observation only?

Hi Mrs BJH, sorry that you're going through it somewhat. I hope that your news at the end of May is positive. 

Thank you for responding and for the CRUK link.

I'm pretty sure my diagnosis is not serous but pure endometrioid .....but still grade 3. This is where I'm coming unstuck because everything I'm reading (Macmillan, cancer research, eve appeal etc) states that grade 3 is more likely to spread and has a higher risk of recurrence whereas the oncologist seemed to have me in the low risk category. I'm getting very confused with all the mixed messages! 

So far I haven't 'met' anyone with the same diagnosis who was casually offered the choice as I have been. Reading between the lines endometrioid seems less aggressive than serous but they are both classes as grade 3 so I'm getting myself in a bit of a tizz about it all! 

I've left a message with one of the surgical CNSs (I seem to have collected a few CNSs so I'm never sure who to ring) and I think I'll ring the brachytherapy nurse too because she has direct access to the oncologist I met last week. 

Ho hum, I'm sure I'll get there eventually! X

Hi Marmite, that's interesting, the pamphlet I got said nothing about dilator use! I do remember the nurse (who was in with the consultant) said that I'd have to be having sex twice a week if I didn't use the dilators. Hubbie's eyes lit up of course but there wasn't any mention of a timeframe. 

I do have her number so I will call her, thank you :)

Hi Jigsaw, yes, I'm definitely getting my knickers in a knot! 

You're so right about all the oncologists having different opinions and attitudes - I had that with two of them in the same room! The consultant said brachytherapy doesn't prevent distant recurrence, it just helps to reduce the risk of local but because the pelvic organs can only receive a certain dose of radiation in a lifetime then any previous brachytherapy has to be added in to the equation. That fits with the lower dose comment from your oncologist.

I'm wondering if I should wait and see if it does recur and then I'll be in a position to blast it with everything!!

Hi Gwendot, thank you for responding. 

Because you had chemo, I'm guessing your cancer was serous or clear cell?? 

Up until I saw the oncologist, I was always told follow on treatment from the hysterectomy would be at least brachytherapy - probably because of the grade 3 risk - so it has completely thrown me that the oncologist didn't seem too concerned and has put the ball back in my court.

I've left a message with the surgical CNS to see if she can get an opinion from the surgical consultant too.  

I hope your side effects clear up quickly x

I only got that leaflet at my pre brachy chat with the nurse last week. Do you know whereabouts in your uterus your cancer was? Mine was a polyp just above the cervix and a few cells were found on top of the cervix so brachy makes particular sense for me as I understand the most common recurrence area is where the cervix was. 

I've just had a chat with the surgical CNS and she told me that the cancer was at the top of my womb in the fundus. The previous surgery removed a polyp, which was found to be cancerous and therefore how this all started, but I have no idea where that was found. 

The CNS has gone off to chat to the consultant and see what she can find out for me. 

Hope all goes well with the brachytherapy tomorrow x

Hi

Im having exactly the same dilemma as you. My final stage is 1b, grade 2. Greater than 50% myometrial invasion and focal LVSI. 
I wondered what route you decided to take?

I hope it worked out for you. 

Could I just say that it’s a lot easier to try and prevent recurrence than it is to treat recurrence.

Hi Dolly

I had 3xbrachytherapy in August 2022. Treatment is easy quick and just a little uncomfortable. I wore a dress/skirt to make it quick and easy to take panties off abd Treatment done. I had for couple of weeks following, occasionally a sudden urge to go toilet but then it calmed and I can honestly say I have no after effects from Brachytherapy.  Like Marmitefan59 says, it's easier to prevent than treat a recurrence. That was ALWAYS my pattern of thought. The chemotherapy i had was more challenging than Brachytherapy.

I also did research and watched a YouTube video which helped me understand the process.

Good luck with your choice.

Thank you